ENDING the “stigma around mental ill-health” is the idea behind an NHS initiative launched today to encourage people to share their experiences.

The Reader Café, in Rowntree Park, York, will host Sharing Stories from noon, kicking off a year of activities organised by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Andrew Howorth, head of engagement and involvement at the Trust said: “There is nothing more powerful than a personal story. We hope that Sharing Stories will encourage people from across the region to come together and share their lived experiences and help us in our ultimate goal to stop the stigma surrounding mental health.”

Events in 2013 will include a book of the month themed around mental ill-health and recovery, a readathon in March and the Love Arts festival in October, which will focus on storytelling.

The campaign is supported by Waterstones York, City of York Council, Rowntree Park Readers Café and book clubs in York.

For more details, visit sharing-stories.co.uk or phone 0113 30 55944.