Wakefield celebrates wellbeing at festival!

South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust held a Festival of Wellbeing at Wakefield Cathedral today to celebrate World Mental Health Day. The event was a great success and attracted hundreds of people from across the district who showed their support and learnt about ways to their minds healthy.

The celebrations included taster sessions for arts and crafts and complimentary therapy sessions. There was also plenty of entertainment including poetry reading, belly dancers and juggling stilt walkers. There were information stalls at the event and displays helping people understand the importance of looking after their mental wellbeing. Information for families and carers was also available.

Ann Brown, who is a public representative on the Trust’s member’s council said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the day. There has been loads of information available about wellbeing and plenty of enthusiasm from everyone involved."

Dawn Bland, who attended the event to promote her drop in group, Positive Thinking said, "Today has been about reaching out into the community and breaking down stigma. Trust members, service users and carers have all got involved and it’s been great to see so many smiley, happy faces."

Chair of the Trust, Joyce Catterick said, "This event was a great success and gave local people the opportunity to come together and celebrate wellbeing. It gave people the chance to find out more about local services and how to keep their minds healthy, all while having lots of fun."

She added, "We now have 10,000 members joined up to the organisation and it was great to see so many of them turn out to this event and share in the celebrations."

The World Mental Health Day celebrations will continue in Wakefield, with the Trust holding a further event for people with learning disabilities on Friday 10th October at the Education Centre at Fieldhead. The day will include dance and drama and light refreshments.