Our 30th anniversary will bring together 30 human-led stories - one for each year of AWARE NI. These are honest, first-hand reflections from people who have experienced mental health challenges, sharing what has helped them find calm, resilience and hope along the way.

Together, these stories form Look at Me Now - a powerful exhibition shaped by lived experience.

📍Millenium Forum, Derry/Londonderry

📅 Thursday 10 September - Saturday 10 October 2026 

🆓 Free entry - no booking required

This exhibition offers a space to pause, reflect and connect - bringing to life the human experiences behind the work we do every day.

We would love you to visit and experience these stories in person. By doing so, you'll be joining us in celebrating every other voice that has yet to be heard.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who supported the launch of LOOK AT ME NOW, AWARE NI's 30th anniversary mental health exhibition.

A special thank you goes to each of our exhibitors for courageously sharing their lived experience of mental ill-health. Every story is unique, but together they send a powerful message: living with mental ill-health is never a sign of weakness.

As Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said during the exhibition launch:

"The journey towards recovery requires strength, courage and resilience."

We are grateful to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt for officially opening the exhibition and for highlighting the importance of improving mental health across Northern Ireland, while recognising the vital role the community and voluntary sector plays in supporting individuals and communities.

Our thanks also go to MLA Justin McNulty, who travelled from Newry to attend the launch and continues to be a valued supporter of AWARE NI and local mental health services.

We are especially grateful to the team at Golden Thread Gallery for partnering with us to bring LOOK AT ME NOW to life. Their expertise, encouragement and dedication helped create a welcoming space where these powerful stories could be shared with the public. We are excited to take this exhibition to Derry/Londonderry in the autumn, hosted by the Millenium Forum.

Finally, thank you to everyone who visited the exhibition, shared it with others, and supported this milestone project. Your encouragement and generosity helped make LOOK AT ME NOW a meaningful celebration of 30 years of raising awareness, reducing stigma, and sharing hope for recovery.

Together, we are helping to create a Northern Ireland where no one has to face mental ill-health alone.