Sarah Mellor for Women’s History Month: “Everyone Should Feel Valued and Appreciated in Their Place of Work”

I am “Ms sunny Sarah” and I have been a professional singer since 2003. I have been a member of the Musicians’ Union for a number of years.

I perform at open mic events and various venues around the country and felt that joining a union would help me to get my voice heard and be a voice for other musicians who may be experiencing difficulties, while knowing there is support available if I should need it.

Barriers to building a career in the music industry

Barriers I have experienced include agents and others saying to me that I can’t play gigs because I can’t drive or use a public address system. Both of these things are not true. We use taxis, trains and other public transport and my husband, who is also blind, is perfectly capable of using our public address system.

I have had experiences, as perhaps others may have also experienced, where I tell people I am a professional singer and they ask me to join their choir or attend their karaoke events.

I have also performed at venues where most of my fee has gone on taxis and I have not had enough to live on. It is important to me that everyone gets fair pay and comfortable working conditions.

I have also performed at venues where I have not been treated very fairly, for instance not even being offered a drink on a very hot day.

Everyone should feel valued and appreciated in their place of work

Many celebrities and people high up in the industry are living in great wealth, while many of us are struggling to make ends meet. If this was not the case, there would not be so many cuts in the arts and there would be more job opportunities.

I believe that there should be more than enough work for everyone and there should be no cliques, no greed and no selfishness. We should all support and help each other, and not just take what we can get.

Equality is something I am very passionate about because each person is unique and has their own talent that should be encouraged. I decided to stand for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and was elected almost a year ago and felt very honoured.

We are living in a world where there is still a lot of discrimination and I felt it was important to make a difference and that everyone should feel valued and appreciated in their place of work.

What an accessible music industry looks like to me

The Union has made a big difference to my life as it is important for me to know that I am not alone and that I can contact them if I face any difficulties. They have given me good advice and guidance in these situations.

What an accessible music industry looks like to me is that everyone is treated equally and fairly and is appreciated, recognised and valued for their contributions to entertainment.

Regardless of disability, gender, race, religion or sexuality, we all have abilities, and we all have gifts. We all should be entitled to live with financial security and have equal pay.

Being part of a union means I am not alone

Being part of a union means I am not alone. This is why I would encourage anyone to join a union. Even now there is still discrimination against women in the workplace and it is important that women are treated equally.

We are just as capable and able as men, and this should be recognised. As a union, we can stand together as one body, stand up for what is right and help to produce a more peaceful society.