My name is Calvin, and I am the organizer of the Dorset Mind Big Busk.

The concept of the BIG Busk is to bring the busking and live music community together to promote live music and to support young people’s mental health.

As a young person, with an autistic spectrum disorder, I struggled throughout school with social connections and was often subjected to bullying and isolation. This led to me experiencing severe mental health illness for most of my childhood and early teenage years, culminating in periods where my mental health symptoms were so bad I was unable to attend school, or participate in social activities, eventually leading to mental health crisis, self-harm and attempts on my own life.

The turning point for my recovery from mental health illness was discovering music and the live music community in Dorset. Through music I found a way to express myself and the local music scene made me feel welcome and accepted for who I was.

Furthermore, through performing music locally I also became involved as a Young Ambassador for Dorset Mind. They have provided me with mental health support, education but have also helped me to grow my confidence and encouraged me to be comfortable being myself. I am forever grateful for their support, and now as a young Trustee on the governing board, the charity holds a special place in my heart.

With one in five young people facing mental health illness, providing support right now is essential.

I would love as many people as possible to join the BIG Busk and support it by donating an hour of their time to busk and raise money for Dorset Mind. Please contact calvin.glen@dorsetmind.uk for more information.

Dorset Mind is a local charity who has supported Dorset’s mental health for over 75 years. They connect and change minds, bringing people together to make genuine change within their communities.

The charity supports both adults and children by delivering life-changing services, including active monitoring and triage in Doctor’s surgeries, counselling, wellbeing groups, and mentoring.

Volunteers are at the heart of Dorset Mind working across the charity, for more information on roles check our website .

www.dorsetmind.uk.