Patient’s tale of asylum life

The arts and music event, from September 30 until October 5, focuses on health and wellbeing.

And an anti-stigma not-for-profit project will be helping to arrange free performances by solo artists to a nine-piece swing band – with every event free except a new play.

Preston-based Music and the Mind CIC has been set up and run by volunteers who are service users, carers and concerned professionals who are employed within the mental health care and support system of all three sectors, public, private and independent.

The group is set to perform Telling Lives in St John’s Minster and Arts Centre, Church Street, Preston, on Wednesday, October 2, from 6.30pm until 9pm.

Toni Stanczyk, volunteer and director with the body, said: “This play is part of the OPEN MIND festival 2013 in Preston from September 30 to October 5. This is an educational entertainment event of the arts and music, reflecting on health and wellbeing.

“This is the second year in motion and we would like to make as many people as possible aware of this event.

“Hopefully for the author and actors this will be the start of a great tour.

“During the festival there will also be information stands on health and wellbeing and free workshops on relaxation by the NHS, Information by Papyrus on the signs to look out for to prevent the suicide of young people, a workshop in Living with Stigma by Dr Arokia 
Antonsamy, clinical director of Adult Mental Health Network, plus a workshop on Alzheimer’s and dementia by 
Homeinstead.”

Telling Lives, A Drama of Asylum Life, will be repeated at Lancaster Library on Thursday, 
October 10, again starting at 6.30pm.