Finances
We know navigating finances as an actor or in stage management can be challenging (to say the least). Insecure work patterns, being self-employed, understanding taxes, and budgeting for the future can all feel overwhelming at the best of times. And if something unexpected comes up, the impact can quickly spiral. We’re here to help and offer a range of services and information to support you.
How We Can Help
The information and resources on this page, including our benefits calculator, are free for all actors and stage management. If a health issue or life event is impacting your ability to work, and you meet our eligibility criteria, we may be able to support you with a grant. We understand that it can be difficult to know where to start when thinking about finances. Our team is here for you Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm, if you’d like to talk to someone about your situation.
Financial Support Grants
If your health or a recent life event is impacting your ability to work, we may be able to provide financial support with day-to-day expenses, lessen your immediate financial concerns, and give you some breathing space to access other support you might be entitled to, so you can focus on getting yourself back on your feet.
Find out more
Information & Resources
We've created resources which can help with some of the most common financial challenges we see actors and stage management face, such as debt, budgeting, and accessing benefits you may be entitled to.
Find out moreTry our benefit calculator
Enter your details, and you will receive an estimate of your entitlement to benefits.
You may find it helpful to collect information about your income, savings, pensions and any existing benefits you are entitled to. If you have a partner, you may wish to do this for them too, before using the calculator.
See how to use the calculator for more tips.
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Useful resources
New research from Actors Trust reveals insights into the UKs acting and stage management workforce, highlighting financial insecurity, wellbeing challenges and career realities across stage and screen.
Actors and stage managers can now access up to six fully subsidised, confidential counselling sessions through our new mental health and wellbeing support service, delivered in partnership with Wellbeing in the Arts to provide specialist support tailored to the pressures of the performing arts industry.
Andrew was one of those rare people whose presence made the room steadier, kinder and somehow more meaningful. To speak of him only as a distinguished Shakespearean actor, teacher and mentor, though true, is far from sufficient. Andrew was also a man of great humanity.
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Read how research, member feedback, and the Boards vision informed our repositioning in our Chair and CEO's letter.
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Join Lesley Joseph and Rob Rinder in conversation on Zoom on Sunday 23rd November at 11.00 am. Bring a coffee and settle in for an exciting discussion about Lesleys life spent behind the camera and treading the boards.
This is the stuff that dreams are made of! We're excited to welcome three new ambassadors: Indira Varma, Luke Brady and Jason Pennycooke.
We need as many people as possible to help spread the word about Actors Trust and the support we offer. You can download our posters and leaflets below to share with important contacts. Please share this information with your colleagues, local theaters, agents, producers, and production companies. Your active involvement is what makes all the difference. Thank you!
Over the past decade, you may have seen the striking Sgt. Pepper-style montages circulating on social media, in the press, and on television each one honouring the famous faces weve lost that year. The artist behind them, Chris Barker, has approached Actors Trust to say hed like to support us with this art project as he commemorates ten years.
Read how research, member feedback, and the Boards vision informed our repositioning in our Chair and CEO's letter.