When I stepped onto the set on my first day as a Wellbeing Facilitator for Rownd a Rownd I was both excited and nervous. This was my chance to put my WBF training into practice and I was incredibly grateful to have the company and encouragement of my mentor Ruth. We were welcomed on set by the series producer and at once put at ease by her support for the role.
The first day as I introduced myself to the production team, crew and cast I was met with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. I had emailed ahead a one pager to introduce myself and the role. (But let’s be honest not everyone will have read this!) As this is a fairly new role in the industry during my first day, I found myself constantly repeating myself to everyone I met. I would explain exactly what the role involves, providing support, guidance, and resources to ensure the wellbeing of the cast and crew.
Some were eager to learn more, while some seemed a little sceptical, perhaps unsure of what to expect from a Wellbeing Facilitator. I was keen to point out how I could assist the production and reassure everyone that this was an independent role. Regardless of their initial reactions, I knew that building trust would be essential.
One of my first tasks was to start to prepare a Mental Health Risk Assessment for the production. For a drama series this involves reading the scripts and raising awareness of the possible pressure points within the production with the executive producers. We had upcoming scenes that included a hit-and-run, a hospital death, and a funeral, all of which could potentially be emotionally triggering for some members of the crew and cast.
As the day progressed, I found myself engaging in conversations that ranged from casual check-ins to deeper discussions about managing stress and maintaining work-life balance. One particular moment stood out to me. A member of the production team approached me, and confided about the challenges they were facing both on and off set. In that moment, I realized the impact that my presence could have – not just as a facilitator, but as a compassionate listener and supporter.
Don’t expect people to confide in you on your first day as a WBF. However, as they get to know you and your role becomes clearer, being a reliable source of support and understanding will prove invaluable.
As the day drew to a close, I reflected on the experiences of my first day as a Wellbeing Facilitator. I felt a mix of emotions – a sense of fulfilment from providing support, a heightened awareness of the responsibility entrusted to me, and a determination to continue fostering a positive and supportive environment for the cast and crew. At the end of this busy day, I was tired, but already looking forward to my next day on set.
Written by 6ft From The Spotlight WellBeing Facilitator, Marian Ifans.
