Music and the Mind - Open Up!

A group of Service Users, Carers and Health Care Professionals have
joined forces to create an exciting community interest company to
produce music and arts events as the vehicle to encourage Mental
Health Awareness and tackle the stigma sometimes felt by those
experiencing mental health problems.

The new company, “Music and the Mind”, is the brainchild of Brian
Gumbley, widely known in the industry as ‘The Jazzman’. Brian, 61,
from Preston has been producing Jazz events across the county for many
years. He said; “It’s been a long running dream of mine to set up a
viable not-for-profit company with service user involvement at its
heart.

Danny “disco’’ Johnson, Marketing Director and former nightclub
manager, who lives in Blackburn, added: The entertainment events we
produce and artists involved will be of the highest standard and will
attract a wide spectrum of the general public. We have created several
sub brands targeting specific demographics as we realize its not a one
glove fits all solution. The events themselves will be exciting,
entertaining and fun, as well as conveying the background message of
mental health awareness, something our guests will hopefully choose to
take away and think about.

Neil Caton, Music and the Mind’s Wellbeing Director and Governor of
Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust added, “Music and the Mind will
be producing many other amazing music and arts events in Lancashire
and Cumbria over the coming years and there are loads of opportunities
to get involved. We’re always on the look out for new artists and
performers as well as providing a steppingstone for people who want to
assist in all aspect of organizing and promoting of events.

Brian, Danny and Neil have been affected by mental health issues in
their lives and
are keen to emphasize that there is light at the end of what is
sometimes a very dark tunnel. The company, which has taken over 10
months to set up, utilizes the valuable skills of service users and is
already catapulting those involved down the road to recovery.

Time to Change, who have Ruby Wax and Steven Fry on board as ambassadors, are currently bolstering Music and the Mind by providing excellent
support, training and advice. Funding awarded via the National Lottery
has also helped to kick start the company and arrange its first
production. “Beat the Blues’ at the Grand in Clitheroe on Saturday 2nd
May, where the line-up features a mixture
of Service Users and established artists. On hand will be various
partner organizations offering informal advise on a range of topics in
the relaxed and family friendly environment.

For more details visit the website www.beattheblues.org.uk