Brass on the Mind and in the Bandroom

Tabby Kerwin launches her new initiative to help provide a greater understanding of mental health and well-being issues — right in the heart of your bandroom.

Tabby Kerwin is pioneering the approach to mental health in brass banding

Sunday, 22 December 2019

The New Year will see the launch of the new 'Brass on the Mind' project created by Tabby Kerwin of Mode forâ€¦

As well as online awareness groups and educational workshops the project will also involve several subsidised opportunities for Tabby to visit bandrooms across the UK to raise awareness of mental health issues.

These will include the language, resilience and support of mental health and well-being for brass band musicians as well as incorporating better support structures and mental health policies in organisations.

Importance

Tabby told 4BR: "In 2019 we've managed to bring the importance of mental health to the fore and through my own research into mental health in brass bands and my training as a Mental Health First Aid instructor, it's now important to act on all the valuable information we have to actively promote better mental health and supports for all our musicians in the bandroom."

She added: "With more awareness, understanding, support, resilience and structures in place in our bandrooms, together we can help create a safer and more supportive environment for the musicians that need it."

Raise awareness

Over next year Tabby revealed that she will develop a blog, podcast and online groups to raise awareness and share live experiences of mental health and wellbeing.

Tabby will also be visiting bands to create more awareness of mental health, whilst also helping to support individual musicians and promote coping strategies for better mental resilience.

She concluded: "I'm delighted I can offer several subsidised opportunities for these bandroom visits, meaning this information is really accessible to bands at all levels.

We have made great progress in acknowledging mental health in brass bands but this is just the beginning in terms of creating an environment to support each other's health and consequently keep our brass band movement more buoyant."

With more awareness, understanding, support, resilience and structures in place in our bandrooms, together we can help create a safer and more supportive environment for the musicians that need itTabby Kerwin

Get in touch

Brass on the Mind bandroom visits are two hours long and can take place on a band's rehearsal night. Any bands interested in having Tabby visit them in 2020 and grabbing one of the subsidised visits can email her info@modefor.co.uk for more information.

Brass on The Mind Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/brassonthemind
Mode forâ€¦ www.modefor.co.uk

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us