BAPAM launches scheme to support BAME musicians

The scheme, which is open for applications until 16 December 2020, is jointly funded by Help Musicians and PPL.

The scheme will provide up to five bursaries for Black, Asian and minority ethnic performers and professionals in the music industry to undertake training, accredited by the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) or BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies), to become a registered counsellor or psychotherapist.

Bursaries of up to £3,000 will be awarded per year of study towards course fees and allowances. BAPAM will also employ a mental health professional to manage and oversee the scheme, including the arrangement of supervision and the management of training placements.

This project will support a formalised career pathway from the music industry into a performing arts mental health career for Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and performers, and will seek to increase the capacity of culturally-competent therapists to support the high levels of mental health problems in the community, which are anticipated post-COVID-19.

BAPAM’s chief executive officer, Claire Cordeaux, said: 'We know that the bond between therapist and client is often the most important factor in the effectiveness of therapy, and that for many Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals in the performing arts, the lack of diversity among therapists can be a barrier to accessing services. We are delighted to be working with PPL and Help Musicians UK to offer this opportunity which has the added benefit of delivering free counselling to the music and performing arts sector, as trainees develop their practice.

BAPAM counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor, Beverley Hills said: 'A timely initiative that hopefully will begin to break down the barriers to Black, Asian and minority ethnic career progression in the psychotherapeutic arena by addressing the seriously poor representation of artistic practitioners from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

'There are hurdles that exist with often forgotten individuals and performers who need the safety of a seen cultural reference to be in place before they can begin to address their mental health issues with their therapist. People want to talk to people who not only understand their sector but who also look like them. With this bursary, BAPAM, PPL and Help Musicians aim to tackle this low visibility of Black, Asian and minority ethnic professionals in the field.'

https://www.bapam.org.uk/

More details can be found on the recently relaunched BAPAM website here: https://www.bapam.org.uk/

ENDS