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Eric Mtungwazi takes over as managing director of the mental health/addictions charity as co-founder Samantha Parker launches her own consultancy
By IQ on 02 Oct 2018
Music Support, the mental health charity for the UK music industry, has appointed experienced third sector professional Eric Mtungwazi as managing director.
Mtungwazi will be responsible for managing all aspects of the charity’s core services, staff, volunteers and day-to-day business activities.
Music Support, which soft-launched in early 2016, is a registered charity providing help and support for anyone in the music industry suffering from addiction and/or mental health issues. Founded and run by individuals from the music industry with personal experience of these issues, including production manager Andy Franks and artist manager Matt Thomas, Music Support has evolved into a 24/7 helpline offering peer support, Safe Tents at UK festivals and a psychiatric assessment and signposting service. It also offers a discreet crisis management service.
Mtungwazi joins Music Support from City Year UK, a youth social action and education charity, where he was programme director. Prior to that, he spent five years working for Back-Up, a leading charity supporting children and adults affected by spinal cord injury. He is also a former semi-professional footballer and has toured as a singer/songwriter in the UK and overseas.
“My primary focus will be to build on the great work and strong foundations that are already in place”
Eric Mtungwazi says “Music Support is a hugely important support organisation within the music industry, offering a wide range of help and services to individuals suffering from problems arising from mental health or addiction issues.
“My primary focus, with help from the amazing team here, will be to build on the great work and strong foundations that are already in place and to ensure that anyone who needs our help recognises that they are not alone.”
Mtungwazi also pays tribute to Music Support co-founder Samantha Parker, who is leaving her formal position to launch a new venture, Parker Consulting, which aims to provide specialist mental health and wellbeing expertise to the music and entertainment industries. She will continue to act as a consultant to Music Support.
“We also send our best wishes to our co-founder Sam Parker for her new venture,” concludes Mtungwazi, “and look forward to working with her in a consultancy capacity moving forward.”
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