Music Production

Fatboy Slim-funded DJ workshops for mental health programme to continue

todayOctober 11, 2025 4

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A Fatboy Slim-funded DJ workshop series for people dealing with serious mental health problems is to continue for at least another year.

The project, a collaboration with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s charity Heads On, was devised by Specialist Occupational Therapist, Natalie Rowlands, who got the DJ and producer born Norman Cook involved early on. The Fatboy Slim DJ Workshop Programme has now delivered 30 workshops in Sussex over the past 12 months.

People aged between 23 and 58 living with schizophrenia, personality and eating disorders, and bipolar have participated in the programme, which has even seen Cook deliver hands-on coaching and advice on certain occasions.

On 24th September, a night of performances from those involved in the programme, Sound Minds, took place at Rockwater Hove, featuring sets from 13 students as well as Fatboy Slim himself.

Commenting on his involvement with the project, Cook said: “Watching participants, many of whom have faced significant mental health challenges, discover the joy of mixing music and expressing themselves creatively, has been truly inspiring.

“Music has played a vital role in my own mental health journey, and it’s a privilege to share that healing power with others.

“I’m thrilled to perform alongside these talented individuals at the Sound Minds event, celebrating their achievements and the transformative impact of music.”

Per the BBC, Rowlands said: “We’ve had people that have been suicidal, in A&E every night for weeks and they’ve come to these workshops and been inspired, they’ve started DJing and bought their own equipment… DJ workshops don’t just teach people to mix music, they help them find their rhythm, their confidence, and their voice.”

Jessica Button, who took part in one of the workshops, said: “It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done to learn how to DJ with Fatboy Slim, and the event Sound Minds was the icing on the cake… I found the entire event so liberating and it has improved my mental health so much… Music is truly a magical healing tool.”

A Channel 4 report about the workshops is available watch below.

Last month, Fatboy Slim announced two headline performances at Alexandra Palace in February.

Later this month, he’ll release It Ain’t Over ’til the Fatboy Sings, an illustrated book celebrating 40 years in music.

Last October, he released the 20th anniversary edition of ‘Palookaville’ with unreleased versions and remixes.

Watch Fatboy Slim’s set from Snowbombing Festival 2024.

Written by: Avenuesounds

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