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Neg Earth Lights is proud to announce the renewal of its valued partnership with Music Support for a further two years, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing across the music industry.

Music Support is a specialist charity providing help and resources to anyone working in the UK music industry experiencing mental health, addiction or substance use challenges.

Neg Earth Lights, the leading independent lighting and rigging supplier, has supported the work of the charity for over five years and has now confirmed its commitment through to 2028. Building on a strong foundation, the renewal will deepen collaboration between the two organisations and see them working more closely to deliver initiatives aimed at ensuring mental health is a core priority across live production environments. Neg Earth Lights contributes regular donations to the charity, including a generous sum to its 10^th anniversary fundraising campaign.

As Music Support celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the charity has reported a sharp rise in demand for its services, currently seeing a 71% increase in calls from individuals across all areas of the industry. Of these, over half are assessed as being in crisis.

Mental health awareness and advocacy are deeply embedded in Neg Earth Lights’ DNA. Founded by individuals who began their careers as road crew on tour, the company has first-hand experience of the realities and pressures of life in the music industry. Today, every member of staff is trained in Mental Health First Aid, ensuring colleagues are equipped to support one another and fostering a culture where wellbeing is actively prioritised.

Pip Ridgway, Managing Director of Neg Earth Lights, said: “Our people are the reason our events succeed. That’s why supporting mental health is so important to us. Live events can be intense – the demands of complex logistics and constant deadlines mean long hours and significant pressure to deliver, because there is no plan B. There are passion and creativity in abundance, but if we want our people to enjoy long, sustainable careers in this industry, we must actively support their wellbeing, not just talk about it. Every member of our staff is trained in Mental Health Awareness and attends a self-care session in addition to those who receive additional training to become Mental Health First Aiders.”

Joe Hastings, CEO of Music Support said: “Neg Earth Lights’ dedication to prioritising their team’s wellbeing sets a strong example for the wider industry. Careers in live events can be incredibly fulfilling, but they often come with high levels of pressure, making meaningful support essential. By embedding mental health awareness and providing practical resources, Neg Earth Lights is helping shape a healthier and more sustainable working environment. We’re proud to continue our partnership with them.

At Music Support, we’re here for anyone experiencing mental health, addiction or wellbeing challenges, as well as those around them. Whether through early intervention or urgent care, our focus is on accessible, compassionate support. As Music Support enters its second decade, partnerships like this play a vital role in building a stronger, more supportive industry and ensure that critical services remain available to those who need them most.”

Different Minds, Better Ideas

Did you know that neurodiverse teams are proven to drive more innovation, adaptability and growth within a company? As a business that values trailblazing, this is something we actively strive to champion. We invited neurodiversity consultant Maisie Cass, to speak with us about designing work to fit people, not people to fit work. She also shared ways to reduce stigma and challenge common misconceptions around neurodiversity.

Building a more Inclusive Events Industry

Around 1 in 7 people in the UK are estimated to be neurodivergent; with the live events industry thought to have one of the highest proportions. However, many neurodiverse people may feel uncomfortable disclosing their condition to their employers due to fears of stigma, as behaviours are often labelled rather than understood. At Neg Earth, we place a strong value on community. As our Managing Director Pip Ridgway, emphasised, “We have a responsibility not just to recognise neurodiversity, but to truly understand it… Neurodiverse talent will reshape the future of our workforce, driving innovation, creativity, and resilience in ways we are only beginning to appreciate. The more we learn, the stronger, more inclusive, and more successful our organisation & community will become.”

From Awareness to Action: Supporting Neurodivergent Talent

During our session, we explored how to foster a more inclusive and supportive work culture – one built on compassion, curiosity and a genuine willingness to learn.

Many typical workplace practices – such as unspoken rules and complex office dynamics – can unintentionally create challenges for neurodivergent people. These environments can often lead to ‘masking’, where people feel the need to adapt their behaviour, which can result in burnout. Even individuals with the same condition may present it in very different ways. This means there is no singular approach to creating optimal working conditions.

The Future of work is inclusive

With over 40% of the workforce predicted to be neurodivergent by 2040, this session reinforced the importance of moving beyond assumptions and taking the time to understand individual needs – rather than expecting people to adapt to rigid ways of working. As Neg Earth places much emphasis on our community, we see this as an opportunity to actively shape a more inclusive and supportive workplace. By embedding the lessons shared by Maisie, we aim to create an environment where neurodiverse individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered within the workplace.

This means;

• fostering open conversations
• setting clear expectations
• approaching differences with curiosity rather than judgement.

Thank you again to Maisie for delivering this insightful workshop, and to all who attended.

Neurodiversity Training & Consultancy for Business and Education

An initiative aimed at investing in the next generation of creative professionals in the live events industry. 

Neg Earth hosted an immersive experience day for students at their facilities in London. 

The event attended by twenty 2^nd year students eager to explore the behind-the-scenes world of live events. The group travelled from Nottingham School of Art & Design a longstanding education partner. 

Participants were treated to hands-on demonstrations in lighting fixtures, rigging techniques, and technical trouble shooting. The day kicked off with an introduction of shared insights into the industry, emphasizing the importance of innovation, sustainability, teamwork, and safety in event production. 

Rachel Condon, Learning & Development Business Partner quotes. “Today’s experience day is not just about showing students how we work; it’s about igniting their passion for the industry, We believe in investing in the future, and we’re happy to provide a platform for young minds to learn and grow.” 

Students were divided into groups and rotated through various stations, where they had the opportunity to operate professional lighting equipment, learn about rigging & motors, and understand some common trouble shooting practices.   

Rob Baldock Senior Lecturer,  “Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for yesterday. It was such a great experience and will be something the students remember for a long time. For all of you to give your time and energy to make such an engaging and educational event is really appreciated. If we can continue to make this an annual event, we would love to keep this going. 

A big thank you to all at Neg who supported this day, as the students were able to explore and extend their technology knowledge and develop problem solving skills in a lighting rig environment. 

As part of our commitment to community engagement, Neg Earth Lights aims to host more events like this in the future, providing students with further opportunities to explore careers in the live event industry.