Finding your community in the film and TV industry
We all need social connections to thrive (especially in film and TV), so why do we find it so hard to talk about feeling lonely? This Loneliness Awareness Week, we wanted to have an honest and open conversation about a subject that’s surrounded in stigma but experienced by many people working in the industry.
When we think of loneliness, we tend to picture an older person, living on their own, isolated from others. It’s hard to accept that it can be a common experience for younger people, and even harder to imagine that anyone working in an exciting, collaborative creative environment might feel lonely. But our research suggests film and TV industry workers are lonelier than the rest of the UK adult population[1] and that it can impact negatively on wellbeing. In fact, our Mind-Craft Report showed that loneliness was by far the single biggest factor influencing the mental health of film and TV workers, outweighing the next five most important factors combined.
Connecting with others
It can be hard to build meaningful connections with colleagues, especially if you only work together for a short time and then go your separate ways when the job ends. People who are unemployed, freelance, returning to work or from marginalised communities can find it especially tough. Perhaps that’s why over 50% of film and TV workers have told us they would like greater peer support at work.[2]
Peer support and community networks
The good news is support is out there. There are lots of peer support groups and community networks for film and TV professionals. Many are run by volunteers, are free of charge, and aim to connect lonely and isolated industry workers who rarely interact with people who are ‘like them’ in their working environments. They offer vital support to freelancers, give much-needed career advice, increase confidence and reduce loneliness.
Connecting with like-minded people who just ‘get it’ can help to build a sense of community and belonging. So why not take a moment this Loneliness Awareness Week to join a community network, say a quick hello to a new contact or send a message of support to someone who might need it.
Industry communities and peer support
Organisations and groups that can help you build vital connections and supportive relationships
References
- Responses to the three-question version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale in the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass 2019 research suggest film and TV respondents are lonelier than the rest of the UK adult population (when comparing responses to the ONS for all UK Adults.) ‘Exploring the Loneliness Findings in the Looking Glass and Mind-Craft’ (The Film and TV Charity unpublished internal paper, November 2022).
- Looking Glass 2022 findings show over 50% of industry workers surveyed felt support from peers at work or in the industry would help them manage their wellbeing at work.