Stronger Together: PRS for Music and Help Musicians unite to extend songwriters and composers unparalleled mentorship programme

 

PRS for Music today announces a new partnership with Help Musicians to provide its members with unique access to Co-Pilot: the Musicians’ Mentoring Network. Together, the new offering provides an invaluable opportunity to engage with seasoned industry mentors, gaining invaluable insights and guidance to advance their careers.

 

The program provides dedicated one-on-one mentorship sessions, providing participants with tailored support and expertise across various facets of the music industry. This strategic partnership underscores the enduring value of mentorship as a cornerstone in the professional development journey of music creators, providing them with essential guidance and resources to excel amidst the demands of the industry.

 

Launched in 2021, Co-Pilot has attracted a stellar lineup of mentors, including Global Brand Partnerships Manager at Universal Music Group, Emma Aucouturier, award-winning composer Justine Barker, singer, rapper, and producer Benny Bizzie, Chief Executive at English Folk Expo, Tom Besford and Simon Rix of indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs.

 

Michelle Escoffery, President of the PRS Members’ Council, PRS for Music, said: “We strongly believe in the power of mentoring, peer to peer learning, and paying it forward at PRS for Music. We are excited to collaborate with Help Musicians to give songwriters and composers access to positive role models, guidance from experienced professionals, and powerful tools to uncover skills, build confidence and drive forward aspirations for career success.”

 

Sarah Woods, Chief Executive, Help Musicians, said: “A career in music is not always linear, with challenges and opportunities arising at different times. Advice or guidance from others working in music can make a real difference; with over 70% of musicians being self-employed the opportunity to connect with a peer is hugely valued. With the 2023 Musicians’ Census highlighting that access to industry networks is a barrier to career development, we believe that support to help overcome challenges to build a sustainable career is a cornerstone to enabling musicians to thrive. We can do more for those in music by working in partnership and therefore we’re delighted to be collaborating with PRS on Co-Pilot; the Musicians’ Mentoring Network to ensure songwriters and composers are aware and can access this important stream of career guidance.”

 

Navigating the creative, logistical, financial and emotional pressures that come with being a music creator can make sustaining a career in the industry incredibly challenging and mentoring has long been an important tool in supporting music creators.

 

Since 2018, PRS Members’ Fund has partnered with Help Musicians’ sister charity, Music Minds Matter, to offer PRS members access to vital mental health support services including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.

 

Celebrating its 90th year, PRS Members’ Fund provides a range of support and advice to PRS songwriters, composers, musicians, and their families, who are struggling financially, physically or emotionally.

 

Part of the valuable work PRS Members’ Fund carries out include a fund for those facing financial hardship at this time of the year due to the increase in the cost of living through its Winter Crisis Scheme. It is also a gateway to assistance in the form of its close partnerships with Shelter, StepChange, British Association for Performing Arts Medicine and the Cyril Wood Memorial Trust, organisations which specialise in housing or homelessness support; finance management; illness, disability, accident or work-related health issues; and affordable rented housing, respectively.

 

Through these initiatives, PRS for Music reaffirms its dedication to supporting the holistic needs of its members, ensuring that they have the resources and support necessary to thrive in their creative endeavours.

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