DJ workshops for people with severe mental illness extended after successful first year

A project using DJ and rap workshops to support people with severe mental illness in Sussex will continue for another year.

The scheme was launched by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust following a generous donation from DJ and musician Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim.

Over the past 12 months, more than 30 workshops have been held in community venues and inpatient settings across Sussex. The sessions have helped participants express themselves, build confidence, and develop creative skills through music and performance.

The Fatboy Slim DJ Workshop Programme was developed by Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist Natalie Rowlands and delivered in partnership with the Trust’s charity, Heads On.

Participants aged between 23 and 58, living with conditions including schizophrenia, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders, have taken part in the sessions. Many have described gaining joy, motivation, and self-belief from the experience — as well as hands-on coaching and advice from Norman Cook himself.

The first year of the programme concluded with Sound Minds, an evening of live performances at Rockwater Hove on 24 September. The event featured 13 participants from the workshops, alongside rapper Gramski and headliner Fatboy Slim, showcasing the skills developed through the project.

Following its success and continued support from Norman Cook, the programme is now set to run for another year.

Norman Cook said: “Being part of the Fatboy DJ Workshops has been an incredibly moving experience. Watching participants - many of whom have faced significant mental health challenges -discover the joy of mixing music and expressing themselves creatively, has been truly inspiring. Music has played a vital role in my own mental health journey, and it's a privilege to share that healing power with others. I'm thrilled to perform alongside these talented individuals at the Sound Minds event, celebrating their achievements and the transformative impact of music.”

At the moment, people with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years before the rest of the population and can face multiple barriers to participation in the arts. The Fatboy Slim DJ Workshop Programme is part of Heads On's approach to Creative Recovery, working towards reducing this mortality gap by increasing people's confidence in managing their mental health, improving their quality of life and increasing their social connections. The programme has seen people transformed through the healing power of music, making friendships and developing their creativity.

Natalie Rowlands, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, who developed the programme, said: “The Sound Minds event is a celebration of music, resilience, and community - highlighting our amazing participants and the power of music to support mental health. I’m excited to bring people together, dancing side by side, connecting through music, and breaking down stigma. It’s about more than music - it’s about building confidence, connection, and joy."