Help Musicians UK

Help Musicians UK

The current logo, in use since 2014
Motto	Love music, help musicians.
Formation	1921
Headquarters	Kings Cross, London
Region served	England and Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland
Chief Executive	Richard Robinson
Website	https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk

Help Musicians UK (formerly Musicians Benevolent Fund), is a United Kingdom charity offering help for musicians throughout their careers.

History

Help Musicians UK began as a fund created in 1921 following the death of English tenor Gervase Elwes, who showed compassion and kindness to musicians. After his death in a train accident in Boston, USA, his friends set up a fund for musicians in his name which in 1930, became the ‘Musicians Benevolent Fund’. Fast forward to the present day, and Help Musicians UK helps over 2,000 musicians, covering a wide range of genres, ages and professions.

Role in the Music Industry

The charity plays a vital role supporting working musicians. Their aim is to not only help emerging professionals to develop their talents but also to support existing professionals who have retired or have been hit with crisis including long term illness or financial trouble. Help Musicians UK gives financial grants to pay for medical treatment, specialist therapies and living costs and provides one-on-one help to those with life-changing situations. It improves the quality of life for retired musicians by providing regular payments and social visits. In 2014, it spent £3.3 million improving the lives of 2,505 musicians. Help Musicians UK also plays an important role in supporting emerging and graduate musicians. The charity’s creative programme helps launch musician’s careers by offering targeted financial support and opportunities when people need it most. The programme offers funding awards to postgraduate musicians undertaking advanced training and also helps with short-term treatment costs for music students experiencing health problems.

Creative Programme

• Help Musicians Transmission Fund supports talented artists to train in additional fields, expanding their skill set and develop their career.

• Help Musicians Fusion Fund enables artists to branch out their musical skill set to other genres, instruments and collaborations with other artists.

• Emerging Artists Fund aims to support emerging musicians across the whole of the UK across all genres. As part of the application process, artists must at a point where their music career is taking off, with a buzz around their music and who are committed to building a long term career in the industry.

• Northern Ireland Opportunities aim to support, sustain and grow the music industry in Northern Ireland.

• National Grants Programme offers open access funding to organisations who work with musicians on initiatives such talent, professional development and artistic practice.

• Peter Whittingham Award Jazz Award is a monetary award given to a musician or group who specialises in jazz. The award is given towards a creative project and a range of activities including mentoring, collaboration, touring collaboration, showcasing, recording or promotion.

• Postgraduate Awards is a grant payment awarded to exceptional rising stars studying a music postgraduate degree.

Health & Welfare

• Help Musicians UK Help in crisis situations sustaining their career and if possible, get back to where musicians were before.

• The charity ensures they can pursue a career in music, without compromising their Mental Health.

• It’s vital that musicians protect their Vocal Health. Help Musicians UK can support musicians through vocal problems, meaning less damage they do in the long term.

• The charity works extensively with musicians on Help in Retirement, assisting people who reach an older age who cannot afford an adequate standard of living, have unexpected needs, or who are ill.

• The charity supports artists and musicians with the prospect of Terminal Illness & Bereavement. • The cost of hearing loss for a Musician can be profound. Help Musicians UK supports people through Musicians’ Hearing Health schemes.

References