My Story

In November last year, my colleague Viki and I set up Many Minds; a mental health charity that uses performance arts as a tool to promote positive mental health and reduce stigma and discrimination. Many people thought it was a bit of a risky move to start something new in times of cuts and austerity but we could see a growing need for what we were doing and could see that the work was having a huge impact on participants. Five months on and we have run workshops and made and shown performances to over 200 people. We work in a mental health secure unit for 13-18 years olds on a weekly basis, have made 3 performances with young people with experiences of homelessness and mental il-health and run a weekly session with adults who identify with experiences of mental ill-health.

We watch people come out of their shells, start to feel comfortable expressing themselves, be able to laugh and play and interact with each other. We are building a community of people who come together to be creative which is something you cannot get on the NHS but acts as a powerful medicine.

I feel inspired everyday by our members. Despite multiple adversites, they keep going, keep fighting, keep creating and produce incredibly gripping, real and moving performances that help change the public face of mental illness, challenge perceptions and start conversations.

I am doing this cycle for them. So that we can continue to work with them and reach even more people that can benefit from being involved. Please give whatever you can. Every penny makes a difference. If you want to find out more, go to our website www.many-minds.org