Stress Matters, a platform to support wellbeing in the events industry, has launched its Buddies Matter scheme which aims to reduce eventprof isolation.
Stress Matters is supported by the Event Marketing Association, to help support the 100,000 freelancers that are estimated to work across the events industry.
The free service is built on three pillars: insights, accountability and support and will work by matching ‘buddies’ with people who have similar experiences and responsibilities. This will ensure both individuals gain mutual support.
Although the buddies won’t be there to fix problems or offer therapy, they can still provide a sympathetic ear and motivational support.
Statistics from 2019 have found that:
- 28% of eventprofs have taken time off work due to a mental health issue.
- 88% of respondents believed talking about their worries would help.
Statistics from 2017 have found that:
- 63% of people who have at least one person at work that they can talk to are 40% less stressed.
Laura Capell-Abra, the founder, Stress Matters, said: “We hope to create Buddies across the industry and globe that can help each other. Events can be isolating when you’re away from home and often family members and friends don’t fully understand the pressure. No one should feel lonely in an industry built on bringing people together.”
James Hitchen, Event Marketing Association, said: “We are really pleased to be supporting this initiative. Whilst our membership are in-house event planners, we can see how when teams put wellbeing more centrally, the positive impact it can have; independent workers don’t have that infrastructure to rely on and so the Buddies Matter scheme will give them access to that support in a different form.”
