Professional relationships
The SoA offers opportunities throughout the year to help authors meet and stay in touch with each other. These include professional and local groups, and of course, our annual programme of events.
Universal Music UK launched this Creative Differences handbook in January 2020, which provides a roadmap for accommodating neurodiversity in workspaces. It acknowledges the high prevalence of dyslexia, ADHD, autism and dyspraxia in the creative industries. A useful summary of best practice, and it’s a great manual for people wanting to learn more about making neurodiversity work.
- Read more at umusic.co.uk
ACAS provides free and impartial advice to employees and employers on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.
- Read more at www.acas.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation has compiled research and booklets about work-life balance, and strategies to help you improve it.
- Read more at mentalhealth.org.uk
Personal relationships
Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship support, and every year they help over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships.
- Read more at relate.org.uk
Domestic violence
Refuge supports women and children facing domestic violence, and aims to empower them to rebuild their lives, free from violence and fear.
Call Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Visit the helpline website to access further information, a contact form and the live chat service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.
- Read more at refuge.org.uk | 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
ManKind runs a confidential helpline for men across the UK suffering from domestic violence or domestic abuse by their current or former wife or partner, including a same-sex partner.
- Read more at mankind.org.uk | 01823 334244 (weekdays 10am-4pm)
For further information, advice and support visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help or www.nhs.uk
Bullying
The National Bullying Helpline supports adults and children who are being bullied at work, at home, in the community or in education. It is open from 9-5pm Monday to Saturday – 0845 22 55 787 or 07734 701221. The helpline is staffed entirely by volunteers so please be patient if you need to call several times before you get through.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying. Its members are educational charities, local authorities and arts organisations. They research and raise awareness of bullying, and coordinate the annual Anti-Bullying Week.
- Read more at anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
Protect aims to make whistleblowing work for individuals, organisations and society.
- Read more at protect-advice.org.uk
Loneliness
Mental health charity Mind has compiled resources to help you cope with the vicious circle of loneliness and the impact it can have on your mental health (and vice versa).
- Read more at mind.org.uk
The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Read more at thesilverline.org.uk | 0800 4 70 80 90 (24-hour helpline)
Find a counsellor
If you are considering talking therapy for yourself or for others, there are several ways you can find a counsellor or psychotherapist. You may be able to get free services through the NHS, from where you work or study, or through charities and voluntary services. With these services you may have little choice of therapist or type of therapy, and there may be a long waiting list for your first appointment. Or you can see a private practitioner. Using this option you will have a wider choice and be able to see someone quickly, but you will have to pay for their services. Find out more via the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK.
- Read more at bacp.co.uk
