I am shaving my head on the 29th May in aid of Tonic Music for Mental Health.
Tonic Music for Mental Health is a not-for-profit organisation based in the South-Coast of England. Tonic raises awareness and challenges the stigma associated with mental illness, through music and art based events. They aim to provide local music workshops, gigs, art groups and community projects. All music and art workshops they facilitate are free and open to all.
Music workshops help build confidence and self esteem. Art groups create artwork for Tonic gigs, Zines, music inspired beermats, crafts, street art, mindfulness colouring books, thought provoking affirmations and more. Weekly art & music groups take place at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea.
Tonic’s most recent campaign is to purchase instruments for all NHS psychiatric hospitals across the UK to help aid individual recovery through music. Tonic also provides voluntary and work experience opportunities for creative people who have direct experience of mental illness.
Tonic does not receive grants or funding, they are totally independent.
This year the team at Southsea Coffee have decided to focus their fund-raising efforts, both individually and collectively, on supporting Tonic. As part of the team, me and a couple of other ladies have been inspired to shave our heads.
Anyone that knows me will know that this is a HUGE thing for me. My hair currently reaches down to my waist, and I have never even had short hair.
Mental illness has affected my life, both directly and indirectly. The lack of awareness and the stigmatism surrounding this issue spurs me on to do this. I hope that it gets people talking, sharing and normalising their experiences. The money raised will be put to good use by Tonic in our local community.
Your generosity and support will be gratefully received.
More about Tonic: https://www.facebook.com/TonicMusicForMentalHealth/timeline
