A FORMER River City star is to produce a stage play with members of Helensburgh’s mental health hub.

Libby McArthur, who played Gina Rossi in the BBC drama, will step in and offer guidance to budding thespians at Jean’s Bothy.

The script explores the theme of youngsters with disabilities in mainstream education which encouraged two more well-known actors, Kate Donnelly and Clare Hemphill, to get involved as they both have children with special needs.

Hub manager Katrina Sayer said: “Seeing professional actors pick up your script and perform it has been a real privilege for us at Jean’s Bothy.

“Members who have been involved in the whole process have seen their own confidence increase, learning new skills around script writing, film production and so much more.”

The drama focuses on two mothers in a story of hope, determination, equality of access and fairness in a fight for their children to be included.

READ MORE: Jean's Bothy team 'shocked' as Helensburgh mental health hub crowned community project of the year

“The process relied on a lot of research into experiences of children with disabilities in mainstream education, and also the experiences of the parents,” Katrina added.

“Our members really got involved in the research and learnt a lot.”

Libby praised Katrina and the workshop attendees.

She said: “I was very impressed by the quality of the script and the members were involved step by step from the blank page through to completion.

“In addition to it being a great piece of theatre an important issue is being explored by the piece.”

The actors attended the Helensburgh hub on Tuesday for a further reading of the script.

Opened in 2018 to improve community-based mental health services for people living throughout Helensburgh and Lomond, the hub is a partnership between ENABLE Scotland, Argyll and Bute’s health and social care partnership, the Ministry of Defence and the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, the umbrella body for the area’s charitable groups.

In September the Advertiser reported how the group had beat off stiff competition to be named Scotland’s community project of the year at the Scotland’s Champions awards - an accolade Katrina admitted had left her “shocked and a little bit overwhelmed”.

The hub has now set its sights on raising enough funding to see the project through and anyone who can support is encouraged to contact Katrina at the hub on 01436 679218.