Charity News

Launched last year, the #WeMakeEvents Wellbeing and Support Hub brought together the multiple charities and organisations that have been playing an integral part in supporting the industry.

The team was on hand to offer support, raise awareness of mental health and help take away the stigma that surrounds it. Trained mental health first aiders from Music Support were available, with PLASA providing a private space for anyone who needed immediate help.

Backup also ran a new initiative, the Backup Clinic throughout the show. Members of the Backup team were available for anyone who wanted to talk, either for themselves or for someone else they wanted to signpost for help.

“We know just how difficult it can be to ask for help, whatever it is you need, and even more so when your mental health is affected,” says Backup Vice Chair, Piers Shepperd. “The Backup Clinic was a great opportunity to drop by and have a very informal chat to find out how we could help. We also had information available about our free Mental Health First Aider courses, so if you want to find out more about them and how training as a Mental Health First Aider can help you and the people you work with contact us at any time..”

Backup was delighted to be joined on the Well-being and Support Hub by fellow #WeMakeEvent charities Music Support and Stagehand.

In addition Backup invited to join them on the stand, fellow industry initiatives and friends of Backup – The Back Lounge, The Tour Production Group and We Need Crew.

The competition is held in association with headline partner and sponsor the Lightpower Collection. The Lightpower Collection is a long-time supporter of Backup and was looking for an idea that would shine a light on Backup and the work it does within the industry, that directly related to its stunning photographic collection.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Lightpower Collection on this new and exciting way to raise awareness of our industry and in particular the people that make live entertainment possible,” says Backup’s Vice Chair Piers Shepperd.

“The overall theme of the competition is ‘Entertainment Production’, but this is open to individual interpretation, so entrants can let their imaginations and creativity run wild!” “The Lightpower Collection was born out of the passion for Rock ‘n Roll photography and has become a valuable tool to support charities through the sale of original fine art prints,” says the Lightpower Collection’s Ralph-Jörg Wezorke. “This love for photography and the people in our industry makes us enthusiastic to support this competition, as it promotes appreciation for both. Photography is such an important tool to bring the spirit of our industry – in front of and behind the scenes – to the outside world. We want to promote this and at the same time raise awareness for the vitally important charities!” There are two categories to enter: Best Live Entertainment / Event Photo – encompassing any image that captures a live performance from a concert, theatre or TV production, or an event, and can include the audience as well as the show itself; and Best Backstage Production Photo – this can be any image that captures the backstage environment, from the crew at work during load in, a shot in the wings or at FOH of technicians at work, or in catering or the production office. People don’t need to be the central theme, so a shot of an empty stage or of a stack of equipment or flight cases also qualifies.

The judging team, selected by Backup, will assess all entries and pick their top ten photographs. These will be published online for a limited period for people to vote for ‘The Peoples’ Choice Award’, whilst the judges favourite picture will be given ‘The Judges Choice’ award.

The competition is open to anyone who does not earn their living from photography and are a UK resident. How to enter here:- https://www.backuptech.uk/backup-photographiccompetition

Supported by Collaborative Creations, and now in its fourth year, the competition is open to anyone from the technical entertainment and creative industries. Entrants can use their in-house skills and equipment to enhance their carved pumpkin.

“We’re delighted the industry has got behind it every year.” says Tom Wilkes of Collaborative Creations “We’ve been amazed at what people have come up with over the years and it’s a great way for the industry to raise money for a fantastic charity.”

The pumpkins will be judged in the following four categories: • Best Overall Design (judged by panel) • Best Use of Tech (judged by panel) • Most Overall Likes (on Instagram)

Entries have to be posted on Instagram with the hashtag #BackupPumpkinChallenge by 31st October to be eligible. The winners will be announced on 5th November. Head here to enter: www.backuptech.uk/the-backup-

Long-time Backup supporter Lightpower Collection have generously donated a prize of one of their photographic books to the winner of the ‘Best Overall Design’.

All money raised from fundraising will go to Backup, which provides financial support to industry technical professionals working in live events, theatre, TV and film who are seriously ill or who were involved in an accident.

The Backup Pumpkin Challenge is supported by the Association of Lighting and Production Designers and the Association of Sound Designers and new for 2022 industry magazines LSi and TPi.