First Ever Charity Music Download Drive to Promote Mental Health

The following came through from littlewing, which is behind the new music service at thebutterflycollection.org.uk.

About the Charity Music Download Service

A cross-section of musical artists from pop to rock, blues and folk, have pledged their support to www.thebutterflycollection.org.uk by providing their music for free.

Music lovers from across Scotland and beyond can now add to their collections with the knowledge that every penny they spend on tracks will contribute to raising awareness of mental health issues.

The ‘Butterfly Collection’ has been set up by ‘Littlewing’, a one-stop shop service providing key information on mental health issues and support services to individuals and groups in Dundee.

Funds raised from the innovative online initiative will be used to set up a mixture of contemporary mental health projects including organising anti-stigma music concerts, film work, alternative therapy sessions and a creative arts gallery with a mental health theme.

Ron Lindsay, Project Co-ordinator of Littlewing said:

We are absolutely thrilled to be able to launch the Butterfly Collection as it’s such a modern way to raise funds. By creating an avenue for many people who are sympathetic towards mental ill health to support vulnerable people with just a click of a mouse, people who want to show their support of those with mental health problems, can do so easily. That will enable us put into action projects that will help to engage with people and combat unacceptable misconceptions about mental health problems.

Ron, who is also a songwriter and musician with a passion for the way in which creative arts can contribute to well-being, added:

Music is without doubt one of the great pleasures in life and something that can bring joy and happiness to us all. Hearing an old tune can bring back great feel-good memories and when we feel low, music can help elevate our mood. Making music and being involved in the creative arts can play a part in helping people along the road to recovery from mental health problems.

David Arcari, one of the rock and blues musicians who has donated his music to the site said:

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to contribute to the Butterfly Collection as people buying tracks will now have the satisfaction of making a worthwhile donation as well as the enjoyment of new music which they may otherwise not have been exposed to. Music is such an important part of life to creators and performers as well as listeners and this initiative gives contributing artists an opportunity to take their music to new audiences.

Linda Dunion, Campaign Director for the national ‘see me’ campaign commented:

The Butterfly Collection is a very exciting initiative and we’re delighted to support Littlewing to fund their valuable work as it opens up a whole new way to support experiencing mental ill health. In spite of the fact that mental health problems are so common there is still a great deal of stigma attached to them. The Butterfly Collection is a great way for people to show support for others and make a difference through music.

About Littlewing and The Butterfly Collection

• The Butterfly Collection can be viewed and music purchased at www.thebutterflycollection.org.uk
• For more information on Ron Lindsay please visit www.butterflycollection.org.uk
• Littlewing is a forum for people who experience mental health problems
• More information about Littlewing based in Dundee can be found at www.littlewing.org.uk
• More information about contributing musican David Arcari can be found at www.davearcari.com

About ‘see me’

• The ‘see me’ anti-stigma campaign is run by an alliance of five Scottish mental health organisations: Highland Users Group (HUG), National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), Penumbra, Royal College of Psychiatrists (Scottish Division) and Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
• ‘see me’ is funded by the Scottish Executive as part of the Executive’s National Programme for Improving the Mental Health and Well-being of the Scottish Population.
• The ‘see me’ campaign features a progrmme of events and local and national media initiatives to reduce the stigma faced by people with mental health problems throughout Scotland.