A MENTAL health campaigner hopes to give back to the community that helped him after he suffered a breakdown.

Rob Chandler, who goes by the name Chan-Dog travels around the UK in a van with a large sound system to promote his campaign and is now spending every Tuesday in Worcester.

He said: “I spread a message of peace, love and mental health awareness.” Mr Chandler said: “To try to bring about positive change through the form of music.”

“It gets people dancing in the streets and up-lifts people. People just need someone to talk to.”

The 31-year-old was inspired to help others after going through his own personal struggles with mental health. “I had a successful career in London before suddenly going through a traumatic event, a sudden family death. I had a mental breakdown and life went off the rails. I was diagnosed with bipolar and found there was very little in the way of support from the NHS. It ruined my life really, it cost me my career and nearly my life. In 2015 my career in finance came to an end and I started the campaign.”

Mr Chandler started a peer to peer support group online as part of his brand. “I found using online chat rooms with other people with bipolar quite useful.” Mr Chandler set up his campaign because he “wanted to give back to the mental health community”

“This whole episode has empowered me to find a new project in life. I wasn’t fulfilled in finance, but this is really fulfilling, seeing peoples smiles everywhere.” His end goal is to set up music events which promote mental health awareness. He is booked for some festivals and one pride event this year. Mr Chandler said: “I am trying to get the word out that mental health awareness is a serious thing.” Mr Chandler who grew up in Evesham funds his project by doing deliveries, whilst he does his runs, he plays music from his sound system. His van, the ‘vibe van’ has the CND flag one side and the pride flag the other. Chan-Dog’s Vibe Van will visit Worcester every Tuesday, driving around different locations and he will attend the Flag pub in Lowesmoor on Tuesday evenings. To find out more visit cdvibevan.com

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