Music Support, a new charity providing help for any music industry professionals suffering from mental health issues, is to receive backing from The BRIT Trust.
The charitable arm of the BPI will make a donation towards day-to-day operations as well as contributing to a Safe Tent initiative developed in conjunction with Festival Republic and Live Nation.
The Safe Tents will be staffed by Music Support volunteers and will act as calming places of refuge for people working at the event who need a break from intense back-stage pressures and demands in a stimulant-free environment.
This will be at Glastonbury (22-25 June), Wireless (7-9 July), Latitude (13-16 July), V Festival (19-20-August), Reading & Leeds (25-27 August), and ending at Electric Picnic in Ireland (1-3 September).
Music Support was jointly-founded by music industry veterans Matt Thomas and Andy Franks together with Mark Richardson and Johan Sorensen.
Matt Thomas, Music Support co-founder and chair of the trustees, said: ‘Like the rest of society and other creative sectors, issues relating to addiction and mental health are a concern for the music industry.
‘Although awareness has improved, stresses and anxieties can be experienced by artists and employees alike, and are particularly felt in the live sector, where relentless touring and unsociable hours can take their toll. We recognise too that emerging talent may sometimes find it hard to adjust to the demands of new-found fame, while more established musicians can find it a challenge to adapt to changes in their careers.’
Set up in May 2016, the charity provides a 24/7 telephone helpline staffed by trained volunteers who have personal experience of issues within the industry and can offer help and support as someone who has been there and understands.
Visit musicsupport.org to find out more.
The charitable arm of the BPI will make a donation towards day-to-day operations as well as contributing to a Safe Tent initiative developed in conjunction with Festival Republic and Live Nation.
The Safe Tents will be staffed by Music Support volunteers and will act as calming places of refuge for people working at the event who need a break from intense back-stage pressures and demands in a stimulant-free environment.
This will be at Glastonbury (22-25 June), Wireless (7-9 July), Latitude (13-16 July), V Festival (19-20-August), Reading & Leeds (25-27 August), and ending at Electric Picnic in Ireland (1-3 September).
Music Support was jointly-founded by music industry veterans Matt Thomas and Andy Franks together with Mark Richardson and Johan Sorensen.
Matt Thomas, Music Support co-founder and chair of the trustees, said: ‘Like the rest of society and other creative sectors, issues relating to addiction and mental health are a concern for the music industry.
‘Although awareness has improved, stresses and anxieties can be experienced by artists and employees alike, and are particularly felt in the live sector, where relentless touring and unsociable hours can take their toll. We recognise too that emerging talent may sometimes find it hard to adjust to the demands of new-found fame, while more established musicians can find it a challenge to adapt to changes in their careers.’
Set up in May 2016, the charity provides a 24/7 telephone helpline staffed by trained volunteers who have personal experience of issues within the industry and can offer help and support as someone who has been there and understands.
Visit musicsupport.org to find out more.
