Supporting Broadcasters During COVID
On 20 January 2021, the Trust hosted a special webinar on the subject of Broadcasting in the Time of Corona: Strategies for Journalists and Broadcasters.
During the conversation, participants talked about how they and their colleagues have responded to some of the challenges posed by working during a pandemic and there was reference to some of the resources that are publicly available to support broadcasters, journalists and content-makers at this time.
Since the webinar we’ve been asked by a number of people if we could share the list of some of the organisations offering different kinds of support that was shared in the “chat” accompanying the webinar.
- The Film + TV Charity have a 24-hour support line offering friendly, confidential advice on any and everything from legal queries, mental health and wellbeing, financial guidance, family issues or even your hopes and ambitions. You can ring them on 0800 054 000 or start a webchat and find out more on their website: https://www.filmtvcharity.org.uk
- The Writers’ Guild have put together a brilliant and comprehensive document listing sources of mental health and funding/financial support for freelancers. You can find it here: https://writersguild.org.uk/covid-19-advice-for-members/
- One in seven people working in the UK today are self-employed. IPS- or the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed – have a constantly updated page of “Coronavirus FAQs” for freelancers and the self-employed reflecting the latest government policy and advice. And, if you have a question they haven’t answered, you can email them and they’ll do their best to help. https://www.ipse.co.uk/coronavirus-hub/coronavirus-self-employed-faqs.html
- The BFI are also publishing and regularly updating advice, guidance and support for people working in the film and TV sectors, including information about the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme: https://www.bfi.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/working-screen-industry-during-covid-19
- Radio TechCon have published a page of practical advice for broadcasters/broadcast engineers who are having to work remotely or away from studio. https://www.radiotechcon.com/coronavirus-help-for-broadcast-engineers-working-in-radio/
- AudioUK – formerly known as the Radio Independents Group – have published guidance in consultation with the DCMS for people working in audio e.g. radio, podcasting, audiobooks, studio recording etc. There’s detail about risk assessment and compliance. https://www.audiouk.org.uk/audiouk-covid-19-production-guidelines/
- “Keeping Workers and Customers Safe during COVID-19 – Guidelines for use by UK audio production companies”: https://www.audiouk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/AudioUK-COVID-19-Returning-to-Production-Guidance-Public-v1.6.pdf
- The Royal Television Society hosted its (virtual) careers fair 2-3 February. They say “Get all the latest tips, tricks and practical advice to help you land that all important first job in TV, learn about the different jobs and schemes out there and network with the most influential creatives in the business!” https://rts.org.uk/event/rts-virtual-careers-fair-2021
- Among other resources PACT have put together and are regularly updating COVID-19 indies briefing documents for people working in all the Nations: https://www.pact.co.uk/member-services/resourcelibrary.html?q=briefing+COVID-19
- You can access other resources from PACT such as letters people working on PSB productions in England can present to hostelries and accommodation-providers detailing their critical worker status under current government guidance etc. https://www.pact.co.uk/news-detail.html?id=pact-bfi-letter-for-overnight-stays-and-confirmation-of-critical-worker-status
- The Royal Shakespeare Company have also put together a page of Resources for Artists, Arts Organisations and Freelancers that includes information on making work safe for organisations, grants, funding and networking opportunities for freelancers and other people working in the arts. https://www.rsc.org.uk/support-for-artists/resources-for-artists-arts-organisations-and-freelancers
Our thanks to the Allchurches Trust, whose generous grant helped make our webinar and this research possible.
