Victoria Square’s popular Park & Stride fashion show returns on Friday 19 May. For one last time, Victoria Square’s carpark will be transformed, as a huge catwalk showcases the latest spring/summer trends in a grand finale to the series.
The unique underground location and concrete catwalk promises to provide a stark contrast to this season’s colourful eye-catching looks from Victoria Square’s top fashion brands, hand-picked by personal shopper, Katherin Ferries and Cool FM’s Rebecca McKinney.
The popular event takes place during Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 23 May), and, as part of a new partnership with local mental health charity, MindWise, Victoria Square will use the event to raise awareness and funds to support the charity’s vital work.
Drawing on this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme of anxiety, Victoria Square is partnering with MindWise to make ‘mental health everyone’s business’, highlighting the impacts of this common, but often misunderstood mental health condition.
Anxiety disorders affect over 8 million people in the UK. That equates to just over 1 in 10 of us. 75% of mental illnesses start before a person’s 18th birthday, while generalised anxiety disorder is most common in people aged between 35 and 59. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed, although this may be because they’re also more likely to ask for help
MindWise believes that education about the lived experiences of people living with anxiety disorders in Northern Ireland and is encouraging everybody to have open and honest conversations with family, friends and work colleagues about anxiety and to learn about the differences between some of the most common anxiety disorders.
Encouraging open dialogue on these issues, in the coming weeks, Victoria Square will highlight the experiences of staff, models and presenters involved in the show to normalise discussion around mental health.
Commenting on the partnership, Michelle Greeves, centre manager, Victoria Square said: “As a centre, we’re passionate about providing a space for events with purpose. With the grand finale of our Park and Stride fashion show series, we wanted to do something a little different. We’re proud to support MindWise and use this event to launch our partnership for the year ahead. Mental health is everyone’s business and through this event, we will not just raise vital funds to support the charity’s work but also raise awareness of how people can understand and improve their mental health.”
Anne Doherty, chief executive, MindWise said: “We’re excited to partner with Victoria Square to give a front row seat to discussions around mental health. MindWise has adopted a Trauma Informed Life Cycle Approach to mental health and wellbeing with the overarching aim being to more fully support existing and future generations with their mental health and well-being.Through our children and young people programme, MindWise offers schools and community groups in Northern Ireland the opportunity to change the conversation and make mental health everyone’s business. The support and platform of this partnership with Victoria Square will further this mission.”
Park and Stride 3.0 will take place on Friday 19 May.Tickets cost £20 and include a goody bag with a £10 VSQ gift card and treats. Proceeds from ticket sales and a luxury prize draw will raise funds for MindWise. For further information and to book, visit www.victoriasquare.com
