VOLUNTEERS for a charity will dress up in Wild West gear to raise the profile of mental health issues.

Run by mental health charity Restore, the Elder Stubbs Festival at Rymers Lane in Cowley is celebrating its 24th year on Saturday, with its customary mix of live music, community stalls and children’s activities.

In among the allotments and apple trees, organisers are hoping the Wild West theme will make it the best festival yet.

Katie Rowell, recovery coordinator at Elder Stubbs and Restore, said: “It’s set to be an absolutely amazing day, featuring wonderful music and lots of fun for everyone involved.

“The Wild West theme means there will be a wagon, horse and cut-out cowboys that people can pose with.

“We would really encourage people to come along and fully embrace the theme.”

Ms Rowell is one of about 150 local volunteers, performers and organisations who will be raising mental health awareness on the day.

She said: “These kinds of events are really important for the community because it means that we can share a different side of mental illness.

“We can continue to break down barriers and misconceptions and show everyone all the incredible things people with mental health issues are doing.

“It’s vital that we get rid of the stigma and taboo surrounding mental health.”

Patrick Mannion, a recovery worker at Restore, has worked hard to organise the music for the festival, which features artists who have suffered with mental health issues themselves.

He said: “It’s a really exciting line-up and what makes it even more special is the fact that the people performing really believe in our cause.”

Artists include Raw Materials, Honolulu Cowboys, Headington Hillbillies and Music in Mind.

Music in Mind is a non-profit organisation which promotes music as an aid to learning, and three members of the band will be speaking about their personal experiences with mental health issues.

Restore, founded 34 years ago, normally works with about 20 people with mental health problems on a day-to-day basis at the Elder Stubbs allotments.

The charity encourages them to work on the charity’s vegetable patch, cook fresh food at the centre’s cafe and create sculptures in a specialist workshop.

For further information on the festival, visit the website restore.org.uk