STANDING TOGETHER

The music industry is experiencing the most difficult time it has ever faced.  Government restrictions and gaps in their financial support have forced many musicians to seek work elsewhere and 34% are considering leaving the industry forever.  I am calling for musicians and music lovers to stand together to support those in greatest need.  

This campaign has been set up by musicians, for musicians.  I am asking anyone who feels able to donate through this page to Help Musicians (formerly MBF).  Help Musicians have been a life-line for musicians through the pandemic.  They have distributed over £15million to musicians in need in the form of one off financial hardship grants, targeted financial assistance for those who fell through the gaps of government support and through the Do it Differently fund enabling musicians to adapt and sustain their music making at this time. 
As well as providing crucial financial aid Help Musicians run a much-needed free, 24hr helpline Music Minds Matter to support the mental health of musicians.

By donating you can help them to help as many musicians as possible. 

Watch my campaign video to find out more about where the campaign started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vc_rxgxb_Y

Testimonials: 

"What I find very difficult to explain is how comforting the support was. Being a freelance musician is such a precarious lifestyle. Everyone has to work so hard to build up enough work to make a living.  Now thousands of musicians have been left with no work and no form of income. Thank you so much Help Musicians
for being there to support us." Anna - freelance violinist

“I’m not sure what I would have done without the Help Musicians emergency fund. If I would have had to rely on universal credit or the government loan for the self employed I wouldn’t have had money for food. I applied for the Emergency Fund late on a Tuesday evening. The next day I saw that Help Musicians had transferred the emergency fund into my account. I felt thankful, relieved and clear headed. The day before I had felt broken and stressed. I will always be grateful for their kindness and support at such a challenging time.” MIRI - singer/songwriter 

"All areas of the music industry have been severely affected by coronavirus. As a studio engineer, not only is it now near impossible for me to work safely with and record a group of musicians, but the loss of income from live shows, creates a large knock on effect. Musicians are unlikely to be able to fund the recording of their music. Having an organisation like Help Musicians there, supporting us through this tough time is a huge morale boost. I cannot thank them enough for all they have done!"  N - Studio Engineer

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Get your (free) ticket for Dress Up To Stay In  www.dressuptostayin.eventbrite.co.uk

• Purchase the Musicians For Musicians Album Many Voices on a Theme of Isolation 
  https://musiciansformusicians.bandcamp.com/releases

• Purchase the Dancing Folk single  
  https://musiciansformusicians.bandcamp.com/track/dancing-folk
  Check out the video https://vimeo.com/476866370

• A one off donation

• Donate your creativity to the campaign by taking part in a Front Room Concert facebook.com/groups/222503358940969/

• You can also help simply by sharing this page amongst the musical community.  If we all share it perhaps my dream of Ed Sheeran donating can come true!