On 12 – 13 August, BAPAM joined Scotland’s music convention, Wide Days, as a charity partner. 200 delegates from 23 countries around the world took part. We were delighted to share essential knowledge for healthy and sustainable creative careers in presentations and one-to-one advisory sessions with featured artists, including Constant Follower, whose Stephen McAll explained how BAPAM had previously helped him with clinical advice and mentoring:
“My first contact with BAPAM was through the Do it Differently mentoring programme with Help Musicians. At the time I was experiencing significant difficulties from a wrist injury which affected my ability to play guitar. BAPAM arranged for a consultation which led to multiple sessions with a dedicated music physiotherapist who showed me how to strengthen, and resolve my problems. The mentoring itself has completely changed the way I look after my health as a musician. Key mentoring sessions were about maintaining physical health for performing, including vocal warm-ups, and general emotional and physical self-care around touring and playing live. I’d considered many of the self-care things to be for ‘proper singers’, but making them part of my routine has strengthened my voice and keeps me in better shape for that short-notice live show. It’s reassuring to know that BAPAM are there to provide help or guidance should a health challenge arise in the future.”