A new online health training platform designed specifically for people working and studying in the performing arts has launched, funded by PPL Giving.
Created by the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), StageFit is a first-of-its-kind training resource providing free, evidence-based health education for people across the performing arts. The platform was launched by BAPAM Executive Medical Director Dr Finola Ryan at PPL’s Annual Performer Meeting on 4 November.
Designed to provide essential ‘day-one’ health training, StageFit gives people working in the performing arts the foundational knowledge they need to understand and protect their health while creating, working and performing.
According to BAPAM, 75% of performing arts professionals will experience an injury or illness that impacts their ability to work or study. While poor health affects workers across many sectors, the performing arts have previously lacked foundational training addressing the particular health needs associated with this type of work.
StageFit aims to address that gap through accessible, preventative training rooted in BAPAM’s expertise in performing arts medicine and occupational health. The training is evidence-based and clinically reviewed by BAPAM experts.
Claire Cordeaux, CEO, BAPAM, said:
“StageFit is a vital training tool which gives everyone in the performing arts sector the knowledge to recognise health risks and take practical action to address them. The modules explain the common health risks of working in the performing arts, how to reduce them and what to do when a health problem occurs. We are so grateful to our clinical experts who have developed the content, our technology partner Review:Creative, and to PPL for providing the funding.”
The platform focuses on four areas known to be affected by a career in the performing arts: hearing health, vocal health, mental health and musculoskeletal health. Each area has its own module, allowing users to complete the training individually and receive a certificate upon completion.
Importantly, the training is completely free for individuals and available across the UK, making specialist health education accessible regardless of where someone lives or works.
StageFit has been developed for the breadth of the performing arts sector, from musicians, dancers and actors to managers, educators and backstage professionals. It is intended to help people understand not only how to look after their own health, but also how working practices and environments can affect the health of others.
PPL Giving has funded the development of StageFit as part of its support for performers, helping BAPAM make preventative health training freely available to people working and studying in the performing arts.
Through its annual PPL Giving programme, PPL supports the education, talent development, employment and welfare of performers in the UK, helping to build a sustainable music industry for future generations.
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO, PPL, said:
“BAPAM brings unique clinical expertise to the UK’s creative industries, helping to ensure that health initiatives are safe, effective and accessible. PPL is proud to have supported the development of StageFit, a first-of-its-kind resource giving people across the performing arts free access to practical, evidence-based information to help protect their health and wellbeing throughout their careers.”
Alongside the free individual training, BAPAM also offers StageFit for Organisations, which enables organisations to centrally manage training and certification for their workforce or students.
StageFit is available now and free to access for individuals in the performing arts.
