PRESS RELEASE For Release: Friday 10 October 2025
Embargoed until: Midnight Thursday 9th October, 2025
Contact: Siân Gale, Skills & Development Manager, CULT Cymru/Bectu – sian@bectu.org.uk : 075 7067 1867
Wales’ Creative Sector Unites to Tackle Poor Mental Health (or)
Wales’ creative industries are taking bold, collaborative steps to address the mental health challenges affecting their workforce.
On World Mental Health Day 2025, the union led CULT Cymru programme is launching a pioneering initiative that brings together trade unions, employers, government, and specialist organisations to tackle the root causes of poor mental health—particularly among freelancers.
With a focus on long-term cultural change, the aim is to make Wales a global leader in creative industries wellbeing by embedding support structures, training, and inclusive practices across TV, Film, live events and the arts.
Research has shown that poor working practices, insecure employment, and lack of support are contributing to widespread mental health and wellbeing problems across the creative sector. These challenges not only impact individuals but also hinder productivity, creativity, and the ability to attract and retain a skilled, diverse workforce.
Supported by the Welsh Government’s Wales Union Learning Fund and Creative Wales, the ‘CULT Cymru – Promoting Mental Health & Wellbeing 4 Creatives’ project is a partnership between creative unions, employers, and support organisations. Its goal is to drive long-term cultural change and position Wales as a global exemplar of best practice in creative sector wellbeing that attracts, supports and retains high quality creative professionals and businesses.
Key Programme Activities Include:
•Well-being Facilitators (WBFs) placed on TV and film productions to guide employers and support workers.
•Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for live events and music venue staff and freelancers.
•Training in Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) for employers and workers.
•Sharing and celebrating best practice across the industry.
Feedback from previous projects has been overwhelmingly positive. Workers reported feeling reassured, supported, and empowered to raise concerns. Employers noted improved relationships, better risk management, and enhanced policies around dignity and inclusion.
“I think this role is something that has been missing in the film+TV industry for decades… there is years and years of evidence which supports this assertion.” – Worker feedback
“Even though we were a bit sceptical before starting the scheme, implementing it was much easier than expected and the support from the cast and crew was positive.” – Employer feedback
The Need for Change – Industry Statistics:
• 76% of freelancers in TV & Film said poor recruitment practices negatively impacted their mental health (Bectu/CULT Cymru, 2024)
• 30% of UK freelancers had suicidal thoughts in the past year (Film & TV Charity, 2024)
• 32% female musicians in the UK experienced sexual harassment (Musicians’ Census, 2023)
• 60% behind the scenes creatives in Wales are struggling financially (Bectu, 2025)
• 68% creative freelancers considering leaving the industry (Creative Wales, 2024)
The programme is guided by an Advisory Group of employers, unions, and industry bodies including TAC, and includes partnerships with 6ft from the Spotlight CIC and Beacons Cymru CIC.
Endorsements:
Announcing the programme during Global Mental Health Day, 2025:
Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership said:
“The mental health and wellbeing of our creative workforce is essential for maintaining Wales’ position as a vibrant, world-class destination for creative industries. The statistics are stark – too many talented people are struggling. That’s why I’m proud the Welsh Government is supporting CULT Cymru’s groundbreaking initiative bringing together unions, employers, and specialist organisations in an unprecedented collaborative effort”.
“This programme focuses on practical and embedded solutions, ensuring our creative professionals have the support they need to thrive. By investing in our workforce, we’ll continue to attract and retain the very best talent from around the
world who can feel secure in the knowledge there’s dedicated support there for them should they ever need it.”
Simon Curtis, Chair, BEAU Cymru (Broadcasting, Entertainment & Arts Unions Cymru)
“BEAU Cymru is proud of our joint-union initiative and commitment to addressing the structural causes of poor mental health in the creative industries. As highlighted by the unions, meaningful change requires collective action across employers, unions, and policymakers to create safe, supportive working environments for all. We believe that dignity, inclusion, and wellbeing must be embedded in every workplace culture — and this pioneering initiative represents a vital step towards that goal in Wales”.
Siân Gale, Skills & Development Manager, Bectu/CULT Cymru said:
“Our aim is to work collaboratively to develop a creative sector fit for current and future generations that is inclusive, fair and innovative.
Social partnership is an ideal vehicle to radically change the culture of the industry so that Wales’ creative workforce and businesses can survive and thrive in an environment where fair, safe and supportive working practices are the norm.”
Michelle White, Director, 6ft From the Spotlight CIC, said:
“We have been working with CULT Cymru to develop and embed the role of Wellbeing Facilitator in Wales for the past 5 years. This has been an incredibly fruitful collaboration which has seen us train a network of professionals, work with 38 productions to date and build real momentum around the welfare, mental health and wellbeing of the freelance community in Wales.
Through this work, Wales has become a leading light, helping to define and establish best practice and innovate to embed it directly into production processes”.
Dywedodd Llyr Morus, Cadeirydd TAC:
“Mae TAC yn falch iawn o gefnogi CULT Cymru gyda’r gwaith i fynd i’r afael ag iechyd meddwl gwael yn y diwydiant. Mae TAC eisoes yn gweithio’n agos ac yn cydweithio’n rheolaidd gyda CULT Cymru i ddarparu gwybodaeth a hyfforddiant sy’n alinio’r cymorth sydd ar gael i’r sector llawrydd a chwmnïau cynhyrchu yng Nghymru. Mae TAC yn edrych ymlaen at barhau â’r berthynas hon a’i chryfhau.”
Llyr Morus, TAC Chair said:
TAC is extremely pleased to support CULT Cymru with the work to tackle poor mental health in the industry. TAC is already working closely and collaborating
regularly with CULT Cymru to provide information and training aligning the support that is on offer to the freelance sector and production companies in Wales. TAC looks forward to continuing with and strengthening this relationship.”
Spike Griffiths, Director, Beacons Cymru CIC said:
“The wellbeing of those working in music is not a side issue, it is fundamental to the future of the music sector. We are proud to support CULT Cymru’s initiative on World Mental Health Day, recognising that access to support, training and open conversations about mental health must become standard practice across the industry.”
Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary:
“At the same time as providing support for those who need it, as an industry we need to tackle the root causes of poor mental wellbeing. The Musicians’ Census has clearly identified contributing factors such as low pay, career barriers and witnessing or experiencing discrimination.”
WGGB General Secretary Ellie Peers said:
“We know from our members that there are a multitude of factors affecting the mental health of freelancers in the creative industries and we are proud to be a partner in this pioneering, collaborative initiative in Wales.
“It is vital that we work together to tackle the root cause of poor mental health amongst creative freelancers and bring about long-term cultural change to ensure that creators are protected in fair, safe and supportive workplaces.”
Notes for editors
The creative sector contributes 5% to the Welsh economy. It has significant added benefits including culture, arts, tourism and promoting health and wellbeing.
CULT Cymru (Creative Unions Learning Together) is a partnership between trade unions Bectu, Equity, the Musicians’ Union and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. It is primarily funded by the Wales Union Learning Fund with Creative Wales providing additional support for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
The Well-being Facilitator (WBF) programme is a partnership between CULT Cymru and mental health and wellbeing specialists 6ft from the Spotlight CIC.
6ft from the Spotlight CIC developed a bespoke WellBeing Facilitator role and trains and supports freelance WBFs in the Screen and Theatre Sector.
From September 2022 to March 2025, 38 TV and Film productions received grants for WellBeing Facilitator placements. 10 production companies will benefit from the current programme that runs until March 2026.
CULT Cymru has trained over 150 First Aiders across Wales and organises regular continual professional development opportunities for them.
CULT Cymru has established a new relationship with Beacons Cymru, supporting young people in the music industry, to drive forward further clusters of Mental Health First Aiders in Live Events/Music.
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Research/Information
Feedback & outcomes from previous CULT Cymru projects around the benefits of the WellBeing Facilitator:
Challenges:
• Long, unsocial working hours
•Financial pressures – lack of work
•Feeling of isolation
•Poor recruitment practices
•Fear of raising issues with production
•Poor welfare – toilets, wet/cold weather gear
•Lack of progression
•Lack of leadership & management skills
•Lack of understanding around EDI
•Low budgets. Late notification of commissions
•Lack of job clarity or support for trainees and their supervisors
Benefits:
•Reassuring – trained person listening
•Created a safe space – confidentiality
•Ability to raise concerns & personal probs.
•Highlighting importance of Welfare
•Improved relationships across the board
•Sign posted to support organisations
•Access to appropriate clothing / facilities
•Establishing ‘Kit4Crew’ via Real SFX
•Support for new entrants & under-represented groups
Benfits Production Companies:
•Confidentiality & impartiality for employer & workforce
•Flagging up potential pinch points in scripts
•Support with MH & Stress Risk Assessments
•Reassurance that workforce could raise personal issues
•Freelancers raising work issues they may not be aware of
•Support in tricky situations – de-escalation
•Creating new policies e.g. Dignity at work
•Support with Diversity & Equity issues – signposting
Mental Health Scoping Report – Equity
Mental Health Charter – Equity
Contact: Siân Gale, Skills & Development Manager. CULT Cymru/Bectu sian@bectu.org.uk.