The festival – which coincides with UK Mental Health Awareness Week – takes place in Brighton between 17 to 19 May and features over 450 bands performing in over 30 of Brighton’s best live music venues.
Alongside the music, The Great Escape Convention will host business seminars, panel discussions, case studies and keynote speeches, aimed at music industry delegates looking to form new business partnerships and expand their networks.
During the convention, AIM – which represents over 850 independent music companies in the UK – will be hosting AIM House at The Queens Hotel, featuring a programme of panels and showcases.
A safe tent area staffed by trained Music Support volunteers will be provided at the venue, giving delegates 'a space to be quiet, or to be amongst other people who also want to discuss or share their recovery and knowledge.'
Samantha Parker, a founding trustee of Music Support said: 'We are grateful to the team at AIM for giving us the opportunity to provide a Safe Tent at The Great Escape this year.
'It’s important that delegates at this type of event have an opportunity to get some respite from the hurly burly of the convention and to talk to someone in a relaxed and informal environment about any concerns or anxieties they may be experiencing.'
Paul Pacifico, chief executive officer of AIM added: 'Music Support are doing very important work in the field of mental health and addiction and AIM fully supports their efforts.
'To be able to celebrate and raise the visibility of UK Mental Health Awareness Week by offering a Music Support Safe Tent for visitors to AIM House at The Great Escape this year is something we are proud to be involved in.'
The Music Support Safe Tent Initiative has had a presence at UK music festivals since summer 2017, providing 'places of refuge for people working at the events who need a break from intense backstage pressures and demands in a stimulant-free environment.'
See also: You are not alone: help for musicians suffering mental health issues >
