The Fewsion Collective is a project based in Cardiff that are a not-for-profit social enterprise with community goals. They create a space for those with mental health and neurodiversity challenges to create and share projects, updates and ideas.
They aim is to raise awareness and break the stigma associated with neurodiversity and mental health.
We had the opportunity to have a chat with Jon Fews who runs the project, he goes by many names including FewsWire, Sandman Sound, Fewsyman and Jonny F. He's from Splott, Cardiff, originally but moved to Birmingham when very young and after living in London, Manchester, Bristol, ended up back in Wales. Here's how the chat went:
Your project aims to raise awareness and break the stigma associated with neurodiversity and mental health. Is this something you have suffered from? If so would you like to share your story with us?
As a young boy, when things got too much, my brain couldn’t cope. I’d have epileptic fits and undiagnosed, I was put on “zombie meds” and told I would “grow out of it”.
During my life I’ve used a range of ‘coping mechanisms’, I’d over work, over train at the gym, use drugs or alcohol to suppress how I felt and even contemplated suicide on multiple occasions.....
How many individuals has your project helped?
We are currently on around 20 suicide interventions but, our aim is to provide content that “allows others to find comfort or the courage to talk and ask for help if needed. To also give our contributions (currently at 29) a platform to shine by sharing their music, art and fashion.
What’s the hardest part of doing this project?
Time. We’d love to spend more time on this project but with having day jobs this can be challenging.
What’s your favourite aspect of the project?
Helping others and swing the progression of some of our contributors...most of them have now spread their wings and moved on to be full time artists. James Bowen aka Jimbo is making waves. Jermaine Turnball who was once in a bad place now is flying. I remember being there for Jermaine one night when he didn’t want to be here anymore he now has his own brand and making music with some big players.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can juggle.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Yep - Coolio - Gangsters Paradise & Mobb Deep - Shook Ones.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Your past doesn’t equal your future.
What’s next for you for 2021?
We are going through a restructure at Fewsion Collective and in the process of simplifying our offering. We’re focusing on sharing music, creating more music and pushing our art and fashion brand. With the focus being on promoting a positive message and being there for our followers. We want to land some events and see this as a great way of funding our project. We want to do more within “making a difference” by changing lives in our community. From a personal perspective we have developed a school’s/youth program that allows us to EDU8 our young people in regards to mental health and neurodiversity - breaking stigma.
I’ve also dusted my decks back off and will be putting some mixes together that includes some of the best welsh talent. Since moving back to Wales after time in the music Mecca (Bristol) I’m in awe of some of the hip hop, drum and bass and 140 coming out of Wales. You have the likes of Tom whitehead aka Wrekka who is smashing the Juno charts right now and has been a Fewsion Collective contributor from day one. Brogan James aka LiveWire, Benny Flows, Chris big- Soze, Lee Aftermath and more.
Here is the Fewsion Anthem Lyric Video
Click the image below to visit the Fewsion Collective Website.
Jon gave us an exclusive track for us and who ever reads this article to listen to.
Check out Thank You Paul Drum and Bass Remix.
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