The MU is proud to support the work of BAPAM as it arrives at this significant birthday. Image credit: Shutterstock.
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is 40 this year. Led by expert clinicians, BAPAM exists to help anyone working in or studying the performing arts to prevent and overcome practice-related physical and mental health problems. It offers free clinics, resources and training to performing artists, creators and backstage workers.
If you make a proportion of your living from the performing arts, or if you study a performing arts discipline, BAPAM can help you. Its clinicians know what it takes to develop and sustain a creative career, and they are experts at helping solve health problems experienced by professional performers.
BAPAM offers free assessment and advice on physical injuries and pain, voice problems, hearing health and work-related mental health concerns. Its medical advice is accessible anywhere in the UK online or by telephone. Face-to-face clinical consultations are available in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Gateshead, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Manchester.
Additionally, BAPAM’s website includes a large archive of guidance and factsheets, covering a wide range of mental and physical health topics for performers.
BAPAM in the press
BAPAM has been widely featured in the press to mark its 40th anniversary.
An article in the Times discussed the rise in physical and mental health conditions experienced by musicians since the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how orchestral musicians treated by BAPAM were supported to recover and resume their work.
An article in Music Week reported on an 86% increase in demand for BAPAM’s services between 2019 and 2023, detailing some of the most commonly experienced issues.
The Stage featured a story on a threefold increase in mental health enquiries received by BAPAM since the pandemic, and how BAPAM is working with more clinicians than ever to meet this rise in demand. Arts Professional and Complete Music Update featured similar stories.
Finally, BBC Music Magazine also featured the rise in demand for BAPAM’s services. Additionally, it highlighted the upcoming Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium in London this July, at which BAPAM will play a leading role.
Unique in the world
Chris Walters, MU National Organiser for Education and Health & Wellbeing said:
“The MU is proud to support the work of BAPAM as it arrives at this significant birthday. BAPAM is unique in the world, and we are fortunate in the UK to have such an expert organisation to care for our performing artists, whose working lives can be extremely demanding.
“The MU is on a mission to raise awareness of BAPAM among our membership and more widely in the performing arts industry.”
Contact BAPAM
You can call BAPAM on 020 8167 4775 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday to book an appointment. Alternatively, email info@bapam.org.uk or complete the enquiries form on the BAPAM website.