Award-Winning approach to mental health
A Sussex initiative that blends music, creativity, and wellbeing has earned a prestigious health trust award. The project, led by Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) and supported by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the charity Heads On, has been recognised for its innovative approach to mental health. By using DJ workshops as a vehicle for conversation, coping strategies, and community connection, the program aims to reduce stigma and improve access to support for people living with mental health challenges.
How the program works
The project invites participants to engage in hands-on DJ sessions, learning the basics of turntablism, beat matching, and sound mixing while also exploring mindful practices, stress management, and emotional regulation. The structure is designed to be inclusive, welcoming people with varying levels of musical experience. Facilitators emphasize safe spaces, peer support, and playful creativity as core elements of the healing process.
Role of Fatboy Slim and partners
Norman Cook, known globally as Fatboy Slim, lends his expertise and star power to the program, helping to destigmatise mental health conversations and encourage young adults to seek help without fear of judgment. The collaboration with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust ensures clinical oversight and pathways to care, while the charity Heads On provides youth-focused outreach and peer-led support that keeps the program accessible and relatable.
Impact on participants and communities
Early feedback from participants highlights improvements in mood, self-esteem, and social connectedness. Many attendees report feeling empowered to express themselves creatively and to reach out to friends and family when they’re struggling. In addition, the workshops have created a ripple effect in local communities, with participants often sharing what they’ve learned with peers, teachers, and workplace colleagues, helping to normalize conversations about mental health.
Why music and creativity matter in mental health
Music therapy has long been recognised as a powerful tool in mental health care. For some people, DJing provides a non-verbal outlet to process feelings, regulate arousal, and build coping strategies that can be applied in daily life. The Fatboy Slim-led program situates creative practice within a supportive clinical framework, which helps bridge gaps between community-led activities and formal mental health services.
A model for the future
With the award spotlighting the project, there is potential for expansion beyond Sussex. The model could be adapted to other regions, pairing local artists and NHS services to deliver scalable, low-barrier programs that reach people who might not engage with traditional mental health services. The emphasis on co-creation—with participants shaping song selections, workshop format, and group norms—ensures the work remains relevant and responsive to community needs.
What this means for policy and practice
Recognising the value of arts-led mental health initiatives could influence policy decisions and funding priorities. If more health trusts invest in creative interventions that reduce loneliness and stigma, we may see stronger referrals to services, improved community resilience, and more sustainable wellbeing outcomes. The Fatboy Slim project demonstrates how celebrity partnerships, when aligned with clinical governance and community input, can amplify impact without compromising safety or ethics.
Looking ahead
As the program continues to grow, organisers hope to capture longer-term outcomes, including sustained reductions in isolation and improved help-seeking behaviour. They also aim to diversify participants, ensuring accessibility for people with different cultural backgrounds, ages, and abilities. The award serves as both recognition and motivation—an encouragement to keep turning the decks, and the conversations, toward better mental health for all.
