To raise awareness of mental health in the two towns, Chad's Charity for 2008 — Central Notts MIND — joined forces with a number of other mental health service providers to hold two special events.

The awareness days were called 'Unwind Your Mind' and were held at the Buttercross in Mansfield and Sutton's Idlewells Shopping Centre.

They aimed to promote the services available to those with mental health difficulties while reducing the stigma attached to mental illnesses.

Partners at the events, held between 4th to 10th October, included primary care trusts, Building Blocks, Framework, Rethink, Advocacy Alliance and Mansfield Community Voluntary Service.

Service providers displayed information leaflets on a range of issues and services which they offer, allowing people to gain knowledge of services and access support to help with their needs.

Girish Ravat, general manger at Central Notts MIND, told Chad both events were very successful.

"People who attended the events gained useful information while having fun joining in with games relating to mental health and also enjoyed sampling a chocolate fountain," said Girish.

"As an organisation we learnt a lot about what other service providers have to offer, which we can use to help support our clients in the most appropriate ways.

"I would like to say a big thank you to all the agencies involved and also to Mansfield and Ashfield district councils for enabling the events to take place."

From 7th November Central Notts MIND's Mansfield activity centre, on St John's Street, will be holding social afternoons. The afternoon will include refreshments and games from 1.30pm.

lAnybody interested in becoming a Central Notts MIND volunteer or trustee or who would like to organise a charity event or make a donation to Central Notts MIND should contact Girish Ravat on Mansfield 658044.

Chad is on the look out for a new charity for 2009.

Organisations interested should write in with details of the charity and the project for which funding is required.

The charity must directly benefit the Mansfield and Ashfield area.

Write to: The Editor, Chad, 121 Newgate Lane, Mansfield, NG18 2PA.