We are pleased to announce the launch of our latest health and safety survey today!
As the 6th anniversary of Mark’s death approaches and the industry prepares itself for a full return to work after the strikes, our goal is to ensure that all crew are returning to a safe work environment and that employers are committed to improving on-set safety.
We have joined forces with Bectu to conduct an all important new survey regarding the safety of all cast and crew working in the UK film and TV industry. The survey, entitled “A Few Minutes for Mark,” is of great significance, as its findings will help us evaluate whether conditions have improved since our last survey, thereby helping to inform our future advocacy efforts.
We invite all on-set crew who work within the UK film and TV industry to dedicate a few minutes in honour of Mark and share their insights on the safety measures in place on productions that they have worked on.
Please share the link to the survey with all of your colleagues in the film and TV industry. bit.ly/fewminsformark
This survey is being launched on Friday 27th October and closes at 9am on Monday 13th November, 2023 and the survey results are being published ahead of Mark’s 6th anniversary on 18th November.
We sincerely appreciate all of your support and interest in the Foundation’s work.
Archives for October 2023
Mark’s Gift 2023
Every year the Foundation gifts £2000 to someone we believe Mark would have wanted to support. This plays an important part in our commitment to help young people break into the industry.
We are pleased to announce that Zara Trott has been selected as the recipient of Mark’s Gift 2023.
Zara, a recent film school graduate from the University of Westminster, is embarking on her first filmmaking project as a producer since completing her degree. Collaborating with fellow University of Westminster graduates and friends, she is working on a short film, entitled ‘Salt Line’.
The film is an interrogation into matters of the heart and the lengths we go to for love and acceptance. This story creates a haunting portrayal of two individuals navigating the complexities of their relationship against the backdrop of a world turned against faith. We follow Connolly who tries to reconcile his feelings for Tim but loses himself in the process. Set in a fictional seaside English town during the 60s, Salt Line explores themes of morality, sexuality, and faith.
Mark’s Gift will enable Zara and her crew to bring this moving film to life and help all involved achieve their filmmaking aspirations.
Zara Trott says: “Mark Gift will help fund the first short film I am producing outside of academia. ‘Salt Line’ is not only special to me because of the nature of the script, a film about the challenges of faith and love, but also because it’s a film being made by young creatives who are kickstarting their professional careers. Thanks to Mark Gift’s we are all able to be creative and make something we really care about.”
Mark Milsome Foundation Joins HSE’s Working Minds Campaign on World Mental Health Day
On this World Mental Health Day, the Mark Milsome Foundation is excited to announce its partnership with the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Working Minds campaign. In a collective effort to combat work-related stress and prioritise mental health, the Foundation are now joining other Working Minds partners across different industries to raise awareness of the support available and the campaign’s key messages.
In an industry known for its fast-paced, often unpredictable nature, the film & TV industry faces unique challenges. Freelancers, self-employed individuals, and those on fixed-term contracts frequently deal with uncertainty, irregular and long working hours, and work-related stress, potentially leading to safety issues. A recent survey by the Film and TV Charity, titled the Looking Glass ’22, revealed that only 11% of participants considered the industry a mentally healthy place to work.
The Working Minds campaign emphasises the critical need for employers to address work-related stress and mental health. Regardless of a company’s size or nature, it is legally obligated to assess and mitigate stress-related risks and support employees’ mental well-being.
This collaboration between the Mark Milsome Foundation, HSE, and other partners underlines the growing recognition of the importance of mental health in the workplace. By joining the Working Minds campaign, these organisations are taking concrete steps to create safer and more supportive environments. World Mental Health Day serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need to address work-related stress and prioritise the well-being of all workers in the UK.
Samantha Wainstein, our Chair, says: “At the heart of our mission is the commitment to make film and TV sets safe for all cast and crew, by advocating for better health and safety practice across the industry and collaborating with partners to raise awareness about key issues that need to be addressed. A fundamental part of our advocacy is emphasising the importance of wellbeing and happiness on set, as this plays an integral role in ensuring the safety of both cast and crew.”
The Foundation’s Level 2 Production Safety Passport Course (Screenskills) has a dedicated chapter on Mental Health and Well-being, further highlighting our commitment to promoting mental health awareness and support in the industry.
Please click here to view HSE’s press release about the campaign.
Please click here to view HSE’s press release about the campaign.