Music legend Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook) is helping change lives across Sussex not through chart-topping hits but through a series of inspirational DJ and rap workshops designed for people living with serious mental illness.
The Fatboy Slim DJ workshop program, launched by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and charity Heads On, has already delivered 30 sessions in the past year, giving participants the chance to mix tracks, perform live and discover new confidence through music.
Led by clinical expert occupational therapist Natalie Rowlands and donated directly by Norman Cook, the workshop reached people aged 23 to 58 living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other complex mental health conditions.
The first year concluded with Sound Minds, a night of live performance held at Rockwater Hove. Here, 13 contestants took the stage with Fatboy Slim and rapper Gramski to celebrate creativity, recovery and connection through sound.
“It was truly inspiring to watch the participants discover the joy of mixing music and expressing themselves creatively.
“Music has always played an important role in my mental health journey, and it’s a privilege to be able to share its healing power with others.”
Thanks to the success of the program, the workshops will continue for another year to help break down barriers and reduce stigma around mental illness through the power of rhythm, creativity, and community.
