the creative well
Ambassadors
We are proud to have industry ambassadors who recognise the importance of wellbeing and who support both our vision and mission from their personal and professional experiences. They are committed to raising awareness of mental health problems and promoting the help available at The Creative Well.
China Crisis
“The music industry has historically operated without any real support system in place and over the years we have had first hand experience of the need for such a mechanism. It can be a rewarding and fulfilling industry but like most creative arts can also be extremely demanding.
We are happy that the necessity for help has eventually been realised and is now firmly in place at The Creative Well. Like Nadine and her team we recognise how important it is to care about the mental health of everyone working throughout the music industry and are privileged and delighted to be ambassadors of this welcome organisation.”
Clark Datchler
“I have known Nadine for some time now, and can honestly say that she brings an utterly unique combination of professional skills and personal qualities to her work. From the depths of her knowledge and training in medicine, to her enormous capacity for compassion for the vulnerable, I cannot speak highly enough of her. And now, through her new venture The Creative Well, she offers a much-needed service to people who work in the arts.
Speaking as a musician, I know how essential it is for a person’s mental health to be protected and strengthened in the face of innumerable pressures. Whether you are starting out in the music industry and facing the intensity of the struggle for recognition, or you are a more seasoned musician trying to survive in a business steeped in ageism, I think you will find Nadine to be a great friend, guide and healer.”
Jennie Bellestar Matthias
“I am proud to be an ambassador of The Creative Well and to support Nadine’s vision. I think that if you are a person that has personal experience with drug or alcohol abuse and are fortunate enough to have come out the other side of this, then the natural progression is to share those experiences with others who may be struggling to cope with their addictions.
If my experience can assist another with a view to them coming to terms with their addition and moving on from that experience to start enjoying life again, then the knowledge gained from those times was all worth it. I feel we all have a duty to help each other on this plane and our experiences can make or break us, I spend much of my time showing people how they can turn those experiences into pure gold.”
Tim Arnold
“My music career was shaped at a young age without much nurture or adulting from the industry around me, and that impacted on my mental health. I’m a survivor, so I managed to navigate my way through successfully. But I see how valuable support from an organisation like The Creative Well could have been in those days, and that’s why it’s vital they are here now. I’m proud to be an ambassador for The Creative Well and to facilitate their work to improve the music industry’s care for music creators.”
Tom Moth
“Being able to perform music professionally is an absolute joy, but maintaining a healthy balance both physically and mentally can be a challenge, particularly in the unusual circumstances we often find ourselves in. To have Nadine who can offer assistance and support in this area means a lot.”
Novul
“Mental health is essential to me. I feel it is important to use my voice and platform to inspire others and encourage people to find healing through the light of love, kindness, and creativity. I am honoured and excited to be an ambassador for The Creative Well; Nadine’s reputation, recognition, and hyper-awareness of mental health and addiction illnesses that can affect musicians is world-changing. I hope this helps others as much as it has helped me. I’m looking forward to assisting The Creative Well in continuing to educate, as well as encourage the power of talking, healing and self care for good mental health.”
Parker Matthews
Singer/Songwriter, USA
“Advocating for mental health is something that has always been very important to me. I’ve been through some very dark times, but was able to find the light through the darkness. I am so moved by the efforts of Nadine at The Creative Well, and know that our alliance can spread help and love to the people in need. I am so excited in this new endeavour as an ambassador, and look forward to sharing my story with you all.”
Anna Ross
Having been in the music industry all my working life I think Nadine’s Creative Well is a much welcomed service recognising the need to support those in an industry with the particular lifestyle and financial experiences it can entail. As exciting and liberating as touring the world and being freelance is for example, this can also present certain challenges like being away from home for extended periods of time, being in different time zones and the emotional factors of performing. The creative process itself can also come with particular highs and lows. Whilst it can be exhilarating it can also feel isolating sometimes. Whether performing on stage, or working off stage in another supportive capacity in the industry there can also be the uncertainty of regular work and the effect that can have on someone’s sense of security and well-being if work is slim on the ground. I therefore strongly support this service prioritising the wellbeing of all those involved in music industry.
Tom Christian
Tom is an actor from Liverpool but grew up in Bermondsey, South-East London.
He developed a love for gaming at a very young age and from that grew a passion for storytelling, often contributing to fan fiction forums and getting positive interactions through this. Getting lost in these worlds became a refuge when Tom started to struggle with depression from the age of 11, even attempting to take his own life.
Tom struggled to focus in school and was suspended or expelled several times. The only class he would attend regularly and find the right support in was drama. After his final expulsion at 16, he tried his hand at several different jobs but soon struggled with the monotony and lack of challenge, causing his mental health to spiral. It was a call from Tom’s mum that turned everything around, she had enrolled him on a six-week summer course in acting and enabled him to find his passion.
Tom was eventually accepted into East 15 drama school and received the prestigious Olivier Award in his second year. After graduating, Tom went on to appear in many stage productions around the UK and at the Edinburgh Fringe. Given his love for gaming and comics, he was thrilled to be cast in the Batman Live production, touring the US as Tony Zucco.
He was then taken on by agency Olivia Bell and has since forged a career in television. He has appeared in much-loved British brands Silent Witness, Call The Midwife and Mr. Selfridge, high-profile series Bridgerton and Gangs of London, as well as hard-hitting British mini-series White House Farm, Four Lives, The Walk-In and Protection.
Tom cares passionately about mental health and the support provided in the industry and strongly believes that creatives should support one another.
About working with The Creative Well:
Having struggled with depression from a young age, mental health support is incredibly important to me. In an industry in which we are conditioned to see everyone as competition and a threat to our ambitions even at the development level, I think it’s important to scrub out that perception and instill an ethos of support and fandom for fellow creatives. The job is hard enough without isolating ourselves from the boost a supportive community can provide.
I am incredibly proud to be an ambassador for The Creative Well, there are not enough resources of this kind in this industry. It is so important for there to be a source of support for those struggling, and for them to be able to speak to people who understand exactly what they are going through.
Stage/Screen
V/O
Spotlight
Instagram
IMDb
UB40
“The music industry has been longing for an organisation like The Creative Well that looks out for the wellbeing of Artists, Crew and Management. It’s something which we believe is very important and should be given more prominence and support from industry heads and leaders.”
“There should be a duty of care to artists, especially new artists, by management and labels that are signing these young and impressionable people.”
Earl Falconer
“There are a hell of a lot of casualties within the music industry, as there is a lot of free time on the road, you just have to learn not to fill that time with drugs and drink.”
Jimmy Brown
“You have to really learn to love yourself and learn how to spend time alone. It’s very easy to party every night when you’re on the road and that can become very tiring. Take walks, read and communicate.”
Martin Meredith
“For the artists it isn’t easy when they are young or new to the music world and thrust into a position where you are surrounded by ‘yes’ people, who’s job it is to look after you 24/7. For management it can be very difficult to manage Artists and their well-being, when part of your job is to make sure they are comfortable. It can become a very thin line between their comfort and them not being able to do their job. There isn’t a rule book on managing these situations so the service now available from Nadine and the team at The Creative Well that we can look to for support in times of need or crisis is refreshing.
Matt Campbell (Management)
Amy Allard
Hailing from Suffolk, Singer- Songwriter Amy Allard captivates listeners with her heart on her sleeve, poetic lyrics and ethereal vocals, creating catchy and unforgettable pop songs you are sure to love. She overcame crippling shyness and lack of confidence to pursue a music career in 2022. Her greatest strengths are her vivid storytelling abilities and emotive vocal performances. In 2023, she performed to crowds of thousands at Ipswich Music Day (the largest free one day music festival in the UK) and Ipswich Fireworks Display. Her music has garnered attention with airtime on BBC Suffolk and Norfolk. After releasing her first five singles, Amy is poised to continue her ascent in 2024.
It is an honour to be an ambassador for The Creative Well and help to spread word about the amazing work Nadine and the team do supporting mental health in the industry. As an emerging artist myself who has suffered with anxiety and low confidence, I believe it’s so vital people in the industry have a support network they can trust. Growing up, pursuing music is never something I thought I could do, I was crippled by shyness and self doubt and lived in fear of what other people would think of me even though being a Singer Songwriter was my dream. But, in 2022, after suffering from bad anxiety, I started songwriting, singing and playing instruments to cope with it. I hope my story can help others to grow in confidence and go for their dreams! I truly believe that confidence can be built, it’s not something you are born with. I’d love to share the things I’ve learnt about building confidence and coping with anxiety, tips and tricks that have helped me face my fears. I hope my story might help in some small way and make people feel like they aren’t alone. Whatever you are struggling with right now, you can overcome it.
Natalie Dean
“Music is the heartbeat of life. My passion has always been finding that heartbeat, and bringing it to life in a way that connects us on a deeper level. As a female producer and songwriter, navigating my place in the industry has always come with pushback. Organisations like The Creative Well create a space for all creatives to feel a sense of community and support. Like many, I have struggled with mental wellbeing for years and have found a lack of support within the music industry. I feel deeply privileged to serve as an ambassador for The Creative Well, under the visionary leadership of Nadine Page. Her profound insights into the intricacies of the creative industries, coupled with her deep understanding of people, form the bedrock of her mission with The Creative Well. As a songwriter, I find my greatest joy in connecting with people through lyrics. But, like most things in life, paving your way often takes the help of a village. The Creative Well is that village, striving to foster the success of creatives through personal connection and genuine warmth. The future of music, and the people behind it are better off with the help of The Creative Well and the resources and people available within this community.” –
Rachel Meadows
“As a touring singer in the music industry I have experienced and witnessed the challenges that a career under the stage lights can bring. I love my work and wouldn’t change it for the world, but there does need to be more in place to support the creative and this is why I am proud to be an Ambassador for The Creative Well.
In my work as a vocal coach and career coach to aspiring musicians, I am passionate about helping my clients navigate the challenges the industry can present, so supporting the work that Nadine is doing and the service that she is providing for creatives is something I am excited to be involved with.”