The Years
Please scroll down for information on the complimentary support available.
Welcome to your company’s support page. If you are viewing this page, you are a member of the company, creative or production team for “The Years” and it’s 2025 run at The Harold Pinter Theatre, London.
Below you will find information on your production wellbeing practitioner, Victoria Abbott, as well as information , resources and booking details that will be relevant to those seeking support at any point throughout the production.
This support has been provided through Applause for Thought, a triple award winning community interest company that empowers individuals and organisations with the awareness, knowledge and tools surrounding mental health and make this information and support more accessible. Their aim is to facilitate as many opportunities as possible for people to be able to develop their own unique tools and coping mechanisms as they navigate our industry, as well as working on preventative and proactive blueprints with organisations that we hope will change both organisational and wider industry culture.
You have no obligation to engage with this support should you not feel that you need it.
Resources & Support
Please find below details and information about how to access resources and support that is industry specific. This isn’t an exhaustive list and should not replace talking to your GP or finding support for yourself if you feel particularly affected by anything whilst working within this production. This is something you can discuss with Victoria, should you feel comfortable. All links include resources available to or tailored specifically for anyone that is non-binary and/or identifies as LGBTIQ+.
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What is the role of a Mental Health First Aider?
When alerted that someone may be a risk of harm to themselves or others, to take appropriate steps to try and avoid or limit the risk of such harm
Provide help to prevent mental health issues from becoming more serious
Promote recovery of good mental health by signposting to professional resources, raising awareness and breaking stigma Provide comfort to a person with a mental health issue.
A MHFA can be utilised when a person is well, becoming unwell and at the early stages of being unwell. In the latter stages of being unwell and into recovery, this must be supported by a mental health professional.
Your company mental health first aiders are…
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The Applause for Thought support roster contains contact information for a variety of specialists including counsellors, psychotherapists and coaches who offer their services to those associated with AFT at a discounted rate. To become a member of AFT’s support roster, each individual has had to declare their professional status, insurance and proficiency in training, as well as their experience of working with those in the arts industry with a diverse range of identities and lived experiences.
We at AFT are unable to guarantee each specialist’s availability as they work independently. For all enquiries, please get in touch with the specialist directly. If you have any questions regarding our support roster, or would like to find out more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@applauseforthought.co.uk.
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Industry Minds
info@industryminds.co.uk
Instagram: @industrymindsuk
Twitter: @IndustryMindsUK
Wellbeing in the Arts
Stage Management Wellbeing
Twitter: @SmWellbeing
Instagram: @sm_wellbeing
Artist Wellbeing
Directors Charitable Foundation
Twitter: @DirectorsCF
Facebook: @directorscf
6ft From The Spotlight
Playing Sane
Actors’ Children’s Trust
Arts Minds
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Youngminds.org.uk
Kooth.com
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BAPAM – 020 7404 5888
Help Musicians – 0207 239 9101
Samaritans – 116 123
Switchboard (LGBT+) – 0300 330 0630
Shout (texting service) – 85258
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Resources & Support
Details on services and organisations that offer help and support for those working in the creative arts.
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Check Ins
Contact Victoria to arrange a wellbeing check in (dependent on availability).
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Mitigating Stress
Practical tools and information to support wellbeing and the impact of workplace stress.
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Crisis Care
Details on procedures for anyone in crisis or emergency with reference to their mental health.
Victoria Abbott - Production Wellbeing Practitioner and Integrative Psychotherapist
Victoria (she/her) has un undergraduate degree in Psychology, a masters in the Psychodynamics of Human Development, a PGDip in Integrative Psychotherapy and is currently studying for a Post Grad at Oxford University. She also has experience and training as a performer. She has her own thriving private practice where she specialises in burnout, life transition, trauma, bereavement and anxiety and is the Support Lead at Applause For Thought.
Victoria believes in helping all those working in the creative industries develop practices that exist in harmony alongside the demands and requirements of the the job. Empowering individuals to support themselves and organisations to provide a duty of care.
Victoria is a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), regularly takes her Production Wellbeing Practice to clinical/process supervision, and also engages in continual professional development through on-going certified training and learning practices. Victoria was nominated for an Industry Mind award in 2022 for her contribution to mental health in the arts.
The role of the Production Wellbeing Practitioner on productions 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.
Where we differ 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.
How do check-ins work?
Check-ins are not a therapeutic or HR space, but instead offer a chance for you to speak to someone 1:1 outside of your organisation about mental health and well-being
They are led by Victoria.
Check-ins will be 25 minutes long (in some cases they can be longer) and are facilitated in person or on zoom .
They are designed to be a non- judgemental space for people who might be looking for further sign- posting support in regards to mental health and well-being .
They are a space that can offer an impartial and empathic ear.
These sessions are confidential but the limits of this confidentiality will be explained to you by Victoria and are not designed to fix or solve but instead support and guide you and allow a safe space for conversation.
The day of the week and times will change each week to allow for varying schedules across all departments. Victoria normally updates the available slots for the week ahead on a Thursday evenings.
― Annie Ernaux, Les Années
To exist is to drink oneself without thirst.
To exist is to drink oneself without thirst.
Book a time to speak to Victoria
Below you will find all the available appointments in the next week to speak to Victoria either with a wellbeing check in or private therapy session. Where Victoria has limited availability she will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate you within her working hours or help you find alternative support.
Victoria is not working full time with this production and is contracted for a particular number of hours per week to offer complimentary support to company members. If there is demand above her contracted hours or if she feels someone is in need of more permanent ongoing support this can be discussed but might be outside of the complimentary support package. These conversations will be informal and transparent and as supportive and accommodating as reasonably possible.
These sessions can be held on zoom, in person (during rehearsals and the London run) or by telephone.
On top of offering sessions such as the below, she will also be visiting the rehearsal room and theatres as well as part of first run throughs and press night. All conversations with Victoria will be conducted within the client therapist ethical and confidentiality policy according to the BACP. If you have any questions about this policy you can read more about it on Victoria’s FAQ page. Nothing from your conversations will be passed on unless you specifically request it to be or she believes you may be a risk to yourself or others.
Please see the options below for current availability. If you don’t see a time that works for you, please email victoria@victoriaabbotttherapy and she will do her best to accommodate you.
“She has no name for that feeling of utter abandonment, nor the feeling that comes over her on fair days, when she stands in the courtyard from the photo, and the voice of the loudspeaker booms front behind the trees, and the music and commercials run together in an unintelligible blur. It is as if she were standing outside the fete, separated from some earlier thing.”
― Annie Ernaux, Les Années
Causes of workplace stress
It’s important to recognise that stress isn’t always “bad”; it can help to motivate and drive individuals forward to meet the challenges of their role. In fact, 56% of people in The Workplace Health Report (2022) said that they agree that the perfect amount of stress enables them to thrive, with only 1% saying they were overwhelmed with stress and were struggling to cope.
We know that in this industry, work load in all departments on all levels is high whether on stage, off stage or in the production office. We also know there is often a fine line and balance between creativity, finances and urgency. Arguable each “cause” or part of the pie chart attached is a lot more complex than in other more traditional working environments.
Couple that with short deadlines, pressure for perfection/excellence as well as traumatic themes like the ones described above and this might mean you will need to be more aware of workplace stress and more present in how you try to mitigate the impact of this.
Tip of the week….
I’ll be sharing a new resource each week in this section of your support page to explore and perhaps add to your toolkit of support techniques during your time on this contract. If you like a particular one, please get in touch via victoria@victoriaabbotttherapy.com and I can suggest more ways to engage with this type of tool…
Energise Your Creativity with Micro-Breaks
For performers and creatives, staying mentally fresh and creatively engaged is crucial. Research suggests that taking regular "micro-breaks"—short, frequent pauses lasting 5-10 minutes—can reduce stress and prevent burnout, while actually enhancing creativity and focus. A study in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (2020) found that micro-breaks can replenish mental resources, making it easier to adapt to dynamic, high-pressure environments like rehearsals or performances. Try incorporating small breaks into your routine: step outside, practise breathing exercises, or engage in a quick body scan to centre yourself. For those in the performing arts, these mini-recharges can help manage energy levels, improve emotional resilience, and ultimately bring renewed depth to your craft.
Practical tools to mitigate the impact of stress…
Get to know your stress signature
We can split the symptoms of stress into four areas: physical, cognitive, behavioural and emotional. Physical symptoms can include headaches, muscle tension, tiredness, chest pains and heart palpitations. While cognitive symptoms include low concentration, irritability, fatigue and impaired memory.
Stress affects our emotional state too with symptoms including emotional outbursts, low mood, sensitivity to criticism, low confidence, anxiety and anger. Once we know what to look for in ourselves and others it can be easier to start using strategies earlier and with greater effect. To learn more about the signs of stress click here.
Develop healthy responses to stress
Stress can often trigger unhealthy behaviours, like neglecting sleep, drinking alcohol excessively or bingeing on unhealthy foods.
Turn that on its head, by doing your best to make healthy choices when the pressure increases. Examples of these could include:
Exercising
Allowing enough time for a healthy amount of high-quality
sleep
Maintaining a nutritious diet – not only is this healthier, but research shows that nutritious foods have stress-relieving benefits
Utilise or create a support system
We all experience tough times at work, so we need to know who we can rely on when this happens.
Identify the support system you can lean on during this time, whether that be friends, family or even colleagues at work.
Many employers contribute to this system, by offering internal services, such as training managers in Mental Health First Aid and providing a PWP.
If you require external support, then you should contact your GP, or an external service, such as the Samaritans.
Reward yourself for a job well done
When work gets busy, it’s tempting to only focus on the next task, rather than rewarding yourself for the task you’ve just completed.
When you complete a task, especially if it’s a significant one, reward yourself for your achievements. This could be successfully completing a technical run through or even bringing focus, energy and productivity to your work day.
It doesn’t have to be anything special! It could be a walk round the block, a chat with co-workers, your favourite coffee, anything that you enjoy. Taking time to recharge and come back to neutral is key to maintaining wellbeing.
Re-evaluate negative thoughts
When you’ve experienced worry and chronic stress for an extended period of time, your mind may tend to jump to conclusions and read into every situation with a negative lens.
For example, if your colleague doesn’t say hi to you first thing in the morning, you might react thinking “they’re mad at me.”
Instead of making automatic judgements, try distancing yourself from your negative thoughts and simply observe. In time you might even be able to reframe negative thoughts into more positive ones.
Learn relaxation techniques that work for you
Purposefully slowing down and being conscious of your surroundings can keep you relaxed throughout the week. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness all work to calm your anxiety.
Start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on being present and enjoying a simple activity — whether that’s a short walk around the park or appreciating a meal and then make it a habit. Here are a few other ways to build mindfulness into your daily routine: Pause for a few moments before starting your workday and set your intention. Download a meditation app you can use when feeling excessive pressure at work or during your commute. Schedule in a 5-minute break to try breathing exercises. Look out for Victoria’s tip of the week as they will include opportunities to practice this…
What if I or someone I know is in crisis?
You or someone you are working with may require immediate help or support. If you/they are feeling suicidal, there are people you can talk to who want to help you find some breathing space:
Call Samaritans 24-hour support service on 08457 90 90 90.
Go to, or call, your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling.
Contact NHS 111.
Make an urgent appointment to see your GP
Want to know more about Applause for thought….
At AFT we appreciate individuals are indeed that…individual. This is why we aim to create safe, empowering and empathetic spaces for all within the arts, whether that be through; our links to 121 support, at one of our talks or workshops, during our accredited mental health training courses, or when we work with organisations.
View their website here