Supporting Wellbeing Beyond Awareness
In 2022, mental health was the 5th most common reason for sickness absence in the UK, with poor mental health being the leading cause of work-limiting conditions among those aged 44 and under. That’s why it was really important for us to renew our partnership with Music Support – a UK-based charity that provides support to those within the music industry who are struggling with mental health or addiction issues. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing across the music industry. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, held from 11-17 May, focused on taking action rather than simply raising awareness. At Neg Earth, we care deeply about our community, and throughout the week we organised a combination of creative and physical activities designed to encourage staff to slow down, take a break, and engage in wellness and self-care during the working day.
Slowing Down Through Mindful Calligraphy
We kickstarted the week with a mindful calligraphy session, led by Laura Edralin, a London-based calligraphy artist and teacher. Laura showed us how mindfulness can be embodied through the art of calligraphy, encouraging us to remember our posture, and the angle of our pens and paper – or as she called them, “the 3 P’s”. The session encouraged patience and concentration, allowing each participant to carefully piece together the elements of calligraphy to create their own masterpiece. Laura compared calligraphy to “using a bunch of Lego pieces to build a sculpture”, reminding us that the beauty often comes from slowing down and focusing on the details.
Relaxation and Recovery with Workplace Massages
Our focus on wellness continued with the return of professional massage therapist, Giorgiana Marc. Massage sessions have become a much-loved annual tradition at Neg Earth. Many members of staff engage in manual labour or undertake physically demanding tasks that place repeated strain on muscles and joints, so it was important for us to provide an activity that encouraged both physical relaxation and mental reset. Staff were able to pre-book 15-minute massage appointments, giving everyone dedicated time to properly relax and unwind throughout the day. Giorgiana is also a professional canine masseuse, so as usual, we had to get our furry friends involved – Buluu said his massage was “impawsibly good.” After all, mental health affects all of us.
Giving Back Through Our Charity Plant Sale
Continuing the green streak from our World Earth Day celebrations last month, we also hosted our annual Charity Plant Sale, organised by our very own Matthew Alston. Staff could choose from a range of home-grown produce, including cucumbers, chilli and squash plants. With mental health challenges continuing to affect many people within the live music industry, all proceeds from the sale were donated to Music Support – a charity dedicated to supporting those affected. Any remaining plants were donated to a local allotment, helping us to continue to invest in and support our wider community.
Strengthening Mind and Body with Pilates
To round off the week, we held a Pilates class led by Liene Cole. The session focused on strengthening and restoring the body through low-impact movement, helping to relieve stress and improve posture. It also brought out a healthy sense of competition, particularly when it came to seeing who could hold a wall sit the longest.
Building a Culture of Care and Connection
At Neg Earth, Mental Health Awareness Week is about more than simply acknowledging the conversation around mental health. It is an opportunity to actively support our community and reinforce the importance of caring for ourselves and others. Whether through creativity, movement, conversation, or simply taking a moment to pause, we remain committed to building a workplace culture where people feel supported and valued.
Mental health and wellbeing matter. If you or anyone you know within the music industry needs support, visit www.musicsupport.org for confidential help and guidance.
