Support helplines

Yes, it is free to use both our helplines and text service inside the UK (more information on overseas users below).

Our helplines and text service can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year.

People get in touch with us for all sorts of reasons, not just their work in music.

Some of the most common things people want to discuss are difficulties with relationships, stress and bereavement, but many people just want someone to talk to about how they’re feeling at that moment.

You can call our Bullying and Harassment helpline for help with a situation which relates to work in music. The impact of bullying or harassment can be felt for a long time afterwards, so you can also talk to us about something that happened in the past — please be aware, however, that there can be time limits on taking action, if this is something you are considering.

If you ring our helpline, the person who answers your call (the call handler) will be a BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) accredited counsellor who will offer you in the moment advice and support and appreciates the challenges of working in the music industry. If a counsellor is unavailable, a callback will be arranged at a time that works for you.

When you call the Bullying and Harrassment helpline, the advisor who answers your call will be an information specialist in the area of bullying and harassment, with an appreciation of the challenges of working in the music industry.

Our text service is managed by trained volunteers who undergo rigorous training, have access to industry-specific insights, and the ability to connect you with other services. They are also overseen by clinical supervisors. 

You can expect to receive emotional support, information, guidance and signposting to additional services that may be of help.

You may also be able to access additional support, such as counselling and advice on benefits, debt and legal issues.

When you call the Bullying and Harrasment helpline, we’ll talk through your situation and offer advice on how best to resolve it, pointing you towards services which may be helpful to you.

If appropriate, you will receive guidance and support in approaching a constructive conversation with the other party in order to resolve the issue. This may include preparation advice and coping strategies to use during the more challenging parts of the conversation.

In the event that the bullying or harassment situation continues, you can receive guidance and legal information on the process of making a formal complaint, or on what options are available. At this point you may be put in contact with a third party for legal advice.

Yes. We keep a record of the helpline enquiries we receive on a database, which can only be seen by staff who are involved in providing the Music Minds Matter service.

There’s no need to give us your name if you don’t want to, or any information you don’t feel comfortable sharing. However, we do need to let you know that there are situations where we may not be able to keep the information you give us confidential. This is where there might be a risk to your own health and safety, the health and safety of others or if you have been involved in a crime. 

All messages via the text service are confidential, unless we believe that you or somebody else is in immediate danger. In such situations it is possible that a clinician will share your details with emergency services. 

There is no cap or limit to how many times you can get in touch with our helplines or text service. 

Of course, you can get in touch and receive emotional support and signposting through Music Minds Matter.

Although the 0808 number is free to call in the UK, there may be costs associated with calling abroad. It’s best to check with your provider.

You can text MUSIC to 85258 free and anonymously from all major UK networks. It is free and confidential to text our service from all the major UK networks EE, O2, Three and Vodafone, as well as BT Mobile, GiffGaff, iD Mobile, Lebara, Sky, Smarty, Telecom Plus, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Voxi.

We use the definition of bullying and harassment at work as stated by ACAS.

You can read these definitions in full, and read examples of both situations, at acas​.org​.uk.

The Musicians’ Union’s Safe Space scheme allows you to anonymously report your own experiences, or cases of sexual harassment that you have witnessed.

This is open to everyone working in music, regardless of whether you are an MU member:

Report to Safe Space

If you are affected by bullying and harassment, you may be able to access free legal advice and support if you are a member of the organisations listed below:

• MU
• ISM
• Equity
• Bectu