Providing care and support for the local community for over 26 years Cornwall Mind is one of Cornwall’s hard-working charities aiming to fight the stigma of mental health.
With over 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health issue in Cornwall the need for good quality mental health support, advice, and information is vital. Now more so than ever this kind of support is needed. With the pandemic causing people to spend many months inside without having the constant support of friends and family,
Cornwall Minds mission is to provide support and empower anyone experiencing mental health problems; through campaigning to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding of mental health issues.
As Cornwall Mind is an independently registered and funded charity, they rely on the donations of the public to help provide this specialist care, through fundraisers and events.
One way that Cornwall Mind supports the people of Cornwall is through the A Space to Speak Your Mind radio show and podcast.
Formed by a group of individuals who have lived experience of mental health difficulties, A Space to Speak Your Mind was created to raise awareness about mental health in the South West and surrounding areas.
The radio show and podcast is in association with a local community radio station based in Falmouth: Source FM. The episode is aired on Source FM on the first Thursday of every month at 2pm, while also being aired on CHBN on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm and Radio St Austell Bay on the second Sunday of the month at 2pm.
Viewers can also find the episodes on Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, and Spotify as a monthly podcast.
Starting in October 2019, the group originally started producing a monthly radio show which then continued throughout lockdown, with plans to increase to weekly episodes. Not only does the podcast raise awareness of mental health, but provides the members with the opportunity to follow their passions by creating content, building confidence in one another and developing their radio presenting skills.
Although the topics raised on the podcasts differ, the main focus point is to discuss personal mental health stories that help to spread awareness of its importance across the county, while also showing viewers that it’s normal to experience negative mental health. The radio show and podcast also aims to offer solutions by incorporating local mental health services and charities with the help of Cornwall Mind.
A Space to Speak Your Mind have previously featured some high-profile guests to help to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. Just some of these individuals include X-Factor’s Jake Quickenden, Dame Zandra Rhodes and Henry Blofeld, Doctor Hilary Jones and others; as well as Cornwall Mind’s links with Joe Lycett, Kathryn Parkinson and Kim Wilde. This list will continue to grow, as the programme continues to seek new guests to take part in up and coming episodes.
If you are interested in the services that Cornwall Mind provides do not be afraid to contact the team of helpful and understanding staff members. Or if you are looking to support this amazing charity, head to the Cornwall Mind support us page, where you can find information on how to get involved with events and start your own fundraising for this important cause.
If you would like to be involved in the programme, don’t hesitate to get in contact with Cornwall Mind. The series is looking for guests who can bring stories about mental health to light, while helping to normalise the stigma around mental health and raise awareness about such an important topic.
