We Understand the Challenges
Approximately 60-70% of actors and stage management reported struggling with their mental health and wellbeing in the past yearThe Big Freelancer Survey – 2024 Freelancers Make Theatre Work. (2024). The Big Freelancer Survey. (Reported in: The Stage. 2025. Burnout and depression: Stage managers warn of mental health crisis. . If you’re feeling it too, know that you’re not alone. Research shows that those working in the performing arts are twice as likely to experience depression as people in other jobsEquity’s 2022 Scoping Review of Mental Health in Performing Arts Clements, L. (2022). Mental health in the performing arts: A scoping review of academic literature. Equity UK. (Referenced in: London Daily. 2025, July 3. People in performing arts are twice as likely to have depression, Equity finds. , nearly two thirds of off-screen professionals have faced mental health issues related to their workFilm and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey – 2024 The Film and TV Charity. (2024). The Looking Glass: Mental health in the UK film and TV industry. . We understand the unique pressures of this industry: the constant rejection, the emotional demands, the sporadic work patterns. We also know that life outside of work can throw curveballs, so whatever you’re going through, we’re here to help you access the support you need.
GRANTS
If your mental health is impacting your ability to work, we may be able to provide financial support to ease the burden and help you access therapeutic interventions.
Find out more
WEBINARS
Join our free online sessions in partnership with BAPAM, where you can learn practical techniques, connect with fellow actors and stage managements, and gain insights from industry professionals.
Find out more
24/7 SUPPORT:
We have a partnership with Shout: you can access free, confidential, 24/7 support by texting ACT to 85258.
Find out more
INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Explore our collection of helpful resources and information. Please note that our support is not appropriate for all situations, and we are not an emergency service. If you or someone you know needs immediate medical help or urgent support, please find other sources of support here.
Find out more
Useful articles
Read how research, member feedback, and the Boards vision informed our repositioning in our Chair and CEO's letter.
Today, were lifting the curtain on a new chapter of support - with new mental health and wellbeing resources, preventative initiatives to help with finances, career, and health on their way, plus an expanded grants programme.
Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya? WE do!Were thrilled to welcome Paul Chahidi, Celia Imrie and Danny Sapani as our new ambassadors.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our survey to better understand the community and challenges of actors and stage management in the current climate.
Actors' Trust and BAPAM are delighted to bring you a series of free webinars with therapist Heather Turkington to help you support your wellbeing.
We're excited to announce Maxine Peake as our newest Ambassador, joining Christopher Eccleston and Ruth Jones. Together, they will help us to raise awareness and help many more actors and stage managers." - Alison Wyman (CEO)
Obituary of the esteemed actor, Brian Murphy, who served as a Trustee of Actors' Trust (formerly known as the Actors' Benevolent Fund) for over 30 years. This obituary was written by Amanda Holt, an actor and member of Actors' Trust.
Our CEO's brief round up of 2024 highlights a significant increase in support and exciting developments.
We're thrilled to announce Christopher Eccleston & Ruth Jones as our new ambassadors for Actors' Trust.
The trustees and staff are excited to unveil the charity's new strategy, Acting for Impact,'. Acting for Impact aims to help more actors and stage managers in more ways to achieve meaningful and sustainable change. Drawing from research and industry expertise, we have developed an evidence-driven plan to address the needs of our community and maximise the charity's impact.
We are very pleased that in May 2024 the Charity Commission concluded and closed the regulatory compliance case into the Actors' Benevolent Fund (now known as Actors' Trust).
"It has always been difficult for actors and stage managers to earn a full-time living from their craft, and a cost-of-living crisis has made that even tougher. We support people who are unable to work and it would be a tragedy if AI is another factor contributing to that."