Festival On The Farm – Continually Raising Money and Awareness for Mental Health in Swindon.

Service users from Windswept Mental Health Rehabilitation Ward were funded by the Duke of Beaufort to engage in music studio sessions which enabled them to record a song of their choice. They have been able to experience singing, playing instruments and recording and producing their own track which was then performed live to over 2000 people at ‘Festival On the Farm’ 2023.

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Story

People with mental health difficulties say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives. People are unable to find work, engage in positive relationships or can be socially excluded from mainstream society.

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It is for this reason that Occupational Therapist, Theresa York on Windswept Ward, broke down some of these barriers and gave service users the opportunity to visit a local music studio and record a song that was performed at the festival. 

The local music studio was Mooncalf Studios which is in a beautiful setting just outside Swindon.

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Service users chose the song, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey and The Windswept Massive Group were given the opportunity to perform at Festival on the Farm, 2023. A very emotional experience for all involved!!

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Every year, Festival on the Farm raises money for local mental health charities in the name of John Green, an outstanding local musician who very sadly took his own life in 2019. Acts perform on the ‘John Green Stage’ in order to keep his memory alive but also raise awareness of and money in support of mental health and suicide prevention.

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With the money raised from the festival, the Windswept Massive were then able to return to the studio and record another single. A Christmas No.1, ‘Run’ by Snow Patrol. ‘Run’ was led by Paul Metcalfe, another outstanding local singer and guitarist who is also a member of the Festival team. Paul sadly lost his own Brother to suicide.