Resources

Useful public resources

Help Musicians UK is an independent UK charity for professional musicians of all genres. They help at times of crisis with financial support and by providing information about appropriate health care practitioners. They can be reached on 0207 239 9101 or help@helpmusicians.org.uk. Their advice page is here.

PRS for Music Some key findings on mental health and coping mechanisms for creatives…Click to view the article.

Mental Health

Mind the national mental health charity, provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Their website contains information and guidance, and their telephone helpline is available on 0300 123 3393.

NHS Talking Therapies provides advice on how to access psychological therapy services. You can seek a referral from a GP, or refer yourself. NHS Every Mind Matters also includes practical well-being advice.

Inc Arts Minds - Inc Arts has partnered with Chanua Health to provide FREE group therapy led by qualified counsellors for people who have experienced racism to share their experiences and heal. If you work in any capacity in the arts, museums, and libraries in the UK you can sign up on the website for free counselling support to help you in these challenging times. 

Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen to anything that is upsetting you, including intrusive thoughts and difficult thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Their national freephone number is 116 123, or you can email jo@samaritans.org. Samaritans also offer a Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 (from 7pm–11pm only).

BAPAM is the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine. It connects performing artists and musicians with free specialist health support. To book a free appointment you can call 020 7404 8444 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday).

CALM - If you're a man experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58, and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.

C.A.L.L. - If you live in Wales, you can contact the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) for a confidential listening and support service. Their number is 0800 123 737 or you can text 'help' to 81066.

Financial Advice

Citizens Advice - offers specific advice if you’re struggling with living costs.

·  England: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/coronavirus-check-what-benefits-you-can-get/

· Northern Ireland: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/northern-ireland/

· Scotland: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/coronavirus-check-what-benefits-you-can-get/

· Wales: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/benefits/coronavirus-check-what-benefits-you-can-get/

You can call the Adviceline in England on 0800 144 8848 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday). You can call the Adviceline in Wales on 0800 702 2020 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday). If you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can also contact them using Relay UK. 

HMRC has a Covid-19 helpline for self-employed people and businesses, which is 0300 456 3565 (8am-4pm, Monday-Friday).

Step Change provides free expert debt advice. Their number is 0800 138 1111 (8am-8pm, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, Saturday) or you can contact Business Debtline (England, Wales and Scotland) or Advice NI (Northern Ireland) for free and impartial advice service if you are self-employed.