Five music charities offering support to those working in the events industry

Working in the events industry can be extremely rewarding. If you’ve ever put on a successful gig, club night or festival, you’ll be familiar with the buzz of securing that dream act or pulling off an ambitious attraction.

But it can come at a price.

Long hours and the blurring of work and play are just two of those challenges, which can spill over into general life and affect mental health.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of five music charities offering support to those working in the events industry.

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Music Support

Music Support was founded in April 2016. Since November 2016, they’ve been operating as a registered charity. 

Their goal? To ensure nobody in the events industry is left alone with mental health or addiction issues. 

The founder’s experiences led them to start the charity. They’re all industry professionals who’ve suffered mental health and addiction problems and are in recovery. 

But what does Music Support offer?

First up, a helpline. It’s open Monday-Friday from 9am til 5pm, giving people a chance to chat with a mental-health trained music industry peer about the challenges of mental health and addiction. 

They also offer Mental Health First Aid courses. Here, you’ll be able to learn how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Elsewhere, Music Support offers Addiction & Recovery workshops, Safe Hubs and Webinars. 

Find out more here.

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Help Musicians

Help Musicians was founded all the way back in 1921 as the Gervase Elwes Memorial Fund. In 1926, it was renamed The Musicians Benevolent Fund, becoming a registered charity in the process. 

The charity supports working musicians dealing with an illness, injury or accident. They assist musicians with financial support, which includes funding to release music, go on tour, find training and monetary support for music studies. 

Elsewhere, there’s support for musicians struggling with their physical health and support for musicians experiencing illness, bullying and harassment. 

In 2017, Help Musicians launched Music Minds Matter, an independent UK charity for professional musicians. We’ll cover the work Music Minds Matter does later in the article.

Find Help Musicians here.

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Drake Music

Drake Music was founded by Adèle Drake in the mid-1980s.

The charity aims to create equal opportunities for Disabled people who make or want to make music. 

Their work is underpinned by the Social Model of Disability, which says that disability is not about an individual’s body but is instead about the physical and societal challenges which affect people’s ability to take part in daily life.

Drake Music offers a range of services, including commissions, residencies, mentoring and masterclasses for musicians at different stages of their careers. 

They also give Disabled musicians the chance to take part in music-making activities, come up with innovative instruments and develop new concepts with artists. 

Find Drake Music here.

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Young Urban Arts Foundation

The Young Urban Arts Foundation was founded in 2009. 

They’ve supported over 21,000 young people and delivered creative workshops to people who have limited access to opportunities and are at risk of child exploitation or becoming a victim of crime. 

Their YUAF Future taster sessions offer classes in the basics of podcasting, how to DJ, songwriting and recording, all with a stellar lineup of events industry professionals. 

Alongside it are the YUAF’s Pathways program and leadership courses, giving young people a chance to shape their lives in a positive direction. 

Elsewhere, the YUAF’s double-decker Outreach Media Bus provides a space for young people to build confidence and improve their social skills, as well as use creative thinking to improve their mental well-being. 

Find the Young Urban Arts Foundation here. 

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Music Minds Matter

As we mentioned earlier, Music Minds Matter was launched in 2017.

The charity has a dedicated mental health support line, which you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here, people who work in music can speak to a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BCAP) accredited counsellor.

They’ll give emotional support, information and guidance on additional services. The BCAP-accredited counsellor can also help people find therapeutic support should they need it. 

Elsewhere, the Music Minds Matter website features a range of online resources, ranging from official NHS advice, links to other sources of support and webinars with other music and events industry professionals.

Find Music Minds Matter here.