This week we have been speaking with Claire Cordeaux from BAPAM about wellbeing and support for performers, the rise of the understudy and celebrating the rocking life of Meatloaf.
We have also been speaking about all of the resources available to you as a performer or creative (see list of links below!). The tricky music theme of the week ‘songs about other artists’ has provided a glorious playlist ranging from Serg Gainsbourg’s Bonnie and Clyde to Mika’s Grace Kelly – Listen again to The Arts Programme.
Performing arts Wellbeing BAPAM
Support for Performers:
Music Minds Matter, run by Help Musicians is a free service for anyone working in music to have a confidential chat with someone who is trained to listen. If they feel you might benefit from further help you might be able to get some counselling and further support. Given them a ring on 0808 802 8008 night or day all the details are https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/
https://musicsupport.org/ provides help and support for those in or employed by the UK music industry affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction. They offer education and learning via workshops and training to individuals and organisations in the industry so they may be better equipped in the areas of awareness, early intervention and prevention.
https://uktheatre.org/theatre-industry/guidance-reports-and-resources/wellbeing/ UK Theatre and SOLT have a lot of wellbeing resources and links to help on their website. If you’re working behind the scenes you might want to check out https://www.backuptech.uk/about/
https://incarts.uk/ is an organisation supporting the teams behind the scenes’. This means those who work in roles off-stage and support creative production. The experience of marginalisation takes a toll on people’s mental health which is why they created Inc Arts Minds. This service provides free emotional wellbeing support for ethnically diverse people who work in the creative industries
If you need immediate help then you should call the emergency services on 999, Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Business growth:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-uk-entrepreneurs-with-tech-support-and-software-to-help-them-grow
• Help to Grow: Digital scheme launches today to support small businesses with discounted software and free advice. scheme provides businesses with discounts of up to £5,000 on approved Digital Accounting and Customer Relations Management (CRM) software
• dedicated website providing free, impartial support now open to boost businesses’ digital skills
https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/ you can use this website to find out what kind of software you might need to help your business grow and essentially the offer is discounts on software but that could be digital accounting, making it easier to charge for your products or services or managing you clients, customers or partners through a CRM (Customer Relationship MAnagement) so have a look.
Closer to home, https://backingessexbusiness.co.uk/ is a service that can help you with up to 12 hours of free business support, loans for business growth and Start-Ups and they deliver Recovery Loans up to £150k to support businesses through COVID-19 and Group2Grow which is a peer group of business professionals to learn, grow, and solve common problems using each other’s knowledge and experience, with the support, guidance, and mentoring of a Business Coach.
https://southeastbusiness.org.uk/essex-southend-thurrock/
If your business needs support with planning, funding, networking, scaleup, pre-start-ups & start-ups, upskilling, apprenticeships, growing, problem solving or adapting, the BEST Growth Hub can help. Contact their team of business experts to get free and impartial business support. You can talk to one of their Business Navigators and they will help you find the right support to help your business.
https://artquest.org.uk/how-to-articles/7-steps-business-start/ has a really useful 7 steps to starting your business
http://www.coronamusicians.info/career-recovery/ and for a wide range of support in recovering your career, Help Musicians and the Musicians Movement group have put together resources that have been selected by musicians for musicians.
https://theatresupport.info/ including a handy flowchart to work out what you need depending on the kind of role you have and if you’re just not sure where to start looking for support, and lots of links to relevant resources for everyone working in theatre.
https://theatrehelpline.org/ The Theatre Helpline is a free, independent and confidential phone and email service that provides support to people working in the theatre industry.
Trained staff are available to offer support and signposting on any topic which affects your wellbeing, including:
• Bullying or harassment
• Physical health
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Injury and mobility problems
• Issues with employment or unemployment
• Career issues, including professional development and training
• Retirement and care in later life
• Debt and financial issues
Call 0800 9154617 or email advice@theatrehelpline.org
The Arts Programme
Claire Gevaux and Natalie Bays
