It is a charity that uses the power of rock music to help people recover from mental illness.

And now, ten years after it was formed, the Black Dog Music Project is encouraging others to get involved.

The organisation gives people the chance to learn a variety of musical instruments from its studio on Salhouse Road.

They then have the opportunity to form their own bands with other members and even perform gigs across the city.

Chairman Colin Bain said the charity has helped hundreds of people recover from mental illness since 2006.

'It helps bring people out of their shells,' he said. 'A lot of people come here and they don't know how to play any instrument.

'And then all of a sudden you give them a guitar or a couple of drum sticks and they become a completely different person.'

The charity was first formed in 2006 by a support worker who found music had helped him with a period of mental ill health.

It took its name partly from the label Winston Churchill had for his depression.

Mr Bain said the project became an official charity in 2008 and moved into the Earth Studios on Caston Industrial Estate the same year.

'It is not just about the music,' he added. 'It's about encouraging people to get out of their homes and mix with others.'

Its six volunteers provide people with weekly tuition on everything from guitar to drums, regardless of their ability.

The charity now boasts more than 40 members and four bands, which play a wide variety of music.

People are invited to a gig on September 30 at the Brickmakers Arms on Sprowston Road, where the bands will be playing.

For more information, email Colin Bain at cajbain48@gmail.com

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