Help Musicians registers Music Minds Matter as charity

Music charity Help Musicians has registered its mental health support line and service, Music Minds Matter (MMM), as a subsidiary charity. The charity has appointed a new board of trustees made up of figures from across the industry.

This news follows the launch of digital mental health platform Music Minds Matter Explore to cope with the rising demand for mental health support. The newly-separate charity will receive all fundraising income generated for mental health by Help Musicians ensuring it is directed solely towards the charity’s mental health mission.

James Ainscough, Help Musicians’ chief executive said: ‘Musicians and those who work in music have been through an incredibly difficult time during the pandemic. And, sadly, coming out the other side is proving just as challenging, if not more. So the time is right to set up Music Minds Matter as a single-focus charity.’

Staffed by accredited therapists, MMM was originally set up by Help Musicians in 2017. The service was expanded in 2021 in response to a Help Musicians survey which revealed the extent of damage to musicians’ mental health during the pandemic. The expansion added a national network of local support groups as well as referrals to clinical partner the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine.

MMM’s new board of trustees, chaired by existing Help Musicians trustee and CEO of the Association For Electronic Music, Silvia Montello. said: ‘Music brings such joy to so many people; we need to ensure that no-one involved in creating and sharing it across the music-loving community is left to suffer the effects of stressful, unhealthy and often precarious livelihoods, and is able to share in that joy and to thrive in their own daily endeavours.’

The board will also include:

• Gareth Mellor, global head of b2b marketing with  FUGA
• Juliette Edwards, deputy chief people officer, talent and wellbeing at PPL
• Maria Wray, HR director at United Talent Agency
• Melanie Johnson, head of investor services at Utopia Music
• Paul Firth, director of Amazon Music’s international division
• Jim Benner, existing Help Musicians trustee and head of music and events for children’s charity Children in Conflict 
• Reni Adadevoh, senior vice president of Legal and Business Affairs at Warner Music International

Adadevoh said: ‘I am delighted to join MMM as it broadens its focus beyond musicians to include all members of the music industry… I hope to contribute to MMM by expanding mental health conversations to include not only support for clinical issues, but also the importance of building psychological safety around identity and encouraging healthy work-life balance.’

Next month Music Minds Matter will bring together influencers within the music industry for Mental Health in Music: Leading positive change.

The Music Minds Matter mental health support line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week online and on 0808 802 8008.