Corona advice for musicians

This page has been created to be a central source of support and advice for all musicians during the coronavirus period. We will update regularly as the situation develops.

Government advice

Coronavirus guidance and support

Read the very latest Government updates, guidance and advice here.

health
advice

Coronavirus restrictions in your area

Check the guidance here for information on coronavirus restrictions in your local area and use the postcode finder for specific information about the rules where you are.

If you are feeling unwell

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

mental health and wellbeing

Public Health England guidance on looking after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Business
support

DWP Covid 19 Universal Credit Support campaign

A website from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with information, advice and FAQs on employment, self employment and benefit support through COVID-19.

HMRC Tax Helpline

HMRC’s tax helpline offers advice for businesses and self employed people concerned about their tax payments due to coronavirus. If you’re unable to pay, HMRC can discuss payment plans, suspending debt collection and cancelling penalties and interest when administrative issues arise.

8.00 to 20.00 Mon – Fri, closed Bank Holidays.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary measures to support businesses across the UK through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19, including SMEs.

across
the UK

Wales

Read the latest updates and information about coronavirus from the Arts Council of Wales.

Business Wales has put together a Covid-19 business support finder with resources which could be available to you.

Scotland

8.30 to 17.30 Mon – Fri

Northern Ireland

Find out how to access the support that has been made available to NI businesses and employees during the coronavirus period – who is eligible and how to apply.

Advice is also available from:

Money worries

Financial
hardship

Information about the Help Musicians’ Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund 2022

Unfortunately, we enter this new year with many musicians struggling to make ends meet due to Covid disruption.

Thanks to ACE and DCMS who have provided £650k of hardship funding, Help Musicians will be making further payments to musicians facing financial hardship, with applications for support opening on 31 January 2022.

The total amount of funds available will be at least £1m (Help Musicians will add £350k of its own funds into the scheme), which will be distributed to musicians whose needs are greatest.

This new round will see a one-off payment of at least £250 made to those eligible, with higher amounts available to those in the most challenging financial conditions if there are sufficient funds.

Further details, including how to apply for this round of financial support, will be announced in due course on the Help Musicians website.

Follow Help Musicians on social media or sign up to the mailing list below to find out as soon as applications open.

Sign up to the Help Musicians mailing list here

We strongly recommend that you follow current government advice and apply for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.

Help Musicians has put together some tips and helpful resources for musicians on accessing Universal Credit. Watch the video here.

Help Musicians

Help Musicians offers structured support to professional musicians in times of personal crisis. We are unable to replace lost earnings but we are able to provide financial support in cases of significant financial hardship as well as signposting for debt or welfare related issues.

ISM

MUSICIANS’ UNION

VARIOUS MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATIONS OPERATE THEIR OWN BENEVOLENT FUNDS:

  • Musicians’ Union

  • The Royal Society of Musicians

    All applications must be supported in writing by a Member or Honorary Member of the Society, or a Society-approved organisation.

  • PRS Members’ Fund

    Provide support and advice to PRS members and their families, who may be struggling financially, physically or emotionally and are in need of help.

  • The Royal Variety Charity

    Offers financial assistance to those working in the entertainment industry experiencing unforeseen financial hardship as a result of certified ill-health.

  • The Royal Theatrical Fund

    May be able to help musicians whose career has been in the theatre. A number of orchestras and opera houses also have their own small funds.

OTHER SOURCES OF USEFUL
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & ADVICE

DEBT
ADVICE

DEBT ADVICE AND SUPPORT

ADVICE ABOUT BUSINESS RELATED DEBTS

Health and Financial

HELP MUSICIANS

The Health and Welfare team offers structured support to professional musicians in times of personal crisis. Our approach is person-centred; building tailored support around an individual’s specific needs. We provide financial assistance for health interventions and access to music specialist health assessments for performance related health issues.

BAPAM

BAPAM is a specialist healthcare charity giving medical advice to performing arts professionals and students. Their expert clinicians understand the demands of a performing arts career and can help with problems including work-related injuries and pain, tension, voice problems, hypermobility, performance or career-related anxiety and other psychological issues. BAPAM clinicians are from a range of backgrounds including general practice, physiotherapy, psychology, osteopathy, rheumatology, and orthopaedics.

BAPAM is offering a series of free online training sessions for musicians covering a range of performance health issues.

Every Tuesday, BAPAM hosts facilitated sessions to support you in developing and sustaining healthy practices as a performing artist.

STAYING HEALTHY

Sport and Exercise Nutritionist James Collins writes for ISM on looking after your health during lockdown.

How to set up a home work station to avoid back pain.

Mental health

IMMEDIATE
HELP

MUSIC MINDS MATTER

A free, confidential, around the clock helpline run by Help Musicians for the entire music industry. Whatever you do in music and whatever you’re going through right now, contact Music Minds Matter for a listening ear.

MUSIC SUPPORT

A support service and helpline for anyone in the music industry suffering from alcoholism, addiction, emotional or mental health issues.

Information and guidance for musicians including details of Music Support services and links to further health and wellbeing resources

ISM

MIND

For urgent help and support. Plus advice on how to support others. 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

RESOURCES

ARTSMINDS

ArtsMinds brings together resources for performers and creative practitioners facing mental health issues. The ArtsMinds website is a collaboration between BAPAM, Equity, Spotlight and The Stage.

COPING WITH CHANGE

Read Psychotherapist Helen Brice’s blog post for Help Musicians on the link between change and anxiety, and how mindfulness can help.

CORONAVIRUS AND YOUR WELLBEING

Helpful information from mental health charity Mind on looking after your wellbeing during the outbreak.

MENTAL WELL-BEING IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC

  • Career coach, Executive Sounding Board and Counsellor Nick Gendler writes about maintaining mental health during Covid-19

MUSIC INDUSTRY THERAPISTS & COACHES

Available as a free download from the MITC website.

PRS MEMBERS’ FUND – LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Check out PRS Members’ Fund’s downloadable guide to self care and good mental health

THRIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING PHONE APP

The NHS approved Thrive app offers 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support as well as help with early detection, prevention and management of common mental health disorders. Thrive’s partnership with Music Support offers 1,000 free download codes for the app available through Music Support’s website here.

Help Musicians’ partnership with Music Support also offers free access to the Thrive app for 4,500 musicians. Click here for more information.

Working online

COPYRIGHT: WHERE YOU STAND AS AN ONLINE MUSICIAN

Practical advice which considers some of the copyright implications involved in moving to an online teaching or performing environment.

DIGITAL CULTURE NETWORK

Arts Council England’s Digital Culture Network helps artists and organisations develop digital skills and find new ways to reach and engage audiences.
Read about the resources, events and support available here.

HOW TO PUT ON ONLINE CONCERTS & GIGS

Advice on setting up, promoting and monetising online performances.

HOW TO WORK REMOTELY AS A MUSICIAN

Advice blog from Audrey Riley, cellist, composer and ICMP music tutor on how to adapt your practice as a musician for remote working during the lockdown period.

LIVESTREAMING

RECORDING FROM HOME

Trumpet player and contractor Paul Spong of Music Creation talks about working remotely as a session musician and getting the right set up to record at home.

Musician Charlie Glover-Wright explains what you’ll need to start recording music at home.

SETTING UP FOR ONLINE PERFORMANCE

  • Artist and Composer Robin Rimbaud explains how he used available tools and technology to take his performances online.

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR MUSICIANS IN LOCKDOWN

  • Sean Adams (Drowned In Sound, BBC 6 Music) offers 12 social media tips for musicians, creatives and business owners to help grow your online presence

TEACHING MUSIC ONLINE

Other helpful information

ISM’s Covid Advice Centre

ADVICE FOR PARENTS ON WORKING FROM HOME

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FEDERATION (REGULAR UPDATES)

GUIDANCE FOR MUSICIANS ON HOUSING

HOW TO REACH FANS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PERIOD

ISM: WRITING A RISK ASSESSMENT 

IVORS ACADEMY

MPG GUIDELINES ON REOPENING RECORDING STUDIOS AND PRODUCTION ROOMS SAFELY

RECORDING SESSION SAFETY DURING THE OUTBREAK

Safety advice from the MU on attending recording sessions as a freelancer

UK MUSIC