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So I was able to wear several hats at once on Saturday. It was the annual Green Fair in Victoria Park in Portsmouth and I was there bright and early helping set up the stand for the Human Library, the anti-prejudice movement which I and a fabulous lady, Carolyn Barber, coordinate in Hampshire. What on earth is that?! I hear you, this is the place you can find people who have experienced prejudice and stigma and take them out for a 'read' aka conversation, to help dispel some of the preconceived ideas you may have about the issue that causes them to be stigmatised. It is a great initiative started approximately 20 years ago now in Denmark. As well as this I had for sale some of the books my company http://thesanitycompany.co.uk/ has produced, aimed at helping children and young people improve their mental health and develop good problem solving skills. Our adopted book, written by Carolyn, http://www.lulu.com/shop/carolyn-barber/the-laypersons-guide-to-good-mental-health-an-a-z-for-a-happier-life/paperback/product-21190750.html;jsessionid=17A18ADFF03910557CE8C1A657DBC413 A Laypersons Guide to Good Mental Health was also there and selling well. So that's two hats and seeing as this is the WB blog it will not surprise you to hear that we were also playing a set on one of the acoustic stages in the park. When I say acoustic I do mean completely acoustic. It was an experience, I sang as loud as I could, Andy and Blackie played as loud as they could and only Simon has a practice amp which ran on rechargeable batteries to help his bass along a bit. It was good fun if a little tiring and I was a bit hoarse afterwards! There was a very appreciative core audience and lots of people passing through, some who would stop and hear the songs for a bit and others who just smiled as they walked by. 

So, last night I caught up with an old friend who, like me, has an interest in mixing business with pleasure and has arranged two music festivals aimed as raising awareness of mental health in the community. The Tonic 2 festival is the one pending  https://www.facebook.com/events/115800648623203/ and the line up is really terrific. Tickets are £20 a pop but so worth it for the amazing variety of acts acclaimed both nationally and locally, you get to see for your money! I am always humbled by the amount people will do for a good cause, remember the 2011 blogs about Mental Health Everyone's Business, and Lisa Holland is an inspiration having turned a dream into a reality for the second year on the trot. Her and Steph Langhan, who I haven't met yet, have worked like Trojan's to bring Portsmouth a truly terrific event which is due to kick off on the 12th October, so get your tickets in quick, I will be there 12pm to 2am. What sort of condition I will be in by 2am is anyone's guess but I will manage  Hope to catch some of you there!