Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s annual winter celebration, LYNFROST, for inpatients suffering mental ill health and their families, is to return for its second year on Wednesday 18 December.

Following the success of its introduction in 2018, LYNFROST, which is the seasonal winter version of its larger, sister summer celebration LYNFEST, returns for 2019. This follows a hugely positive response from inpatient feedback, who wanted the music and arts festival to be a more regular event.

The idea for LYNFEST originated from the ‘Recovery College’ based at Moorlands View, the Trust’s hospital facility for men who are recovering from mental illness. It soon grew to be fully inclusive of any inpatient staying in the Trust’s care, including patients and staff at Airedale Centre for Mental Health.

LYNFROST will see the favourite elements of the summer event return with a seasonal twist. Entertainment will include an original ‘panto-drama’, written by, directed and starring patients and staff at Lynfield Mount Hospital. The drama uses humour to highlight the importance of acceptance and tolerance, and the damage that can be caused by being judgmental. The lineup will also include a live band, craft activities such as card-making and cake-decorating, a live sing-along and a photo booth to capture the excitement on the day.

Bev Knaggs, Older Peoples and Learning Disabilities Service Manager at the Care Trust said: “We’re excited to be holding the Trust’s second LYNFROST festival, following the huge success of its launch in 2018. Events like these take teamwork, which forms an important part of an individual’s recovery, creating a real sense of community within the hospital and removing hierarchy and stigma. We’re looking forward to seeing all the hard work of our service users and staff pay off; it will be a really special way to mark the winter solstice and look forward to the New Year.”