Award-winning festival hits all the right notes with patients

Our annual award-winning ‘LYNFEST’ festival, for inpatients experiencing mental health conditions and their families, returned on 26 June 2019.

LYNFEST showcases live performances from patients, staff, local performers and community-based arts providers.

Our event has proved so popular with patients and staff that a special winter celebration, ‘LYNFROST’ also took place Wednesday 19 December.

Chris Weston, Head of Occupational Therapy for the Care Trust’s Specialist In-patient services, said: “Now in its fourth year, LYNFEST is becoming a real focal point in the hospital calendar for patients, staff and others involved in the care of people with mental health conditions, in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. Through championing the fantastic skills and creativity of our service-users, staff, carers, and with the support of some brilliant local groups of musicians and artists, the festival helps to break down barriers and stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Year on year we are seeing more people getting involved in building our cultural capital in recovery. They are motivated to rally around the festival, creating a real sense of community and it being an opportunity to have fun and engage in activities, which ultimately brings us all together on the day.”

Our award-winning festival received a national accolade in 2017 for Breaking Down Barriers/Tackling Stigma in the National Service User Awards, which recognises remarkable achievements and innovations led by service users in secure mental health services nationwide.

As well as scooping an award in 2017, the team also won a National Service User Award in 2019 for the powerful and thought-provoking LYNFEST play ‘We are on a journey.’ Both awards demonstrate the positive effects arts can have on recovery and well-being for people experiencing mental ill health.