While parents and carers can be any gender, Raising Films believes that – because women continue to do disproportionate amounts of caring labour – it is women who are most affected by this issue, and that it has an affect on equality and inclusion. To learn more about gender inequality in the film industry, check out Our Work.
The Film and TV Charity runs a 24/7 support line on 0800 054 0000 or via live chat. This service is free and confidential, and offers advice or just a listening ear, as well as referral to a range of specialist services from the Charity, including legal and financial advice, counselling, and casework.
Pregnant Then Screwed offers support for women who have faced maternity or pregnancy discrimination, including free legal advice and a mentorship scheme. Call the helpline on 0161 222 9879. Go the Pregnant Then Screwed website for opening times and further info.
We’re delighted to have partnered, collaborated and been in conversation with several of the long-running and emerging support organisations and programmes supporting parents and carers working in the media, and to share them with you here.
Animated Women UK: For women working in any part of the animation or visual effects industries, including students and recent graduates who are at the beginning of their careers.
Barb.: Working in partnership with other organisations, Barb. aims to create a free online database providing searchable contact information for women in the UK film or television industry.
Birds Eye View: From 2002 to 2014, Birds Eye View ran an international women’s film festival in London. They continue to run filmmaker training programmes, regular screenings and special events.
Booth: A directory and advocacy network for women working in film, showcasing members’ work.
Dial F for Freelancer: A platform dedicated to UK & Irish film exhibition and distribution freelancers
Films Fatales (London): A network of women filmmakers to mentor each other, share resources, collaborate and build a supportive community in which to make their films.
gal-dem: Created by women of colour for everyone gal-dem is an online and print magazine covering news, culture and just about everything. Also a collective, they regularly host networking events for WoC in creative industries.
Illuminatrix: An eclectic collective of female cinematographers based in the UK and working internationally.
Parents in Performing Arts: An organisation dedicated to campaigning for equal opportunities and access for parents and carers working in the performing arts.
Project Noir: A members-only community for professional creatives of colour from African, Caribbean and Asian heritage that connects diverse talent with key players in media through networking events and opportunities.
Reel Angels: A network and agency for women working freelance in all tech roles in the film and TV UK industry: join one or both!
The TV Mindset (Facebook group): A place to support the mental health of TV & Film freelancers and bring meaningful change to working practices in the industry.
Times UP UK: an organisation that insists on safe, fair and dignified work for everyone.
Underwire Film Festival: Since 2010 the festival has been celebrating female filmmaking talent across the crafts in the UK.
Women in Animation: A global network (with London and Dublin chapters) of women working in animation; currently campaigning for 50/50 by 2025.
Women in Film and Television: With a network of over 14,000 women, this one of the leading membership organisations for women working creative media in the UK.