Freedom of Mind Festival: creating positive conversations about mental health and wellbeing

A new mental health and wellbeing festival is coming to Bristol in the autumn, which aims to bring people together for positive conversations and to make the city happier and healthier. The organisers are looking for ideas and contributions to their developing programme.

About Freedom of Mind

The Freedom of Mind Festival is a series of events which will take place in venues across Bristol from 30 September to 10 October 2016. Freedom of Mind is a predominantly youth led, voluntary organisation and they have already forged partnerships with several organisations, including Bristol City Council, Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group, Off the Record, Festival of Ideas, Incredible Edible Bristol, Young Healthwatch and Bristol Independent Mental Health Network.

They have established a committee from a wide range of backgrounds and experience who all share a passion for bettering mental health and emotional wellbeing for individuals and the city.

Contributing to the programme

They have already started working on the initial and final events, a fundraising gig at the O2 Academy and a day conference on mental health in Bristol. The rest of the festival consists of events that follow their three key aims: conversation, education and change. They want to run events in partnership with organisations across the city to cover a variety of wellbeing related themes, such as creative expression, community building, mindfulness, physical fitness and more.

Mental illness can affect anyone, so Freedom of Mind is about giving us the tools to be able to talk about our emotional wellbeing and care for ourselves and others. This city-wide platform will stimulate discussion and teach individuals and communities accessible and practical ways to improve their emotional wellbeing. Through recognising the social barriers and personal hurdles that we may have to overcome, we will be better equipped to establish a positive mindset and tackle stigma head on.

How can you help?

Freedom of Mind need help in spreading the word, contacting groups and individuals who are involved in activities which work to improve emotional wellbeing. They want to know what is already being planned during this time, what they can help with, how they can improve the programme and suggestions of other events they can put on.

If you have any thoughts or want to get involved then please contact Katie Finch on [email protected] or 07422 516430.