Other Theatre and Entertainment Charities
Please know you’re not alone.
The acting, theatrical, and entertainment world is full of amazing organisations dedicated to supporting our community. Whether you need help with your career, mental health, retirement, housing, or something else entirely, there’s likely a charity out there that can help.
Here’s a rundown of some of them, categorised to make it easier to find what you need.
Support for Actors
Actors' Children's Trust
Supporting actor-parents and their children by providing financial, emotional, and practical assistance. They offer grants for childcare, activities, education, and support for children with special needs.
Find out MoreDenville Hall
A residential home for elderly actors and members of the wider theatrical industry.
Find out MoreGrand Order of Water Rats
Offering assistance to members of the theatrical profession or their dependents who are in need due to illness or old age.
Find out MoreKing George V Fund for Actors and Actresses
Awarding grants to British actors aged 60+ who have been acting for at least 15 years and are in need of financial help.
Find out MoreNational Theatre Foundation
Providing grants to assist current and former staff members, freelancers, and others with close working relationships to the National Theatre who are in financial crisis.
Find out MoreScottish Showbusiness Benevolent Fund
Extending relief to artistes in need due to old age, illness, or other reasons.
Find out MoreThe Drury Lane Theatrical Fund
Offering aid to members who have worked at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and are facing hardship due to age, ill-health, or accident.
Find out MoreThe Equity Charitable Trust
Providing financial support, retraining grants, and welfare assistance to professional performers and their dependents.
Find out MoreThe Evelyn Norris Trust
Holiday grants for members of the concert, performing, and theatrical professions who are convalescing or in need of a break.
Find out MoreThe Ralph and Meriel Richardson Foundation
Providing relief to British actors (and their spouses and children) facing hardship, requiring a minimum of 15 years of professional practice in the theatrical arts.
Find out MoreThe Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund
Supporting current and retired staff of the Royal Opera House and the Birmingham Royal Ballet, as well as those involved in producing opera, ballet, or music.
Find out MoreThe Royal Theatrical Fund
Financial assistance for people who work or have worked in the theatrical profession and are in need as a result of illness, injury, or old age.
Find out MoreThe Royal Variety Charity
Aids those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, providing financial assistance to those who are sick, elderly, or impoverished.
Find out MoreTheatre Chaplaincy UK
Offering pastoral and practical support to those of all faiths and none who are engaged in the performing arts.
Find out MoreSupport for Stage Management or Backstage
Backup Tech
The UK's registered technical entertainment charity that provides financial & wellbeing support to technical industry professionals.
Find out MoreGrand Order of Water Rats
Offering assistance to members of the theatrical profession or their dependents who are in need due to illness or old age.
Find out MoreNational Theatre Foundation
Providing grants to assist current and former staff members, freelancers, and others with close working relationships to the National Theatre who are in financial crisis.
Find out MoreTheatre Chaplaincy UK
An organisation founded in 1899 as the Actor's Church Union, providing pastoral and practical support to all individuals working in the performing arts regardless of their faith, and is a member of Acting for Others.
Find out MoreThe Evelyn Norris Trust
Holiday grants for members of the concert, performing, and theatrical professions who are convalescing or in need of a break.
Find out MoreThe Royal Theatrical Fund
Financial assistance for people who work or have worked in the theatrical profession and are in need as a result of illness, illness, or old age.
Find out MoreThe Royal Variety Charity
Aids those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, providing financial assistance to those who are sick, elderly, or impoverished.
Offering pastoral and practical support to those of all faiths and none who are engaged in the performing arts.
The Theatrical Guild
Supporting backstage and front-of-house staff, offering financial aid, training grants, and access to counselling.
Find out MoreSupport for Mental and Physical Health
Applause for Thought
Offering mental health support and resources tailored to the performing arts.
Find out MoreBritish Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM)
Providing medical advice and clinical assessments to performing artists, addressing physical injuries, mental health, and vocal/hearing health.
Find out MoreWellbeing in the Arts
Providing mental health and well-being support to individuals and organisations within the creative industries in the UK.
Find out MoreSupport for Directors
Directors Charitable Foundation
Supporting directors in need and inspiring young people from all backgrounds to consider a career in directing. They offer emergency financial help, mentorship programmes, and mental health resources.
Find out MoreSupport for Writers
Royal Literary Fund
Supporting writers in financial need by offering grants and creating earning opportunities through education programmes.
Find out MoreSupport for Dancers, Musicians or Other Performers
Dancers' Career Development
Helping dancers transition from performing to new careers by providing advice, support, and financial assistance for retraining.
Find out MoreDance Professionals Fund
Offering financial assistance to dance professionals throughout their careers and into retirement.
Find out MoreHelp Musicians
Supporting musicians throughout their careers, offering help during times of crisis and opportunity.
Find out MoreThe Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund
Supporting current and retired staff of the Royal Opera House and the Birmingham Royal Ballet, as well as those involved in producing opera, ballet, or music.
Find out MoreThe Royal Theatrical Fund
Financial assistance for people who have worked in the theatrical profession and are in need as a result of illness, injury, or old age.
Find out MoreThe Royal Variety Charity
Aids those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, providing financial assistance to those who are sick, elderly, or impoverished.
Find out MoreSupport for Film & TV Professionals
Film & TV Charity
Supporting individuals working behind the scenes in the film, TV, and cinema industries, providing resources for mental health, financial wellbeing, and promoting equity and inclusion.
Find out MoreSo, if you’re an actor, work in stage management, or anyone working in the entertainment industry, remember there’s a whole community ready to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these incredible organisations if you need help. We’re all here to support you.
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You can expect us to treat you with respect, listen to your needs, communicate clearly, and act with kindness and integrity, while ensuring your information is handled confidentially. In return, we ask that you treat our staff with respect, provide accurate information, and understand that while we strive to help, our capacity and response times may vary.

We have expectations of Actors' Trust members who are effectively ambassadors to identify potential new beneficiaries, new sources of funding and to identify new ways of meeting the evolving needs of members of the acting and stage management community facing hardship. These expectations are particularly so now that the Actors' Trust looks to involve more members as volunteers in both the governance and activity of the charity.