10 March 2026
Backstage with Backup
E12: Why MHFAider Training for Freelancers Is Important

Guest: Norman Beecher, a Learning and Development Specialist who works with Music Support, the organisation that provides the Mental Health First Aider training Backup funds for freelancers on the technical side of the music industry, and other organisations.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and a Backup Tech Trustee. She is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: Norman tells us about the training Music Support offers, and why it’s so important that as many people are trained as possible.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:

2:52 – Norman talks about his previous and current role at Music Support and with other organisations and what being a Mental Health First Aider helps equips people to do.
12:28 – Sarah asks Norman what made him decide to pursue this as his career and how his lived experiences help in the role.
20:05 – Norman and Sarah discuss the stigma, lack of knowledge and shame that used to surround mental health and addition, how far things have come in terms of awareness and attitudes, but that there is still work to be done.
25:25 – Norman emphasises how important the funding Backup gives for Mental Health First Aider training for freelancers on the technical side of the music industry.
27:00 – Sarah asks Norman what people can expect from Mental Health First Aider training, and how it helps both professionally and in peoples’ everyday lives.
38:30 – Sarah asks Norman if there is any feedback on how effective the course is from the industry at large.

For Info on Backup's AJ Bursary for MHFAider Training and to sign up via Music Support - Click Here

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Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

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11 February 2026
Backstage with Backup
E11: The comfort of knowing help is there if you need it

*WARNING This episode includes discussion of a serious road accident and its aftermath, including injuries. Some listeners may find this distressing. Listener discretion advised.

Guest: Luke is Founder of Bear Bright Studios, a commercial sales developer and rental and touring specialist. He is currently Designer Relationship Manager with performer tracking technology manufacturer, Follow-Me, and an Ambassador for Backup Tech.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and a Backup Tech Trustee. She is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: Luke tells us about his traumatic experience while on tour, the resulting stresses on his mental health, his more recent experience when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, the comfort of knowing Backup was there to help, even though he found he didn’t need to use it, and how that led to him becoming a Backup Ambassador.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:

2:01 – Luke tells us about the accident that happened while he was production manager on tour with Gary Numan, how it impacted him, and the support and advice he got from Music Support.
12:25 – Sarah asks Luke what led to him become an active part of supporting Backup. Luke talks about his brain tumour diagnosis and his surgery during the pandemic.
15:21 – Luke explains how and why he reached out to Backup before his surgery, why he decided not to take it, and why he’s now helping Backup.
16:40 – Luke and Sarah talk about the unique pressures of the music touring environment and how Backup helps.
20:28 – Sarah asks Luke what being a Backup Ambassador involves.
21:30 – Sarah asks Luke how he is now.

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/

2 December 2025
Backstage with Backup
E10: Help in a crisis

Guests: Sally and Rob Taylor, and Hannah Evans, the parents and sister of Adam Taylor, who was a sound engineer and DJ Adam Fabulous.

Host: Sarah James runs PR agency Gasoline Media and is proud to help spread the word about the great work Backup does, taking care of their Press & PR.

In this conversation: The Taylor family talk about Adam’s support of Backup and how the charity helped when he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer.

Episode key topics + chapter markers:

3:01 Rob and Sally tell us about Adam, his childhood, and what lead to him being an audio engineer and DJ.
9:28 Rob talks about Adam’s time at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, how the technical course he completed changed his life, and how he became DJ Adam Fabulous.
13:38 Sally shares Adam's career start from his first job as sound engineer on Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, to how he travelled the world on various shows from theatre to corporate events, but still somehow managed to fit being a DJ and father into the mix.
16:00 Rob and Sally tell us stories about Adam that most stick in their minds, from meeting The Prodigy to taking Rob to the 90th Anniversary of Abbey Road Studios, and making everyone’s day at a gig on Brighton beach.
21:38 Sarah asks about why Adam was so passionate about supporting Backup.
25:15 They discuss what it meant to have Backup provide financial support during such a difficult time.
30:42 Sarah asks if they’d had any experience of how easy the process of asking for help was.
34:09 Rob and Sally explain what they’re doing to raise money for Guildhall students in Adam’s memory.
40:49 Rob talks about technical entertainment industry family and how being part of it is a comforting support network. Hannah explains that Backup’s support was above and beyond what a charity normally does, the support given by St Christopher’s Hospice, and how the love Adam always gave out came flooding back to him.

Useful resources / links related to this episode:
Adam Fabulous Scholarship https://gsmd.ac.uk/in-memory-of-adam-taylor

Support the show

Backup Tech - The UK’s Registered Technical Entertainment Charity That Provides Financial & Wellbeing Support To Technical Industry Professionals.
“We help people get back on their feet”

How Backup Tech can help :
Are you or a family member seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support?
Are you struggling with Mental Health and need to speak to someone?
Is there someone you know who needs help with any of the above?
If so, visit our 'How We Help' page for details on our support, or call our 24hr Helpline 0800 464 7068

Did you find this episode useful?
Our many successes are only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Please help us by supporting us

• Website: https://www.backuptech.uk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupuk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backuptechuk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backup-tech-charity/