“We value the opportunity to partner with Shout to offer 24/7 mental health support to actors and stage managers. We understand mental health challenges are affecting our community immensely. 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., and nearly two thirds of off-screen professionals have faced mental health issues related to their workFilm + TV Charity – Looking Glass Survey 2024. https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/research-impact/reports/looking-glass-2024/. We understand the unique pressures of this industry: the constant rejection, the emotional demands, the sporadic work patterns. Shout is one of the many activities we have planned to address some of our community’s key needs and offer greater support.”
– Actors’ Trust
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Actors’ Trust to help support the mental health and wellbeing of their community. At Shout, we understand the unique challenges faced by those in the performing arts, and we’re proud to offer confidential, 24/7 support to anyone who needs someone to talk to. Together, we hope to make a meaningful difference to the lives of those who give so much to others through their work.”
– Francesca Hughes Partnerships Manager, Mental Health Innovations
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Mental Health & Wellbeing Information & Resources
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Wellness Webinars
Working as an actor or in stage management can be rewarding, inspiring and exciting, but it also presents a unique set of challenges. Hectic schedules, auditioning for roles, dealing with rejection and working long or anti-social hours are just some of the things that can all impact your mental and physical health.
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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."