Support from the Wellbeing Fund for the TV and film sector in Wales is available until March 2025.
This initiative offers production companies and resource organisations, such as post-production houses, the opportunity to apply for funding to enhance team wellbeing or address specific welfare needs within a production.
Companies may choose to apply for a Wellbeing Facilitator to be placed directly on TV and film productions to support the mental health, welfare and wellbeing of cast, crew and contributors, or for Wellbeing Consultancy, through which a Wellbeing Facilitator will assist in implementing strategies to foster a mentally healthy work environment and positive team culture.
To apply, please contact us at: mbowen@bectu.org.uk
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CULT Cymru, employers and the Welsh Government have come together with mental health and wellbeing specialists 6ft from the Spotlight CIC to start tackling the problem of poor mental health within the screen industry in Wales by recruiting, training and placing wellbeing facilitators (WBFs) on screen productions.
What is a Wellbeing Facilitator?
A Wellbeing facilitator is a fully trained impartial individual who can assist the company to meet the legal duty of care of cast and crew, who can advise HOD’s on issues such as bullying, harassment and discrimination, reduce stress and prevent issues arising from difficult management situations.
Role of the Wellbeing Facilitator
What does the WBF do?
The role of the Wellbeing Facilitator on productions is to support and advise the Heads of Department (HoD) and Producers on how best to meet their legal duty of care to the crew* and cast as a neutral third party.
They can assist with de-escalating and investigating instances of bullying, harassment and discrimination. They are also there to actively support the cast and crew with their own mental health, resilience and wellbeing as they work.
The WBF can also provide coaching and support for HoDs and producers where necessary to reduce stress and prevent issues arising from difficult management situations.
NB: The Wellbeing Facilitator is not a counsellor or therapist and will not diagnose illness or clinical conditions. They will, however, signpost and refer an individual for expert support where necessary.
DURING PRE-PRODUCTION
- Agree Policy, escalation and thresholds for bullying and harassment processes.
Working with the producers and production company to define the processes to deal with any incidents of bullying or harassment with a view to de-escalation, mediation and education in the first instance. All to dovetail with any existing policies and procedures. - Write and Agree the Production Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy.
This will set the tone of the production and help to reduce stigma allowing people to come forward. - Write and agree on the Production Stress/Mental Health Risk Assessments (Environment, Content etc.)
Stress and mental health risk assessments are required by law. The risk assessment will take into account the context of the production (eg location, Covid restrictions, other threats) and the content (eg script, crew/cast demographic) any responses from the Personal Wellbeing Plan and propose control measures to help prevent MH issues, support those with existing issues and also reduce the impact of the production on the MH of the crew and cast. - Communicate importance and function of role with cast and crew
Attend pre-production and HoD meetings to introduce the concepts of the WBF to the senior crew and where necessary offer training with regard to their remit and the various policies. - Write and issue Personal Wellbeing plans for the crew and cast.
A questionnaire which is issued to crew and cast prior to the production so that they can disclose any issues, triggers or concerns about their Mental Health and wellbeing. This informs the risk assessments and allows the WBF to formulate support plans should the need arise. The personal wellbeing plan is confidential and voluntary. - Set Up Peer Networks for additional support offer
Create a peer network across the production so that crew and cast can discuss any Mental Health or wellbeing initiatives/issues to support each other. It may be that 2 people have the same illness and therefore can support each other through the production.
PRODUCTION/POST PRODUCTION – Part-time on-location based on risk assessments.
- Lead on de-escalation of bullying or harassment issues
Where necessary intervene as per the policies and procedures agreed to de-escalate and resolve incidents of bullying and harassment by coaching HoDs and crew/cast. Where necessary facilitate mediation, investigation and recommend further action. This is to allow the production to continue and HoDs to remain focussed on managing their teams efficiently. - Implement controls from Stress/Mental Health risk assessment. (Legally required)
For example, where crew have disclosed an issue or a trigger the WBF can organise regular check-ins with them and support if a particular scene/schedule or location may cause them an issue. - Offer team and management coaching
The WBF can assist the HoD and their team with challenges as they arise and can additionally draw on the team of specialists at 6ft From the Spotlight should any challenges require an expert coaching approach or strategy. Intervening at early stages with teams can reduce conflict and stress and improve creativity and wellbeing. - Active signposting for help
The WBF will signpost crew and cast to specific and helpful resources that may support them. These may be clinical professionals or community-based support. - Suggest and implement positive prevention Initiatives for production
For example, creating a small safe space for crew to talk or reminding crew to look after their own wellbeing with tips on sleep hygiene, emotional regulation, mindfulness, distress reduction etc - Support and supervise existing Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA’s) and other dual roles
The WBF will provide support to any other crew members who are trained as MHFA’s. MHFA’s also need support especially when working in busy roles themselves. The WBF will act as an advisor to the MHFA’s and check that they are supported and able to cope with the demands. - Engage in active listening to support crew and production
90% of the time crew and cast benefit from an independent party who has time to listen to their issues and who is able to provide a safe space to discuss their challenges. The presence of the WBF on a production allows this dialogue to occur without fear of recrimination. - Liaise with H&S/Unit/Set Medic on mental health/wellbeing issues
Coordinate with the medic to ensure there is a co-ordinated response to any incidents or issues. Physical health and mental health are related. For example, fatigue or heat exhaustion can cause stress.
POST PRODUCTION
- Review and Reflection
The WBF will conduct a review of the production and any incidents in order to draw upon any learnings to facilitate improvements. They will also survey the crew and cast their thoughts and opinions for improvement. - Continued Support
The WBF will continue to support the crew and cast for an agreed period after the production has ended.
How do crew and cast access the WBF?
The WBF is available at all pre-agreed times either on production or remotely. Where the risk assessments highlight key triggers (Long days, distressing scenes, night shoots etc) the WBF will ensure they are able to offer appropriate support.
Bullying and Harassment
Any reports of bullying/harassment are taken seriously and the WBF as a third party can offer robust support across the parties involved. The WBF will help the production implement the 8 BFI principles and others as advised via CULT Cymru e.g. Bectu’s Welfare Guidance. The WBF will discuss the production specific reporting procedures with the senior crew and adhere to the requirements. WBF’s are trained in ways to navigate and support incidents of bullying and harassment.
Additionally, WBF’s are fully supported by the team at 6ft From the Spotlight where they can access guidance from a team of behavioural, mental health and legal specialists.
Support for WBFs
Each WBF has an experienced member of the 6ft From the Spotlight team as their supervisor/mentor and will be given robust support themselves throughout the production. Additionally, should they require specialised guidance or expert interventions in terms of mental health, wellbeing, bullying and harassment, safeguarding or the law – this can be accessed via 6ft From the Spotlight by the WBF at any stage.
Additional support and information will be provided via CULT Cymru around Wales specific laws and policies and support organisations.
WBF Accountability
Should a production wish to feedback at any point about their WBF they will have direct access to 6ft From the Spotlight. We will work with productions to ensure that each WBF is appropriately placed within the context of the particular production and the needs of the crew.
*The term crew is used to include all those working behind the scenes on production including writers, post production, caterers, security etc.