BAPAM Archives - BAPAM Performing Arts Medicine Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:36:50 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.8 /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-FAVICON3-32x32.png BAPAM Archives - BAPAM 32 32 Creative Health Practitioner Wellbeing Series: Relationships and Boundaries /eventbrite-event/creative-health-practitioner-wellbeing-series-relationships-and-boundaries/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:36:50 +0000 /eventbrite-event/creative-health-practitioner-wellbeing-series-relationships-and-boundaries/ Practical support to protect the health and wellbeing of performing artists working in creative health settings About this Session Safe Practice: Relationships and Boundaries The importance of clear boundaries when working helps to protect us and the people we work with. But what are our boundaries and how we apply them in our work? In […]

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]]> Practical support to protect the health and wellbeing of performing artists working in creative health settings

About this Session

Safe Practice: Relationships and Boundaries

The importance of clear boundaries when working helps to protect us and the people we work with. But what are our boundaries and how we apply them in our work? In this session we will look at:

  • What boundaries are any why they matter
  • Different boundary styles
  • The ways relationships can develop in a creative health setting
  • Strategies for setting and maintaining professional boundaries
  • Self-reflection and peer discussion

Facilitator: Dena Oxley, BACP-registered psychotherapeutic counsellor

Dena Oxley is an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and clinical supervisor with over eleven years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and fellow practitioners.

Dena developed into a trauma-informed practitioner before establishing her private practice in Suffolk. She now offers integrative counselling to individuals and couples alongside supervision for both student and qualified counsellors.

Dena has served as Clinical Lead for the Britten Pears Arts Prison Project for the past five years and has contributed to wider sector advocacy through the Britten Pears Arts ThinkTank initiative in 2023, which brought together leading organisations to address musician wellbeing, workplace support, and equity across the music industry.

About the Series

Working in creative health is rewarding, and is increasingly part of many performing arts careers, but it also comes with its own challenges and can be emotionally and mentally demanding for artists delivering programmes, impacting their own health.

This series for performing artists working in creative health settings gives practical and empathetic support to ensure that they are able to deliver their work in a way that protects their own health and wellbeing. Developed by BAPAM in partnership with The BRIT Trust, these sessions are facilitated by healthcare professionals with expertise in both health and performance settings.

If you are a performing artist working in creative health, this series will help you to support others while understanding and managing risks involved in your work, have a plan of what to do when unexpected situations arise, set clear boundaries and know when and where to seek support.

The series covers four key areas:

The BRIT Trust

The BRIT Trust was established in 1989 by UK record labels with the BPI and the wider music community. Its founding mission was to draw on the transformative power of music and the arts to do good and to enable positive life pathways for young people of all backgrounds – recognising that this can best be achieved by embracing accessibility, diversity and inclusion as key values.

Funded largely by monies raised each year by The BRIT Awards and the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS), The BRIT Trust has to date made more than 280 grant commitments totalling almost £30 million to a wide range of causes and charities across the UK that inspire people to realise their full potential and life chances, whatever their abilities, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.

BAPAM

BAPAM is the medical charity for the performing arts. We are the largest provider of clinical services to the UK’s entire performing arts sector. Our events give artists, creators, technicians, teachers, and organisers the knowledge they need to improve health and enjoy sustainable careers.

All our training and expert clinics for people in the performing arts are available for free because of the support of our community.Help us create a healthier world for performing arts professionals. .

The post Creative Health Practitioner Wellbeing Series: Relationships and Boundaries appeared first on BAPAM.

]]> Creative Health Practitioner Wellbeing Series: Individual Support Needs /eventbrite-event/creative-health-practitioner-wellbeing-series-individual-support-needs/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:36:50 +0000 /eventbrite-event/creative-health-practitioner-wellbeing-series-individual-support-needs/ Practical support to protect the health and wellbeing of performing artists working in creative health settings About the Session Identifying Individual Need For Support While working in creative health, looking after yourself is just as, if not more, important as taking care of others. In this session we will look at: Signs and symptoms of […]

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]]> Practical support to protect the health and wellbeing of performing artists working in creative health settings

About the Session

Identifying Individual Need For Support

While working in creative health, looking after yourself is just as, if not more, important as taking care of others. In this session we will look at:

  • Signs and symptoms of mental health problems
  • Potential triggers
  • Types of support
  • Signposting

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.

About the Series

Working in creative health is rewarding, and is increasingly part of many performing arts careers, but it also comes with its own challenges and can be emotionally and mentally demanding for artists delivering programmes, impacting their own health.

This series for performing artists working in creative health settings gives practical and empathetic support to ensure that they are able to deliver their work in a way that protects their own health and wellbeing. Developed by BAPAM in partnership with The BRIT Trust, these sessions are facilitated by healthcare professionals with expertise in both health and performance settings.

If you are a performing artist working in creative health, this series will help you to support others while understanding and managing risks involved in your work, have a plan of what to do when unexpected situations arise, set clear boundaries and know when and where to seek support.

The series covers four key areas:

The BRIT Trust

The BRIT Trust was established in 1989 by UK record labels with the BPI and the wider music community. Its founding mission was to draw on the transformative power of music and the arts to do good and to enable positive life pathways for young people of all backgrounds – recognising that this can best be achieved by embracing accessibility, diversity and inclusion as key values.

Funded largely by monies raised each year by The BRIT Awards and the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS), The BRIT Trust has to date made more than 280 grant commitments totalling almost £30 million to a wide range of causes and charities across the UK that inspire people to realise their full potential and life chances, whatever their abilities, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.

BAPAM

BAPAM is the medical charity for the performing arts. We are the largest provider of clinical services to the UK’s entire performing arts sector. Our events give artists, creators, technicians, teachers, and organisers the knowledge they need to improve health and enjoy sustainable careers.

All our training and expert clinics for people in the performing arts are available for free because of the support of our community.Help us create a healthier world for performing arts professionals. .

The post Creative Health Practitioner Wellbeing Series: Individual Support Needs appeared first on BAPAM.

]]> For MU Members in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Managing Stress and Burnout in the Music Industry /eventbrite-event/for-mu-members-in-scotland-and-northern-ireland-managing-stress-and-burnout-in-the-music-industry/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:47:06 +0000 /?post_type=eventbrite_events&p=68217 This is a free online session for MU members based in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to book a place please email sni@themu.org. A Zoom meeting link will be circulated at the point of registration. Join the Musicians’ Union and BAPAM for a one-hour online session with Dramatherapist Heather Turkington, exploring stress and burnout, their signs […]

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]]> This is a free online session for MU members based in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to book a place please email sni@themu.org. A Zoom meeting link will be circulated at the point of registration.

Join the Musicians’ Union and BAPAM for a one-hour online session with Dramatherapist Heather Turkington, exploring stress and burnout, their signs and causes, practical coping strategies, and when and where to seek support, free for MU members in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

About the event

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 session, Dramatherapist Heather Turkington will take us through:

  • When stress can lead to burnout
  • The signs and symptoms
  • The risk factors and causes
  • Strategies and techniques to reduce stress 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.

About Heather

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. In her spare time she is an actor and musician.

How to attend

This is a free session for MU members based in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to book a place please email sni@themu.org. A Zoom meeting link will be circulated at the point of registration.

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]]> Check Your Levels: Staying Well on the Road /eventbrite-event/check-your-levels-staying-well-on-the-road-2/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:28:59 +0000 /eventbrite-event/check-your-levels-staying-well-on-the-road-2/ If you work on the road, in any role, it’s important you know how to prepare, stay well when you’re away and readjust when you return Check Your Levels is an online series that helps people in music to take care of their mental health. Led by a qualified counsellor with music industry experience, each […]

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]]> If you work on the road, in any role, it’s important you know how to prepare, stay well when you’re away and readjust when you return

Check Your Levels is an online series that helps people in music to take care of their mental health. Led by a qualified counsellor with music industry experience, each session explores a different aspect of working in music and how it can impact mental wellbeing. They also provide techniques and strategies to help you work through challenging times, equipping you with tools that you can use day-to-day.

Touring is one of the best, and toughest, gigs in music. Relationships are intense, hours are long, sleep is often limited and it can be really difficult to keep up healthy connections and routines. If you work on the road, in any role, its really important you know how to prepare, stay well when you’re away and readjust when you return to ensure you can enjoy the experience, while limiting risks to your wellbeing. This session will explore:

  • How to prepare for working away from home
  • What to do while away to help prioritise self-care
  • How to adjust to life back at home after a tour
  • Handling jet lag

The post Check Your Levels: Staying Well on the Road appeared first on BAPAM.

]]> BAPAM and One Dance UK present Dance for Life: Healthy Lifelong Practice for Dancers /eventbrite-event/bapam-and-one-dance-uk-present-dance-for-life-healthy-lifelong-practice-for-dancers/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:05:08 +0000 /?post_type=eventbrite_events&p=66916 ¶Ù²¹³Ù±ð:Ìý12 Nov 25 Start Time: 10 AM End Time: 11.30 AM Join BAPAM and One Dance UK for an insightful CPD session focused on healthy lifelong practice. Led by accredited counsellor and psychotherapist Laura Duester and former professional dancer turned internationally recognised teacher, lecturer, and researcher Edel Quin, the session will explore strategies for sustainable practice to […]

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]]> ¶Ù²¹³Ù±ð:Ìý12 Nov 25

Start Time: 10 AM

End Time: 11.30 AM

Join BAPAM and One Dance UK for an insightful CPD session focused on healthy lifelong practice. Led by accredited counsellor and psychotherapist Laura Duester and former professional dancer turned internationally recognised teacher, lecturer, and researcher Edel Quin, the session will explore strategies for sustainable practice to nurture your body and mind. Focusing on specific career transitions, as well as the importance of warm up, cool down and rest, you’ll leave the session with tools to help sustain your career, whether you’re at the start of your journey or a seasoned professional.

Laura Duester

Laura Duester is an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, offering one-to-one and couple therapy in Bicester (Oxfordshire) and online. She runs a clinical practice, , specialising in working with anxiety, trauma, relationships and dancers/performers. Laura also regularly delivers mental health training for organisations.

Laura’s core approach is psychodynamic psychotherapy, complemented by additional expertise in positive psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), outdoor (walk and talk) therapy, neurodivergence, couple relationships, Rewind trauma therapy, mindfulness, life coaching and mental health first aid. She is accredited with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and a registered practitioner for the Ä¢¹½tv.

Laura has extensive professional experience from roles within universities, schools, charities and helplines. She has created self-help resources including a guided  and a free  online course. Her work has also been featured in major media outlets including the BBC, ITV, The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph and HuffPost.

Edel Quin

Edel is a former professional dancer, turned internationally recognised dance teacher, lecturer, and researcher. She co-authored ‘Safe Dance Practice: An Applied Dance Science Perspective’ (Human Kinetics, 2015), a cornerstone resource in the field of dance teaching and training. In 2021, Edel was awarded the prestigious International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) Dance Educator Award, honouring her work in integrating dance science into teaching and prioritising dancer well-being through evidence-based practice across styles, ages, and settings.

Edel has worked at leading institutions across the globe including Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (UK), Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (Hong Kong), Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (University of Limerick, Ireland), University of Bern (Switzerland), Beijing Dance Academy (China) and University of Wyoming (USA). Now based in Chichester, UK, Edel contributes to the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Dance Science, Dance, and Sport Science at the University of Chichester. As a freelance educator her work continues to inform and support future generations of dancers and educators.

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]]> Self-care for Musicians: Creativity and Motivation /eventbrite-event/self-care-for-musicians-creativity-and-motivation/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:51:19 +0000 /eventbrite-event/self-care-for-musicians-creativity-and-motivation/ In this session we will explore optimal creative conditions, overcoming creative blocks and the different types of motivation Creativity requires intuition, emotion, rationality and abstract thought. Different artists will need different circumstances to be in place in order to create. Knowing what you need and being able to create appropriate circumstances is the key to […]

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]]> In this session we will explore optimal creative conditions, overcoming creative blocks and the different types of motivation

Creativity requires intuition, emotion, rationality and abstract thought. Different artists will need different circumstances to be in place in order to create. Knowing what you need and being able to create appropriate circumstances is the key to fruitful creative processes.

This session will cover:

  • What is creativity?
  • Optimal creative conditions
  • Different types of motivation
  • How to understand and overcome creative blocks
  • Sustaining creativity long-term

 

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]]> Self-care for Musicians: Authenticity and Identity /eventbrite-event/self-care-for-musicians-authenticity-and-identity/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:34:21 +0000 /eventbrite-event/self-care-for-musicians-authenticity-and-identity/ This session will explore what is identity and why it matters, as well as how to find an authentic identity both generally and as a musician In this session, we will explore: What is identity, and why does it matter? The true and false self Authenticity in music How to find an authentic identity – […]

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]]> This session will explore what is identity and why it matters, as well as how to find an authentic identity both generally and as a musician

In this session, we will explore:

What is identity, and why does it matter?

The true and false self

Authenticity in music

How to find an authentic identity – both in general and as a musician

Exploring identity: roles, aspects and signature strengths

The post Self-care for Musicians: Authenticity and Identity appeared first on BAPAM.

]]> Self-care for Musicians: Physical Health and Mental Health /eventbrite-event/self-care-for-musicians-physical-health-and-mental-health/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:34:19 +0000 /eventbrite-event/self-care-for-musicians-physical-health-and-mental-health/ Many musicians experience a performance-related injury or pain whilst playing. This session explores the impact of this on mental health Many musicians experience a performance-related injury or pain or discomfort whilst playing. This session explores the impact this can have on well-being and mental health by looking at identity, acceptance, flexibility and creativity, coping, resilience […]

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]]> Many musicians experience a performance-related injury or pain whilst playing. This session explores the impact of this on mental health

Many musicians experience a performance-related injury or pain or discomfort whilst playing. This session explores the impact this can have on well-being and mental health by looking at identity, acceptance, flexibility and creativity, coping, resilience and motivation.

The post Self-care for Musicians: Physical Health and Mental Health appeared first on BAPAM.

]]> Check Your Levels: Dealing with Difficult Behaviour /eventbrite-event/check-your-levels-dealing-with-difficult-behaviour-2/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:34:18 +0000 /eventbrite-event/check-your-levels-dealing-with-difficult-behaviour-2/ This session will explore what unacceptable behaviour, bullying and harassment look like, how to respond and where to get support Everyone in music has the right to feel safe and respected at work. If you come across a situation that doesn’t make you feel that way, you have the right to support in dealing with […]

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]]> This session will explore what unacceptable behaviour, bullying and harassment look like, how to respond and where to get support

Everyone in music has the right to feel safe and respected at work. If you come across a situation that doesn’t make you feel that way, you have the right to support in dealing with that, without fear of losing that work or any future work. This session will explore:

  • How to recognise when your boundaries are crossed and behaviour isn’t acceptable
  • How to recognise bullying and harassment happening in music
  • How to respond in the moment to difficult behaviour
  • Emotional and practical support available to people in music if you experience or witness bullying, harassment or discrimination

The post Check Your Levels: Dealing with Difficult Behaviour appeared first on BAPAM.

]]> RSM and BAPAM Present: Mindful Movement /eventbrite-event/rsm-and-bapam-present-mindful-movement/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 11:31:39 +0000 /?post_type=eventbrite_events&p=66263 A practical sessions for all ages, RSM Member Veronika Klirova will lead you through movement based exercises which will warm up the muscles and encourage flexibility whilst focusing the mind on the body. Veronika Klirova is a flute player at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a yoga teacher for musicians and a passionate performance […]

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]]> A practical sessions for all ages, RSM Member Veronika Klirova will lead you through movement based exercises which will warm up the muscles and encourage flexibility whilst focusing the mind on the body.

Veronika Klirova is a flute player at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a yoga teacher for musicians and a passionate performance wellbeing advocate. She completed her first yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India is 2018 and has been teaching and further educating herself on the subject ever since. She has delivered Musicians’ Yoga sessions for BAPAM, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

This session is suitable for all ages and can be done seated.

The post RSM and BAPAM Present: Mindful Movement appeared first on BAPAM.

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