This week Help Musicians announced details of an incredible £5 million fund for musicians going through financial hardship due to the Coronavirus.
The effect of the virus and the restrictions on everyday life has had a staggering effect on the finances of many, with the income of many musicians affected greatly. The Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund aims to provide support for those struggling, with eligible musicians able to apply for a one-off payment of £500. With the UK government only just announcing financial help for the self employed, which is unlikely to be paid out until June, this fund may be vital for many.
The charity asks that only those suffering severe financial hardship apply, so as to help those who need it most. Applications are made through the following online form, with the charity expecting to respond within 10 working days. Already a number of artists have shared news of receiving their payments, with the fund only launching on Wednesday 25th.
The fund is supported by Spotify and the Royal Society of Musicians. The charity is also part of a regularly updated information resource on the virus situation for musicians: http://www.coronamusicians.info/
“For almost one hundred years, Help Musicians has worked hard to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians, and there has rarely been a time where that has been as important as it is now. Our Health & Welfare team has received hundreds of calls and emails over the last week from musicians needing urgent financial support. The Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund has been created to provide emergency financial aid to musicians in an urgent manner at this critical moment. We continue to work in collaboration with many industry partners to keep the vital resource website coronamusicians.info up-to-date, and our usual channels of person-centred aid continue. Given the magnitude of the situation, only the government can fully provide what musicians require to survive the months that lie ahead. We are shocked at the government’s reticence to help some of the most vulnerable workers, and we are fully supportive of the campaign for meaningful help to be provided. In the meantime, we hope however that this emergency funding option will help thousands of musicians in the weeks ahead.”
Help Musicians’ Chief Executive James Ainscough
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