Back in 2013, our world was falling apart, my husband, Jerry, was 4 years into a diagnosis of early onset Parkinson’s disease, our son, Jack, was 7 years old and the future seemed utterly bleak.
Jerry was no longer able to work as an actor, since his diagnosis in 2009, he had continued to work, TV jobs here, the odd advert there and roleplay work in between. But now, in 2013, his Parkinson’s was too noticeable. People thought he was drunk or had a drug issue with his shaking. He could no longer do the job he loved so much. To make things worse, his cognition seemed to be being affected, he was having problems finding his words, processing what people said to him, he was getting confused, all things that made the work that we all do impossible.
Suddenly, our family was reliant just on me to provide an income. The odd TV job wasn’t going to cut it, theatre work was practically impossible as I was needed at home to be the parent to Jack and to support Jerry in this frightening new world that he was experiencing. I was doing more roleplay work, but not enough. We didn’t know what to do, I have never felt more alone than I did at that time.
From the first contact with Actors’ Trust, something changed viscerally for me, suddenly I was walking this path with support – yes, in the most fundamental terms, the lifeline of financial support, but actually so much more than that. Emotional support, a friendly voice on the end of the phone or answering an email, invaluable advice on what benefits Jerry could access. For the last 11 years, it is no exaggeration to say that I don’t know what we would have done without the support of the Actors’ Trust. You helped us in our darkest times when life was crashing down around us and continued supporting us through incredibly challenging days. You enabled us to pay our bills, keep our house, buy food, buy medical supplies. You comforted us with friendly conversation with people who understand this wonderful but tough industry, shared our lows and also celebrated the good times.
Today, in 2024, Jerry is now very unwell and in the later stages of his illness, but I still feel that we are not alone on this journey, the genuine interest, support and care that we have received from you has changed our lives. We can never thank you enough.
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Jarryd Nurden
What I vividly remember from the Actors' Trust is the feeling of being VALUED, truly HELD, SEEN, and absolutely CARED FOR!
Anthony Saunders
It is without doubt so crucial that anyone - actor or stage manager - unable to work due to health or retirement to get in touch with Actors' Trust.
Martin Warden
As I became medically retired there seemed to be nowhere to turn. I was wrong! The Actors' Trust has helped and supported me in times of need.
Petar Vidovic
Many thanks to the Actors' Trust for the invaluable support that keeps my hopes for work as an actor and a better future alive.
Michael Curran-Dorsano
I cannot thank you enough for your generous and critical support. Like many of those in the arts, I've faced unprecedented financial and emotional stress during these trying times. Between the pandemic, SAG-AFTRA strike, inflation, a cost of living crisis, and other major disruptive factors such as AI, I've never felt more uncertain about my future in the arts.
Ronni Menzies-Stirling
Thanks to the Actors' Trust, I have not had to face this challenge alone. They have helped me get through one of the toughest, most difficult times in my life, and I will never forget them for it.
Luke Rose
One of my good friends told me about the Actors' Trust and from the very first email I felt really safe.