The Christopher Meredith Foundation powers up Music Support with new partnership

13 September 2023 - Press release

The Foundation, established in memory of Christopher Meredith, will enable the music industry charity to increase its crucial efforts in helping peers who work in music and live events affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction.

 

Music Support, the charity that provides help and support to anyone who works in music and live events affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction, has announced a new partnership with The Christopher Meredith Foundation (CMF), enabling them to grow existing provisions and develop new programs which support music industry peers and their loved ones.

The partnership includes funding which will contribute towards three key areas across three years:

1. Funding or part-funding qualifying beneficiaries to receive the treatment they need, including counselling, psychotherapy and residential addiction treatment.
2. Developing Music Support’s ‘Safe Hub’ backstage at festivals, a space where artists and crew can take time out or speak to a Mental Health First Aid trained individual. Thanks to the partnership, the charity has already run Safe Hubs this summer at Splendour festival in Nottingham and Boomtown festival in Winchester.
3. Developing complementary programs for families and friends (including colleagues) who are supporting loved ones struggling with problematic drinking, drug use or other addictions. This includes new online resources and a workshop developed by addiction experts with lived experience.
   
   

Addiction is a complex illness that not only affects the person who is dependent; it also has a profound impact on their loved ones. While they play a crucial role in supporting their loved ones, family and friends can often be overlooked with very limited support available to help them navigate the journey and look after their own wellbeing.

Adfam research (2019) found that 1 in 10 people in Great Britain is currently dealing with a friend or family member’s drinking, drug taking or gambling. Music Support has seen a significant rise in the numbers of music industry workers’ loved ones seeking help since its launch in 2016.

Music Support was established in 2016 by veterans of the Music Industry with lived experience of mental ill-health and/or addiction as a personal and confidential support service provider that understood the specific needs and challenges that exist within the industry. 

The charity’s new services for family and friends will commence in Autumn 2023 and roll out over the next twelve months, including dedicated online resources, an online support workshop and befriending programs for family and friends.

The Christopher Meredith Foundation’s partnership with Music Support will make a long-lasting impact on the charity’s crucial efforts, continuing to grow this essential area of support for family and friends.

George Levers, Music Support’s Head of Service Development and Delivery said of the partnership, “We have dreamed of the opportunity to provide funding to our beneficiaries who would otherwise struggle to access addiction and co-occurring mental health treatment; an area currently publicly underfunded with stretched resources. Thanks to The Christopher Meredith Foundation this dream has come true. Not only that, but we are incredibly excited that we can now extend our reach to the family and friends of those in need”.

Sadie Meredith, CMF Trustee, commented, “We were hugely impressed with the culture and ethos which drives Eric, George and the whole team at Music Support. The addiction services they provide are life changing for their donors and we are delighted to be partnering with them to enable them to scale and widen their reach.”