Alice-inspired event will raise awareness of mental health

A team of third-year Creative Events Management students from Arts University Bournemouth: Natalie Dayes, Josh Watson, Jodie Wellman, Jess Bray, Tara Edwards, Kirsty Meade and Emily Spiers – known collectively as Pick ‘n’ Mix Productions – have organised a special immersive experience to raise money for mental health services run by Bournemouth housing charity BCHA.

‘ALICE’ will run from 6pm–11.30pm on Friday 28 April, and is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. Using themes from the story, the students will be basing the evening around the issues of mental health at work, while the setting of Athelhampton Manor House and Gardens, a spectacular 15th century Tudor country house situated near Dorchester, is the perfect backdrop to bring this imaginative immersive experience to life.

Tara Edwards said, “Do you know what it feels like to lose yourself? Behind every smile there’s a story. Some wish to hide theirs to give them control and others wish to show theirs to let go. We therefore want to invite people to Athelhampton House to lose themselves in an immersive experience where we urge everyone to explore themselves.

“Based around mental health, awareness of mental health in the workplace, and our beloved friend Alice, we want to educate and raise awareness, create an unforgettable experience for you, our guest, to raise money for BCHA, specifically supporting their mental health service, SMILE.”

Tickets begin at £50, which includes a three-course meal and a welcome drink, and there will be entertainment, inspirational speakers and opportunities to donate on the night, including a silent auction.

Paul Tucker, campaigns and communications manager at BCHA, said, “We were delighted when the students approached BCHA, not just because they are raising money, but also because they want to help spread the word about mental health and end the stigma surrounding it. Although there is a better understanding about mental health, there is still a very long way to go, especially in regards to homelessness, where the two issues very often go hand in hand.”