A belated update on our May fundraisers for Mind Cambridge before we launch into exciting future plans.

What was achieved? We’re happy to report that the Mind shop in Cambridge is well supported. Besides the fabulously talented artists who performed in our busking sessions earlier this year, we made a lot of new connections. That includes some amazing new acts that have offered to play; and we received an invitation to talk about the project on Radio Cambridge.

Awareness is the most important aspect of The Fine Line Project’s mental health initiative, because normalising conversations around mood and state of mind can be, quite literally, life-saving. “I’m fine“, “All good“, “Great“, we all say it, whatever our exact words, but it’s always worth asking again, to get a more comprehensive answer. Better still, perhaps, offering a listening ear, “always here if you need or want to talk, or let’s just have a walk” is the best approach with those who are not immediately forthcoming. Mind Charity is always there, as are other fantastic organisations. Whatever you do, ask for help – it costs nothing and someone is ready to listen and advise. You are not alone.

We’re not “all good” at The Fine Line Project – we’re actually slightly disappointed that we didn’t raise more money from the May shop benefits. Total donations for the month were £210, with huge thanks to friends and strangers who pitched up on the days. Bearing in mind (pun alert) that the shop’s till was out of order for 10 days, including for the duration of Mental Health Awareness Week, that isn’t so bad. Resilience is key: the fact is, the money is a minor part in a bigger success story.

First up, the artists that performed were absolutely phenomenal, and we are feeling blessed that such big names volunteered to play. What’s more they played and sang brilliantly, and the sun shone, actually a bit too much for the last performance, which was a challenge with the shop facing due south – it was hot! And that wasn’t just the music.

BIGGEST thanks once again to Demian Dorelli for his heartfelt keyboard interpretations of some of Nick Drake’s repertoire; guitarist Rob Taylor for his pitch perfect medley of tunes; and Angie Collins, who performed solo (Josie tested positive for C-virus) delivering a powerful set of self-penned songs. Great artists make it happen – Cambridge, you rock!

Watch this space for our next move, and meanwhile, wherever you are, make sure you support your local Mind shop: donate, volunteer, shop, share this story, most of all, keep talking about mental health and keep yourself physically well too, it’s all interconnected.

With additional thanks to staff and volunteers at Mind Cambridge for assistance and good cheer on the days, as well as Will Hill for designing our flyers (and a WMHM logo), and our printers Cambridge-Printing.com. And thank you Terry for the great little line drawing of Rob performing!

Follow Mind Cambridge on Instagram, and The Fine Line Project via the links top right or further down this page.