Up to Six Fully Subsidised Counselling Sessions
Through this new service, actors and stage management professionals can access up to six fully subsidised counselling sessions if they are experiencing mental health challenges.
The sessions are delivered by experienced therapists who understand the unique demands of the acting and theatre industry, including irregular work patterns, performance pressures, job insecurity, and the emotional demands of creative work.
Why This Support Matters
Recent research highlights the scale of mental health challenges across the profession:
- 78% of actors reported experiencing mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression within the last three years.
- 74% of stage management professionals reported similar challenges during the same period.
These findings underline the importance of accessible, industry-specific mental health support for those working across sound, stage and screen.
Delivered in Partnership with Wellbeing in the Arts
To provide the highest quality support, we have partnered with Wellbeing in the Arts, a specialist organisation that delivers counselling services tailored to people working in the creative industries.
All sessions are confidential and delivered by therapists who have a comprehensive understanding of the unique pressures of the industry.
Supporting the Performing Arts Community
This new service is part of our ongoing commitment to support the wellbeing of actors and stage management professionals throughout their careers. By providing access to specialist counselling, we hope to ensure that those working across the performing arts have the support they need to thrive both professionally and personally.
If you would like to access the service or learn more about eligibility, please visit our support page or get in touch with our team.
Find out more
Related articles
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.
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.
Actors' Trust is inviting designers to submit artwork for its 2026 card range. Were looking for creative Christmas card designs as well as blank cards suitable for first night or good-luck messages.
Actors' Trust and BAPAM are delighted to bring you a series of free webinars to help you support your wellbeing.
Read how research, member feedback, and the Boards vision informed our repositioning in our Chair and CEO's letter.
Actors Trust is thrilled to be taking part in Big Give's Christmas Challenge from 2 - 9 December 2025. The best part? Donations made during the fundraising week will be doubled by our match funding champion to make double the difference to someone in need.
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.
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).
Following a review of the Royal Patronages, we are extremely proud and honoured to announce that His Majesty King Charles III will continue to be our Patron!
Attention to mental health in the workplace has never been higher and mental health awareness has worked its way into our everyday consciousness. However, the performing arts sector, including actors, may not be as far ahead as it needs to be.
We are delighted to share that His Majesty, King Charles III, has selected Actors' Trust to benefit from the sale of a beautiful and limited-edition commemorative pocket square produced by Hackett.
The Actors' Trust was invited by the King (our patron) and Queen to celebrate the contribution of William Shakespeare to the life and culture of the UK in the year marking the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and our thoughts go out to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family at this sad time.
The Actors' Trust is delighted to present a very special reading of 'Twas the night before Christmas, recorded at Clarence House in December 2020 by an ensemble cast featuring the Actors' Trust patron HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Dame Penelope Keith, Daniel Craig, Dame Judy Dench, Ncuti Gatwa, Tom Hardy CBE, Joanna Lumley OBE, and Dame Maggie Smith.
At the 2013 AGM a tribute to the late Richard Briers was made by his friend Brain Murphy.