The UK Charity Launches Helpline to Combat Workplace Bullying

Help Musicians is an independent UK charity for professional musicians of all music genres, from emerging artists to those going into retirement. They aim to fund musicians in times of need and opportunity.

To open in early March 2022, their helpline was created in response to the hundreds of reported situations to the SafeSpace service, which is run by the Musicians’ Union (MU). 

SafeSpace is an online reporting program that allows musicians to anonymously report any workplace harassment they have experienced. The initiative is able to give advice on one’s rights, further support programs, options, and further steps in cases of bullying, discrimination, and other misconduct. 

The helpline will add to those services and provide emotional support, practical guidance on how to raise and resolve certain issues, and advice for formal action in cases where matters cannot be resolved by other means.

It will work in tandem with SafeSpace and has received endorsement from other organizations including UK Music, the MU, and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The support service will be provided by an independent third-party organization experienced in supplying similar services across the UK. This will also ensure full anonymity for all callers.

The music industry should be a safe, welcoming and creative environment for all and needs more support for those experiencing bullying and harassment.

We are today announcing more support in this area through a new bullying and harassment helpline: https://t.co/5mLwixURts pic.twitter.com/DCjetI6kPq

— Help Musicians (@HelpMusicians) January 25, 2022

“Bullying and harassment have no place in society, and it is pleasing to see this fantastic new resource being made available to those who work in our world class music industry,” said Nadine Dorries, the UK’s Culture Secretary. “I have heard first hand the experiences of those who have been subjected to bullying and harassment and I am committed to continuing to work with the industry to tackle the issue.”

“The anonymous insight we will gather through this service will shed more light on the issues being experienced and help to target the collaborative efforts for positive and permanent change across the music industry,” said Help Musicians’s CEO, James Ainscough.

“This new service is extremely welcome, and we look forward to working alongside the team at Help Musicians in supporting survivors and measuring progress in the industry,” added Naomi Pohl, MU’s deputy general secretary.

For more information, click here.