Music Support launches Recovery Specialist training program in the UK

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing support to the music industry around the issues of addiction and mental health, Music Support is launching a specialist training program in the UK in conjunction with The International Recovery Institute (IRI) to help people qualify as Recovery Specialists.

Music Support is inviting music companies with staff who want to partake in the training to take advantage of a discounted bursary scheme.

The course, which takes place between May 10th-13th in London, will consist of three days intensive IRI training with a fourth day addressing issues unique to the music industry.

Any music companies demonstrating their support will be officially recognised by Music Support as “Investors in Prevention and Recovery” and will be permitted to use that accreditation as part of their internal and external marketing and communication materials.

Harold Owens, Senior Director of the acclaimed MusiCares addiction services organisation in the US – who recently ran a series of workshops for UK music industry professionals in London – has written 25% of this training program.

The IRI currently has over 150 graduates of this program in the USA alone.


A Recovery Specialist is assigned to vulnerable individuals and able to provide support and guidance with relation to their addiction or mental health issue.

Common roles of the Recovery Specialist may include: Sober Coach, Sober Companion, Personal Recovery Assistant, Transport (Safe Passage) and Family Support Specialist among others.

On completion of the full four-day course and a number of after-course requirements, newly-qualified Recovery Specialists will be recognised by MusiCares and Music Support and able to offer their services on a formal basis.

In order to make the training as accessible to as many people as possible Music Support are offering places on this course at a significantly reduced rate, and are inviting UK based music companies to back the initiative by providing bursaries for their staff or for people who cannot otherwise afford to participate.

Music companies can use their two-person bursary to send members of their own staff on the course or can work closely with Music Support to provide places for two individuals in their name who may not have the funds to take part.

To further encourage UK music companies to participate Music Support are offering a 25% discount if two bursaries are taken.

The individual cost of a place on the training course is £1095.00 per person.

A two-person bursary supported by a music company, however, is discounted to £821.00 per person.

A limited amount of these discounted bursaries will be available and are offered to music companies on a first-come-first-served basis.

Samantha Parker, Founding Trustee of Music Support said, “We are certain the UK music industry will continue backing this ongoing initiative, which began at our recent “Let’s Push Things Forward” workshop.

“It is imperative that we start to think about putting in place proper training delivered by professionals in order to provide consistent qualified support to artists and music industry professionals in need.

“Recovery Specialists can play a crucial role in helping people reach their recovery goals and are often key to someone’s continued wellbeing. We feel that this cutting-edge course, which already has over 150 successful graduates, is another step forward, proving that our industry is taking these issues seriously and doing something about it.”

Music companies who would like to discuss taking one of more of the two-person bursaries should contact Nicola Smith at Music Support on nicola@musicsupport.org


As a proud supporter of Music Support, Music Business Worldwide is sponsoring two bursaries on this unique course and the application process is open to all of our subscribers.

Please note that Music Business Worldwide will cover all course fees but successful applicants will be responsible for travel, accommodation and any other costs associated with attending.

To make an application for a Music Business Worldwide bursary please click on this link.

Music Support will be wholly responsible for processing and considering all applications and will make the final decision on the award of the bursaries.

Only successful applicants will be notified.

Music Business Worldwide

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