Source FM's 'A Space to Speak Your Mind' mental health radio project is hoping to expand on its success, and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money to do so.
Made in collaboration with the mental health charity Cornwall Mind and with support from Cornwall Rural Community Charity, 'A Space to Speak Your Mind' is a radio show and podcast that focusses on the mental health benefits of giving members of the community a voice.
One of the volunteers working on the show, Jane Harvey, said: “Working on the A Space to Speak Your Mind team has given me the opportunity to learn about community radio and the confidence to participate in presenting and editing content which has led to my producing my own show on Source FM.”
Another volunteer said: “Attending the project has given me a focus and is a really good distraction from my mental health issues”.
Each month content is created around different topics that keep people up to date with the latest resources and news about mental health in Cornwall. Overseeing the show are a team of volunteers who all have personal experience of mental health issues.
Team members Jessica Parr and Anne Bala
Jerry Padfield, who runs the project, had the original idea of setting up the project in 2019.
Jerry said: “The show has been very successful so far; we are up to our tenth show, which has given the opportunity for people in the team to gain confidence from their participation and even for starting their own shows on Source FM.
"We now feel the time is right to secure funding for our future.”
Jon Gladstone, business development manager for Cornwall Mind, said: “We are raising money to ensure the long-term future of A Space to Speak Your Mind and to be able to expand the project to include more people on the team and cover more parts of Cornwall.
"The money will pay for an expert to make us more secure and to pay the wages for a dedicated facilitator. This person will be employed by Cornwall Mind and there is potential for this role to grow.”
This project will receive all pledges made by July 20. The Crowdfunder campaign can be found here.
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