Industry charity Backup has long recognised the technical entertainment industry as an exciting, but challenging place to work and is committed to helping those who face the pressure and stress involved by providing further help and support.

Now, the charity has launched a free Helpline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide a centralised access point for both urgent and non-urgent wellbeing support.

The helpline offers a number of options, from a dedicated Backup counsellor, to direct transfer to other industry charities, including the Music Support Helpline, Theatre Helpline and the Samaritans.

Upon selecting one of the above options, you will be transferred directly to the support you require.

The Backup Counsellor option is a free, independent and confidential phone service with a certified Counsellor who has a broad experience of the industry and will provide initial support or signposting on mental health and wellbeing to people working in the live technical entertainment industry. If further sessions are needed, The Backup certified Counsellor is available to offer support and to assist with Backup grants.

“Whilst we already have information about a number of resources that can be accessed on the wellbeing section of our website, we understand that it’s never easy asking for help, so we wanted to make it as simple as possible for people to get the direct help they need,” says Backup Chairman, John Simpson. “Our hope is that the addition our dedicated helpline will encourage more people to take advantage of the support that’s available.”

The Helpline can be accessed by calling 0800 464 7068 and all calls are free. The Backup Counsellor service is available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 09:00 – 21:00 and Thursday and Friday 09:00 – 18:00 (except for bank holidays); the Music Support Helpline is available Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (except for bank holidays); Theatre Helpline and the Samaritans are both available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

See Helpline page here