An open air music concert is being held on the Island on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August in Newport.

'Beat by the River’ is a charity concert organised in aid of the ‘England Fund for mental health’.    Mark South, who works for the Island's NHS Mental Health services as Clinical Lead for the Home Treatment Team, has organised the event. Mark actively supports the charity England Fund which raises funds for equipment and activities for mental health patients which are outside of the usual NHS remit.

Commenting ahead of the Bank Holiday music event, Mark said: “We are really excited about ‘Beat by the River’ and have been very fortunate in securing a number of really good Island bands. When I decided to organise a local music concert for the Island I didn’t anticipate receiving anywhere near this amount of interest.”

Mark continued: “The England Fund supports activities such as music groups and photography groups which help people to deal with their problems by distracting them, encouraging creativity and helping to build self esteem.  But the event is not just about raising additional funds.  We also want to try and reduce the stigma associated with mental health and increase public awareness of the many positive aspects of mental health care.”

A ground breaking campaign designed to stamp out the stigma of mental health problems on the Isle of Wight was launched earlier this year. Time to Change aims to change people’s attitudes to mental health and stop stigma ruining people’s lives.   The campaign is being led locally by NHS Isle of Wight following the national ‘Time to Change’ campaign – led by a coalition of national mental health charities.

Dr Dan Harwood, Clinical Director for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services on the Island said: “Mental Health problems affect over 18,000 people on the Island. Sadly 9 out of 10 people who experience mental health problems also experience stigma and discrimination that impact on their quality of life and can stop them from seeking help. We need to change the way many people view this and give them the knowledge they need to be less afraid of mental health problems and be able to support friends and family.”
The organisers of ‘Beat by the River’ have been overwhelmed with interest from local bands wanting to play at the event and so have had to organise a second stage to accommodate them. The bands playing on Bank Holiday Monday include The Kurves, Cozy Flashback, Medina High Choir, Rebound, Portable High, Papa Do Plenty and Dirty Habit, not forgetting a didgeridoo set.

‘Beat by the River‘ is being held at the Riverside Centre in Newport from 12 midday to 11pm. Admission is free. As well as great local music there will entertainment for children, a BBQ and various stalls.