It's a tricky time for everyone - we've tried to make things a little easier and gather up some resources on the support available for your finances and mental health, as well as some creative opportunities currently out there.
Please be kind to yourselves in this time and let us know if there's anything we can do to help. You're not alone. Love and solidarity.
Please get in touch if you are aware of any other resources that you think others may find useful at this time.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COVID-19
Self-employment Income Support Scheme
This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. Click here to check if you are eligible to claim.
A scheme set up by Paul Taylor-Mills and the Turbine Theatre to support freelancers in the theatre industry. If you need support, simply email with a few sentences about your situation – grants are given on a discretionary basis. Alternatively, if you can provide support, please donate here.
A scheme set up by Frazer Brown – more info on how to apply for £1,000 towards your living costs, or to donate to the fund, here
Information on how to apply for Universal Credit is found below.
Free legal advice.
Some useful information on the government plans to ban evictions of social or private renters. If you cannot pay your rent, you should in the first instance, speak to your landlorad and try to arrange a new payment plan
West Midlands Artists Coronavirus Fund, organised by Amahra Spence
South West creatives Coronavirus Fund, organised by Jay Crutchley
Gloucestershire Artists Survival Fund, organised by Jackie Garner
South Yorkshire Creatives COVID-19 Hardship Fund, organised by Linda Bloomfield
London Artists and Creatives Coronavirus Fund, organised by Denzel Kessie and Josh Akapo
Writer's Guild Welfare Fund for playwrights facing financial difficulties during the Covid-19 crisis
Find a local foodbank (Trussel Trust website)
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources (see "International Resources" section for UK-specific resources); similar list for UK artists here and here
TheatreSupport.info by SOLT and UK Theatre (among others): support and advice for theatre industry, including signposts to funding covering workers and actors impacted by illness
TheatreMeansBusiness.info by SOLT and UK Theatre: a live database of digital learning resources, including workshops and webinars, for all off-stage theatre professionals
Theatre Skillshare Database: Set up by Nic Connaughton, Head of Theatre at the Pleasance, this document includes a tremendous list of theatre professionals who have skills to offer during this time. You can get in contact with them or add your own skills offer here
Facebook group: UK Theatre Industry Coronavirus Support
Slack (instant messaging) group: London Theatre Community
Business Skills training for creative freelancers: Free resources by FEU Training
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
A guide from the government on mental health and wellbeing.
How to access mental health services.
Visit the link above if you need urgent support.
Mental health support for artists
Some useful tips on looking after your mental health during coronavirus. If you need to speak to someone, call them free on 116 123.
Shout
Shout is a24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help, text 85258.
AnxietyUK and Mind have released wellbeing guidelines during the Covid-19 crisis
How to Fail (recommended podcast) - special episodes tackling the coronavirus:
How to Fail: Mo Gawdat on how to cope with anxiety in a time of Coronavirus
How To Fail: Alain De Botton on embracing vulnerability in the age of Coronavirus
Article: Coronavirus and your wellbeing by Mind
Article: Un-racialising the coronavirus epidemic
Theatre Helpline
A free, independent and confidential phone and email service that provides support to people working in the theatre industry. Trained staff are available to offer support and signposting on any topic which affects your wellbeing. Phone 0800 915 4617
The Writer's Guild have also compiled a list of mental health resources, click here to access
CREATIVE RESOURCES
During this difficult time, there is absolutely no need to feel like you have to be productive, that you have to come out of isolation having written your masterpiece – for those who want to, this can be a quiet period for rest, reflection and re-setting. For those who are keen to get creative, see some opportunities we have found below.
The Phil Fox Playwriting Award - CLOSES JUNE 16TH
This award invites playwrights with any level of experience from across the UK to submit full-length scripts about issues related to addiction.
The competition winner will receive a £6,000 commission from OETC to continue developing the winning script or to develop a new script about issues related to addiction. They will also receive mentoring from multi-award winning playwright Enda Walsh, who chairs the judging panel.
Kali SOLOS - CLOSES JUNE 4TH
An open call-out for female-identifying writers of South Asian descent for monologues between 3-5 minutes long, spoken by a character who is in isolation. Selected writers will receive £250 each.
The Painkiller Project - NEXT WINDOW OPEN BETWEEN JUNE 1ST-4TH
A fortnightly playwriting competition with a small £150 prize for each winning short play, which will be produced and released the following week as a podcast. More information of the entry requirements available here.
ETPEP Award 2020 - CLOSES JUNE 30TH
A playwriting prize for new UK playwrights who work in the theatre industry. The winner will receive a prize of £6,000, a development relationship with the Finborough Theatre including one-to-one dramaturgy with Finborough Theatre Artistic Director and playwright Neil McPherson; a rehearsal workshop with actors and a director to develop the play; and a staged reading performance of the winning play at the Finborough Theatre. There will also be ten runner-up prizes of £300 each. More information about entry criteria available here.
HighTide have introduced The Lighthouse Programme, offering a diverse range of support to writers during this time – check out the Script Reading Service, Palywright Crisis Support Programme, Write That Play, 40 Plays/40 Nights and the Cancellation Catalogue.
BBC Writer's Room's live database of writing opportunities
Currently seeking submissions for finished scripts without substantial previous life, available to then be accessed by theatre producers and investors
Free digital advisory sessions for artists from Artsadmin.
Create to Connect creative challenges by 64 Million Artists.
Resources for writing plays for younger audiences by Theatre Centre
Introduction to Playwriting event with Tamasha on May 28th. Apply here by 22nd May
Script submission windows are open with Middle Child (Hull), Live Theatre (Newcastle) and Theatre Royal Haymarket's Pitch Your Play scheme (London)