Families will be encouraged to take off the mask and talk about the reality of raising children – particularly during the pandemic – when The Masked Singer airs on ITV for its third series.
Home-Start UK is partnering with the prime-time TV show and social media phenomenon to launch its Behind The Mask social media campaign. It 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 Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton is one of more than 180 Home-Starts across the UK which is teaming up as part of the exciting partnership.
Louise Sansom, Grants & Trusts Fundraiser, of Home-Start Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton 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 Covidlockdowns, 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.”
Home-Start Banbury, Bicester & Chipping Norton stands alongside families to offer compassionate, non-judgemental support on a wide range of issues including postnatal depression, bereavement, coping with twins, loneliness, coping with a child or parent with disabilities anda range of support with finances.
The Masked Singer has become a national obsession and saw a peak of 10m viewers earlier this year all trying to figure out “who’s that behind the mask”. Launching on January 1st, Joel Dommett once again hosts the third series with Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan heading back to their detective chairs as the guessing game begins all over again.