About the series
Join us for a series of expert-led workshops to support actors and stage management professionals in building skills for improved mental health and sustainable creative practice. The sessions are facilitated by experienced practitioners who regularly work with performing artists.
Each of the six sessions focuses on a specific challenge, practical techniques for self-care, and support strategies. Each session works as a one-off or you can join all six.
Best of all, these workshops will be held online, so you can join from the comfort of your own home (and feel free to have your camera on or off as you prefer!).
Vocal Health for Actors
Managing Stress & Burnout
Sleep
ADHD and Neurodiversity
Isolation & Connection
Cool Downs – Stepping Outside of Work
Learn more about the other webinars
Managing Stress and Burnout
All of us can experience stress, anxiety and burnout. But it can be hard when you are in the middle of feeling stressed, anxious or burnt out to know it is happening, let alone to know how to manage it and where to turn.
In this ever popular session, dramatherapist Heather Turkington will take us through:
- The difference between stress and anxiety
- When stress can lead to burnout
- The signs and symptoms
- The risk factors and causes
- Strategies and techniques to reduce stress, anxiety and burnout
- When and where to get help
- Time for reflection, discussion and questions
- A handout with further reading and an exercise to try at home
Facilitator: Heather Turkington, Dramatherapist
Heather Turkington is a dramatherapist based in Co.Armagh in Northern Ireland.
Heather’s work sees her specialising in complex trauma, and holds post as Psychological Trauma Therapist in the NHS, working with people experiencing PTSD as a result of the NI conflict.
She also works privately and freelance in both therapeutic and organisational roles.
Actors’ Trust
The entertainment industry can be a collaborative, creative and exciting one, but it can, at times, be isolating and insecure. Actors’ Trust (which used to be known as the Actors’ Benevolent Fund) is here to provide a place of community and support for actors and stage management through our range of grants and wellbeing services.
We’ve been supporting industry professionals across sound, stage and screen since 1882. Today, we continue to make the greatest possible difference to a community that brings so much meaning and inspiration to others.
Whether you are in need of help or would like to support us, we are here and would love to hear from you.
Find out more or follow us on Instagram @actorstrust
BAPAM
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is the largest provider of clinical services to the UK’s performing arts sector, working with actors, music creators, performers, production professionals, dancers and other creative practitioners. The charity provides free, bespoke clinical advice and care from expert clinicians in a range of disciplines, responding to requests for help with mental health, musculoskeletal care, vocal health, hearing concerns and some eye care and dental health issues. With expertise gained in evidence-based practice and research in the field, BAPAM’s free workshops and online resources share knowledge and skills to support good health and sustainable creative careers.
Related events
Your voice is one of your most valuable tools and caring for it is essential for a sustainable career.This session, with Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Clarissa Hardaker, focuses on vocal wellbeing, prevention of strain, and healthy habits to support your voice through rehearsals, performances and beyond. This session is presented by Actors' Trust, in partnership with BAPAM, the largest provider of clinical services to the UKs entire performing arts sector.
Sleep has a clear link to how we feel and how we perform. While for some, sleep comes easily, many of us may be impacted by chronic or acute sleep issues. In this session we will explore sleep issues, techniques for improving sleep, sleep hygiene and when to seek clinical advice.
People with neurodivergent traits (diagnosed and undiagnosed) can find themselves with challenges at work. Without support and understanding, it can be hard to communicate your needs. And if the people around you dont understand your approach, you can feel lost and isolated.
This session with dramatherapist Heather Turkington will explore isolation and loneliness for actors and stage management professionals. Heather will take us compassionately through the differences between loneliness and solitude, how to recognise isolation and how to know when to reach out for support.