Help Musicians launches second wave of coronavirus financial support
Self-employed musicians based in the UK may be eligible for grants via the charity’s scheme.
Applications have opened for the second round of financial support offered by UK charity Help Musicians, which is aiming to support self-employed musicians during the coronavirus pandemic.
With a total fund of £2.55m, the charity will offer grant payment to support Universal Credit for musicians not eligible for the UK government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. In its first round of financial hardship support, the charity distributed a total of £8.35m to 16,700 musicians affected by the crisis.
The charity’s chief executive, James Ainscough, said: “Musicians have been hit brutally hard by the lockdown as the vast majority rely on income from performing, rehearsing, recording and teaching… With the knowledge that so many musicians remain ineligible for government support, we have no option but to offer further financial help.”
Help Musicians has also been heavily involved in setting up a new Corona Advice For Musicians website. A joint venture with other organisations including the Musicians’ Union and the Music Producers Guild, the information is largely UK-focused but includes an extensive range of links including financial and legal advice, healthcare advice and information on creative development.
To apply for the financial hardship funding, head to the Help Musicians site.