Media Parents

I’ve recently joined Media Parents to connect with new contacts and hopefully find my first welfare producing role for 2025, writes David Allberry.  I took advantage of Media Parents free CV advice for subscribers to help me create a new Welfare Producer CV so I can diversify my skills. Like many freelancers, it’s been a challenging few months, with a couple of projects falling through.  I know I’m not alone – it’s a difficult time for so many talented people in the industry.

Talent Exec David Allberry is transferring his experience to Welfare Producing too

I am an experienced Celebrity Talent Executive with over 20 years of success casting some of the UK’s biggest shows, including Celebrity Bear Hunt, Hunted, The Island with Bear Grylls, Soccer Aid, The Jump, and Scared of the Dark.  Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with high-profile talent, navigating complex personalities, and handling sensitive situations with care and discretion.

Over the years, I’ve realised that the parts of my job I enjoy the most often go beyond booking talent.  Whether it’s supporting a celebrity through bereavement, having honest conversations about consent and shared spaces, or offering reassurance during emotionally charged moments, I’ve naturally stepped into a welfare role – albeit uncredited.

On location with LLB on Celebrity Bear Hunt https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/10584/david-allberry

As the industry continues to evolve, I made the decision to upskill and diversify by formally moving into welfare producing.  My aim is to bring my well-honed people skills, active listening abilities, and deep industry knowledge to support the mental health and well-being of talent and crew alike.

To back up my experience with credentials, I’ve spent the last year building my qualifications. I’ve completed the CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills course and I’m currently studying Level 3 Applied Counselling Skills in Tonbridge, attending weekly classes.  This journey has given me valuable insights into empathy, boundaries, and emotional resilience – skills that are highly transferable to welfare producing.

I’m also a certified mental health first aider and volunteer as a listener for Samaritans, offering support to people in crisis.  From September, I plan to further deepen my expertise by studying a part-time PG Diploma in Counselling and Coaching, with the ultimate vision of providing specialist mental health support within the screen industries.

My ambition is to straddle both celebrity casting and welfare, using my experience and contacts to improve mental health support in the industry I love, and I feel I’m making good progress with the help of Media Parents.  I’m part of the Film and TV Welfare Association (FTVWA) working group, helping to shape the future of welfare practices across productions of all sizes.

Book David Allberry https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/10584/david-allberry

I still have a passion for casting big, noisy shows, but I’m equally excited about stepping into my first welfare producing role as my primary focus.  With my unique blend of industry experience, mental health training, and people-first approach, I’m confident I can be a valuable asset in supporting the well-being of talent and crew on productions.

If you’re looking for a welfare producer with deep industry knowledge, hands-on experience, and formal counselling training, I’d love to connect and explore how I can contribute to creating healthier, more supportive working environments in TV.

Contact David Allberry here, he is currently available.

Our next event is in person drinks in Central London on May 1st, see blog post for more details and booking link. Scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers, join here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer