CALM is not like most other charities. One of our founding Trustees was Manchester’s legendary music impresario, Tony Wilson, helping us to establish CALM firmly on the music scene in Manchester and beyond. We reach young men on their own territory, using music, media, festivals and a growing online community to reach young men on their own terms.
Music has always been central to what we do and how our supporters reach us. In 2010 Cage Against The Machine chose CALM as their charity to benefit from their Christmas No.1 campaign, whilst our magazines feature exclusive interviews with Professor Green, whilst Dizzee Rascal chose to donate the profits of his single CALM to… guess who. CALM has consistently attracted support from the music and media for our innovative approaches to supporting young men with depression and suicide. You probably won’t hear about CALM at a GP surgery but in Merseyside where CALM has established a track record of success, you’ll find our logo and number on gig flyers.
Patrons
David Baddiel, legendary comic and broadcaster
James Scroggs, former MTV VP and council member of the ICA, London
Robin Millar CBE, record producer and mentor
“What support groups like CALM do is help men who struggle with balance to understand that they are not alone. That when things get too much, there is help at hand. It’s really important that music plays a part in this. It helps people to express themselves when simple dialogue is not enough.”
- Zane Lowe, BBC Radio1 DJ and TV Presenter
We are immensely proud of our connections with Topman, who help print and distribute our CALMzine publication, and we can count on the support of The Metro, Network Rail, Comic Relief, BMB media and MTV in getting our message across. City Bridge Trust recognise the importance of CALM and are helping to fund our new London CALMzone project. CALM comes with a formidable music board chaired by Ajax Scott and featuring representatives from We7, Graphite, AIM and other innovative media companies, and we have a great record of securing pro-bono award-winning marketing campaigns, from Ogilvy Advertising, Tullo Marshall Warren, Claremont and BMB, who we can continue to count on to bring their contacts and resources to CALM.
CALM has long-established partnerships with the NHS too who recognise our innovative approach. We now have initial funding from three inner west London PCTs for our London CALMzone and are working to secure more across London to tackle the capital’s biggest killer of young men.
Finally it is those who have felt the overwhelming impact of suicide who have continued to support and believe in our campaign from the outset, the parents, friends and relatives who are helping us challenge that being silent isn’t being strong. We’re on the side of young men, and we can finally count on the innumerable young men who have spoken to us, written for us, organised events or raised money for us, who continue to participate in our CALM community.
To find out more about our supporters and how you can help CALM, check www.theCALMzone.net/unite.
