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Backup Tech

@backuptechuk

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Providing financial support to industry technical professionals in the UK entertainment industry specifically live events, music touring and theatre

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Everyone working on a tour deserves access to support, whatever the size of the production.

At Backup, we’re pleased to see @wearemitc launch the Pay It Forward Fund, offering free occupational health support to artists and crew on small and mid-scale tours.

Smaller teams face significant pressures, often without the budget for professional support. The three-year pilot aims to support 50 tour teams each year.

Packages include confidential 24/7 Tour Check-Ins with qualified mental health practitioners, an occupational health consultation, Healthy Touring workshops, practical resources and MITC’s Touring and Mental Health audiobook. No diagnosis, referral or previous therapy experience is needed for check-ins.

As Laura Newton from MITC says:

“Touring isn't always easy, but in moments of pressure it helps to know you have people in your corner. Those working on smaller and mid-scale tours face the same pressures as larger productions, often without the budget for professional support. Pay It Forward was created to help level the playing field. It offers specialist, industry-informed support before, during and after the tour, without adding to touring costs, and a confidential, impartial place to turn when it's needed.”

This is such an encouraging step towards making specialist support more accessible to the people who keep live music moving.

#MITC #PayItForward #MentalHealth #Touring #TouringHealth by @backuptechuk

On Thursday 12 November, Backup Tech Supports @musicsupport_uk’s initiative to celebrate MHFAider Day and thank everyone who helps make mental health support happen at work.

This year’s celebration follows the launch of the first national Workplace Mental Health First Aid Standards on 6 October. They set out what good support for MHFAiders looks like, including time for the role, recognition and ongoing development.

Behind every MHFAider is a person who listens, offers support and helps others find further help. MHFAider Day is a chance to recognise that contribution.

Are you an MHFAider? We’d love to hear what the role means to you. Perhaps it’s a conversation that made a difference or a moment when you helped someone find support.

Share only what you feel comfortable sharing, and please leave out any details that could identify someone you’ve supported.

To every MHFAider in our community: thank you.

#MHFAiderDay #MusicSupport #MentalHealthAtWork #BackupTech by @backuptechuk

Having the confidence to step in could help save a life.

We're pleased to share @tonicmusicmh's upcoming Suicide First Aid Lite course, supported by The Christopher Meredith Foundation.

Taking place on 27 November, this half-day course provides practical skills and knowledge to help participants recognise when someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and how to intervene safely, confidently and compassionately.

Training like this helps create a stronger, more supportive industry where people know how to look out for one another.

#BackupTech #SuicideFirstAid #MentalHealth #MusicIndustry #LiveEvents #YouAreNotAlone by @backuptechuk

We’re delighted to welcome Hannah Ratcliffe as an Ambassador for Backup! 💜

Hannah brings 17 years of experience in events and entertainment, having worked as a technician, production manager and line manager at a major UK theme park. Now General Manager of the @psanewsuk, she advocates for freelancers and small companies across the live production industry.

She champions psychologically safe working environments, with flexibility and kindness at the heart of how we treat one another.

“Supporting as an Ambassador for Backup Tech is a very proud moment”

Hannah hopes to help connect people with the support Backup can provide in times of need.

Welcome to the team, Hannah. We’re so pleased to have you on board!

#BackupTech #LiveEvents #EventProfs by @backuptechuk

We’re delighted to welcome @hedgemode from @autographsound as a Backup ambassador.

A long-time supporter of Backup, Andrew knows how easily people in our industry can put the job ahead of their own wellbeing. Long hours and tight deadlines can take their toll, and when health, mental wellbeing or financial difficulties arise, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.

“The more people who know Backup exists, the more people it can help.”

Andrew wants to spread that message across the production and events sector, and to the artists and clients he works with every day, helping more people discover the support available to them.

Thank you, Andrew, for helping us make sure no one in our industry has to face difficult times alone.

#BackupTech #LiveEvents #Autograph #Ambassador by @backuptechuk

On Sept 18th, Grumpy Old Dads & Gorgeous Daughters, a group of 15 intrepid friends, including our very own Duncan Bell and his daughter Tabitha, set off to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of four worthy charities: Backup Tech Charity, Back Up, James' Place Charity, and Josh Davies Foundation.

Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain, so it was challenging to say the least, but all 15 made it safely to Uhuru Peak, 5,895 meters above sea level. And they’ve raised a whopping £53,805 so far!

“It started out as a way for us to share an unforgettable experience,” says Duncan. “It grew into a shared challenge and was genuinely the most amazing experience for so many reasons. As expected it was tough, too and pushed each of us way outside our comfort zones, but it also made memories for life, deepened friendships and produced laughter and tears in equal measure. We’re all so incredibly proud that we made it, but we have agreed we’ll never do it again!”

#Kilimanjaro #CharityChallenge #Fundraising #TeamSpirit #ClimbingForCharity by @backuptechuk

You don't have to navigate menopause alone.

We're pleased to share @tonicmusicmh's upcoming Menopause Peer Support Group, supported by The Christopher Meredith Foundation.

Running over six weeks from 6th October, these confidential, non-judgemental sessions provide a safe space to connect with others working in music, share experiences and support one another.

If you think this could help you or someone you know, we'd encourage you to find out more and get involved.

Find out more via link in bio

#BackupTech #MenopauseSupport #MentalHealth #MusicIndustry #PeerSupport #LiveEvents #YouAreNotAlone by @backuptechuk

Two half marathons. Two weeks apart. All in support of Backup!

We’re delighted to welcome Hannah Ratcliffe from the @psanewsuk as a new Backup Ambassador, and she’s certainly kicking things off in style!

Hannah is taking on not one, but TWO half marathons to raise money for Backup:

🏃 Windsor Half Marathon - 27 September
🏃 Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon - 11 October

What an incredible feat, two half marathons in the name of raising money to support the people in our industry when they need it most.

Hannah says:

“I’m so proud to be running these races in aid of Backup Tech. As someone who has previously both supported someone and been supported through a period of poor mental health, I know how important it is to have somewhere to turn.

“Backup’s work is invaluable in the industry - if you can support by donating, that’s fab, but if not, make sure your fellow crew know that they have someone in their corner when times get tough.”

We’re so incredibly grateful for Hannah’s efforts and will be cheering her on every step of the way!

And no, the cat isn’t doing the runs with Hannah… but he definitely thinks he is. 🐈😉

Good luck, Hannah - you’ve got this!

Sponsor Hannah via link in bio

#fundraising4backup #BackupTech #WindsorHalf #OyshoRoyalParksHalf #HalfMarathon by @backuptechuk

What does a sustainable career in live events really look like?

At the recent @plasaonline Show, Backup Chair Lee Dennison was joined by Back up ambassadors @suzigr, (@thebackloungetouring), Paul Jones (UK live event freelancers forum) and Jon Cowley FCCA, Partner - David Howard Chartered Accountant, for Building a Sustainable Live Events Workforce – an open and important conversation about career progression, financial resilience and navigating an industry that can often feel uncertain.

As Suzi Green reflected:

“It was a privilege to be part of this session with Backup Tech, discussing the issues we face in progressing our careers in a meaningful way. Conversations like this matter for everyone working in live events as it's about building resilience and keeping faith in the process, even when the industry itself feels uncertain, as it does for many of us now.”

A huge thank you to Suzi, Paul and Jon for sharing their experiences and insight, and to everyone who joined us at PLASA and contributed to the conversation.

This session also marked the next phase of our How to Become a Financially Savvy Freelancer series, made possible with support from @livetrustcharity.

There’s more to come as we continue looking at practical ways to help the people behind live events build stronger, more sustainable careers.

#BackupTech #PLASA2026 #LiveEvents #TechnicalEntertainment #EventProfs #Freelancers by @backuptechuk

And they’re off! 🏔️

Duncan Bell, his daughter and a group of friends and their daughters have officially set off on their Kilimanjaro challenge!

Over the coming days, they’ll be taking on the physical and mental challenge of climbing to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain, supporting each other every step of the way.

Duncan has chosen to use the challenge to raise funds for Backup, helping us continue to support people working across the technical entertainment industry.

Duncan said:

“I know trekking up Kilimanjaro will be an exciting challenge, both physically and mentally, but we are all looking forward to supporting each other as dads, friends and daughters. Being able to help and support others via our respective charities will make each step easier and drive us all to the top.”

A huge thank you to Duncan for choosing to support Backup. We’ll be following their progress and cheering the whole group on as they make their way to the top! 💛

If you’d like to support Duncan and his fundraising for Backup, you can donate here via link in bio.

#Fundraising4Backup #Kilimanjaro #BackupTech by @backuptechuk

Something exciting started at @plasaonline Show last week.

On Monday morning, we brought together associations, unions, groups and charities from across music, theatre, live events and broadcast for what we believe was the first meeting of its kind spanning all of these areas of our industry.

The aim was simple: how can we work more closely together to better support the people working behind the scenes?

There is already an incredible amount of support, knowledge and expertise across our industry. But knowing what help is available, and where to find it, isn't always easy.

By working together, our goal is to build a neutral industry hub, bringing associations, unions, groups and charities from across music, theatre, live events and broadcast together in one place. A resource that can help people navigate the support available across the industry and find the right organisation when they need it.

The response in the room was hugely positive, with a real sense of enthusiasm about creating a more cohesive approach and what we can achieve collectively.

Thanks to funding from @livetrustcharity, we've been able to kick-start this work and begin bringing organisations together to turn the idea into something tangible.

This was only the first conversation, but we're really excited about where it could lead.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at PLASA and contributed to such an open and positive discussion. By working together, we can make it easier for everyone in our industry to know where to turn for support.

#BackupTech #PLASAShow #LiveEvents #EntertainmentIndustry #IndustrySupport by @backuptechuk

Health and welfare conversations need to lead to real, practical support.

At this year’s @plasaonline Show, our Talking Health & Welfare for Live Events Professionals seminar brought together experts from across the industry to tackle three important topics head-on, helping to raise awareness of the support available and the legal requirements we all need to understand.

As Jess said:

“Thank you to our brilliant panel, Mig Burgess, Gemma Fletcher, @therapyontour (@ukbapam) and Joe Hastings (@musicsupport_uk ), for tackling three huge topics head-on and pointing everyone toward real, practical support, as well as highlighting the legal requirements.

And thank you to everyone who came along to our PLASA Show session on health and welfare – your presence and questions made it count.

These conversations matter. Glad we’re having them!”

A huge thank you to Mig, Gemma, Tiffany and Joe for sharing their knowledge and experience, and to everyone who joined us, asked questions and contributed to the conversation.

The more openly we talk about health and welfare across our industry, the easier it becomes to know where to turn when support is needed.

#BackupTech #PLASAShow #LiveEvents #HealthAndWelfare #EventProfessionals by @backuptechuk