Music venue partners with mental health charity

A concert venue has announced a partnership with a charity that aims to support mental health within music communities.

HMV Empire in Coventry will work with Tonic Music, which provides mental health support to help people continue to professionally and recreationally engage in music.

The charity said Coventry was a city of huge importance to them, with their founding patron being Terry Hall from The Specials.

HMV Empire initially reached out to the charity after seeing their stand at The Specials' Coventry Cathedral gig.

Phil Rooney, director of the venue, was excited by the charity's work and the initial offer of doing a sponsored hike blossomed into a long-term partnership.

"We're delighted to be supporting such a fantastic charity as Tonic Music, and many will know their founding patron Terry Hall of The Specials is very close to our hearts as well," he said.

"We work with a wide spectrum of charities in the city and will continue to do so, we just felt it vital to be partnering with a music-focused charity.

"We see a lot of mental health challenges which come with engaging in the music, industry be it professionally or recreationally, and their mental health support work will play such a huge role for those who did not know who to turn to previously.

"We're looking forward to supporting them on their journey raising awareness and championing action."

Tonic Music will regularly attend HMV Empire gigs with mental health information and merch, as well as spending time planning charity gigs, fundraisers and auctions with the venue.

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