Victoria works with the non-profit mental health in the performing arts CIC Applause for thought where she is the support lead and provides a clinical perspective, guides signposting and prepares psychoeducational online content for their social channels. She is actively involved in many productions that AFT works with, either facilitating a group workshop or as a production wellbeing practitioner where she is attached to a particular show (often but not limited to those with challenging themes or content) for the duration of its rehearsals and run to offer continuity of care to the on stage and off stage departments. Victoria also trained at Drama Centre so has unique insight into the experience and psychology of being an actor.

As a PWP, Victoria attends rehearsals, run through’s and is available for check in’s throughout the development, preparation, tech and start of a run and often continues to provide 1-1 support after the show has opened or filming has begun.

The role of the Production Wellbeing Practitioner on is to support and advise the Heads of Department (HoD) and Producers on how best to meet their duty of care to the crew and cast as a neutral third party.

They are there to actively support the cast and crew with their own mental health, resilience and wellbeing as they work.

This includes but is not limited to:

Mental health risk assessments

Mental health at work policies

Mental health and wellbeing microsites/booking pages

Pre-production check-ins

Content warnings

Support resources

Audience messaging

1-1 mental health check ins

1-1 therapeutic support

Mental health and wellbeing group sessions

Where she differs from a lot of wellbeing facilitators in the industry, is that Victoria is also a registered psychotherapist so can offer one to one support within her private practice or group sessions to help creatives, crew and members of production process any emotional or mental health difficulties they may encounter when working in the development stages, in the rehearsal room or within the production.

This support can then create healthier and more resilient teams who will in turn be clearer in their artistic visions and more connected to themselves and their craft whether they be on stage or off stage.

If you would like to get in touch with Victoria to discuss supporting a production, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk