Home-Start has partnered with Bandicoot and ITV’s The Masked Singer to launch its #BehindTheMask social media campaign.
What’s it all about?
Home-Start UK has been chosen alongside NSPCC and AdoptionUK as one of three charity partners supported by the popular Saturday night TV show, which features guesswork, theatrics, singers in disguise and larger than life performances.
Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire is one of more than 180 Home-Starts across the UK that is teaming up as part of this exciting partnership.
Sarah Mascall, Scheme Manager, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as one of three charity partners with ITV’s The Masked Singer. With the support of Bandicoot and ITV, Home-Start wants to begin a massive online conversation to encourage families who are struggling, for whatever reason, to come out from behind the mask and ask for help if they are going through tough times.
Research shows parents still feel a huge stigma around asking for help, with nearly half of all UK parents admitting they always or often feel ashamed of asking for support, especially when there are mental health concerns. Our new campaign encourages parents and caregivers to share some of the day-to-day funny, memorable and challenging things which happen to all of us as part of being a parent – with the hashtag #BehindTheMask.
Parenting is a tough enough job as it is, but with the added anxiety and stresses of Covid lockdowns, financial pressures, health-related concerns and for some, bereavements, it has been a really difficult couple of years for families. We hope The Masked Singer provides some much-needed light relief but also starts an all-important conversation about seeking help and where to go for help if it is needed. The need is growing as more families than ever before are finding they need support.”
During The Masked Singer show, produced by Bandicoot Scotland, part of Argonon, Home-Starts across the UK will encourage families to open up about the reality of parenting and also encourage others to check in with a family member, neighbour, work colleague or friend, to see how they are doing and if they need help.
Parents will be encouraged to share their honest, unfiltered parenting experiences on social media using the hashtag #BehindTheMask.
Bandicoot MD Derek McLean and Creative Director Daniel Nettleton said:
“We are delighted to partner with ITV to offer a platform for Home-Start to reach our loyal army of fans. We’ve got the licence to be even more bonkers than ever before with a new series packed with surprising names and musical mayhem.”
The Masked Singer has become a national obsession and saw a peak of 10m viewers during Season 2 (aired in 2021) all trying to figure out “who’s that behind the mask”. The third series launched on the 1st of January 2022 with Joel Dommett once again hosting, alongside Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan heading back to their detective chairs as the guessing game begins all over again.
Help spread the word and get involved…
So, how can you help? Well, we are encouraging local parents (Royston, Buntingford and surrounding villages and SG8 villages of South Cambridgeshire) to take off the mask and talk about the reality of raising children – particularly during the pandemic – while The Masked Singer airs on ITV for its third series.
You can do this on Twitter or Facebook, by liking, commenting and sharing our #BehindTheMask social media posts. Share with your family and friends and get them talking about parenting too!
