Why is wellbeing
support for creatives important?
Actors and creatives are required to be vulnerable and work in high pressure environments. The industry can demand a lot of time, energy, and emotion. It is important that creatives are given the tools and support they need to maintain their health and happiness.
At Wellbeing for Actors, we provide support to creatives at any stage of their career and give them a toolkit so they are fully equipped to build and maintain their emotional resilience during training, in rehearsals and throughout their careers.
Ways in which we work
Wellbeing and mental health support looks different for everyone. Every individual, organisation or rehearsal room will require something different and that's why we tailor support depending on what's needed.
Below is an outline of the various ways in which we work.
Wellbeing Workshops
Wellbeing Workshops
This is a series of workshops for creatives at any stage of their career. These are tailor-made to each specific group meaning they can be applied to people in training, rehearsal processes, productions and across tv and film. These workshops aim to give creatives the tools to look after their wellbeing and deal with sensitive subject matters.
Wellbeing Facilitation
Wellbeing Facilitation
This is specific support for both actors and creative teams in rehearsals or on set. It mainly consists of client-led 1-1 sessions and small group workshops focussed on resilience and self-care. I can work with management to help prevent stress and mental health issues for cast and crew, safeguard effectively and tackle challenges that may arise.
Wellbeing 1-1's
1-1 Wellbeing Sessions
These can be offered online and in person and are a useful way to debrief, reflect and talk about any struggles individuals are facing in a supportive, safe environment. This can exist as part of a wider role across a production, throughout a rehearsal process, at a drama school or on an individual level.
Our Founder
I am currently in my second year of training to be a BACP approved counsellor. I have a Level 3 Safeguarding qualification and I am a Mental Health First Aider.
My name is Jess and I’m an actor and wellbeing facilitator from East London.
Whilst training at drama school I noticed how there seemed to be a lack of support for actors in training. In my third year I decided to centre my dissertation around the wellbeing of actors in training. I conducted interviews, looked at pre-existing research, spoke to student support staff and the findings were, despite best efforts, there often weren't the provisions to provide the level of support needed.
When I graduated I became aware of the need for support in the industry too.
Prior to drama school I had already been working with organisations including; Mind, National Youth Theatre, Refugee Women and Children Centre in Calais, BEAT, Rape Crisis and Samaritans. I was able to use my professional knowledge combined with my personal experience to continue my work in a wellbeing role.
Over 4 years on from graduating and I now have worked within multiple actor training institutions facilitating my wellbeing workshops and working 1-1 with creatives. I have also worked as a wellbeing facilitator on numerous rehearsal processes and productions.
I am so passionate about my work and I have seen first hand how much this work benefits productions, drama schools and most importantly, the individual.
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Recent Work:
- Wellbeing and Access Consultant - Penguins - JamJar Theatre Company
- Wellbeing Facilitator - 'Cable Street' @ Southwark Playhouse
- Wellbeing Lead - 'Mulatto Boy' @ Omnibus Theatre
- Wellbeing Support Worker - 'I Really Do Think This Will Change Your Life' @ Edinburgh Fringe 2024
- Wellbeing Advisor - 'Instructions on How to be Alone' - R&D 2024
- Wellbeing Facilitator - National Youth Theatre Residential Course 2024
- Mentor and Co-Facilitator on Greater London Authority Wellbeing Mentor Scheme 2024
- Wellbeing Professional and Contributor at the Youth Mental Health Summit 2024