The project will target young male and female patients from all the diverse communities of Leicester who experience severe and enduring mental health problems, and are some of the most vulnerable and socially isolated members of those communities. This group of mental health service users traditionally find it difficult to engage with meaningful activities either as in-patients or on discharge. Our pilot work suggests that music is the way forward in connecting with this group of vulnerable and marginalised young adults. Our experienced participatory artists will deliver fifty sound production sessions on wards at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit and also with patients at The Herschel Prins secure unit. We will then offer a further fifty follow up sessions in the community. Sessions in the community will include the possibility of performances and sharing of work via social media and local community radio stations.

What we'll deliver:

• Fifty sound productions sessions on mental health wards
• Fifty follow up sessions in the community
• Performances in the community
• Sharing of music via social media and local community radio
• End of project celebration event

Why it's a great idea:

- We will be engaging with some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded members of the diverse communities of Leicester. - Our project will directly be addressing the over representation of people from our BAME communities on mental health wards specifically under sections of the mental health act. - Our project will be dedicated to the BrightSparks philosophy of promoting positive images of mental health via the arts. - This project will be subject to an ongoing evaluation which will enable a flexibility of delivery to what the participants demand. - This evaluation will also gather data and feedback from participants, and professionals to ensure that it is delivering recovery focussed outcomes as per the validated CHIME model of care. - Through our exsisting networks and via our participatory artists we are well connected to various organisations such as HQ Sound Studios, EAVA Radio, 2Funky Arts and Soft Touch Arts which will allow us to involve all where possible.

Steps to get it done:

• Commencing sound production sessions
• Delivering activities in the community
• Delivering performances
• Sharing Youtubes on social media

BrightSparks has a track record of working closely with the Arts in Mental Health Co-ordinators at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust who will support the project throughout in accessing wards and supporting the mental health service users involved. This will allow us to engage with high risk service users who may experience complex issues around risk management and drug + substance use.