Donate – The Theatrical Guild

Support Our Work

We receive no public subsidy so can only provide the vital support needed for backstage and front of house theatre workers across the UK with your help.

With only one salaried staff member, we guarantee that we will make every penny count. This means you can rest assured that whether you can afford £5 or £5,000, today or as a gift in your will, it will go straight to someone in need, be it to help prevent homelessness, provide food vouchers or deliver urgent mental health counselling sessions.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, is a practical and valuable way to support our vision. Put simply – it is your donations that make our work possible.

The Good Exchange Fundraising Campaign in partnership with Sir Ian McKellen

Many of the people working in backstage and front of house positions in theatres across the UK are low-paid, self-employed or on zero hours contracts, and many, through no fault of their own, have fallen between the gaps for available Government support in 2020/21.

With theatre productions “on hold” and all production work cancelled during that time, there was a growing need to support the individuals whose skills and commitment make up the backbone of the theatre industry.

In response, Sir Ian McKellen generously donated £40,000 from his triumphant 80th birthday tour of theatres across the UK, to help support The Theatrical Guild’s Emergency Fund, helping the vast army of people who work tirelessly to raise the curtain on theatre productions across the UK.

Our promise is that every penny raised on The Good Exchange will be paid directly to the individuals we represent to support them during these difficult times.

Donations

We gratefully accept both one-off and monthly donations. Every day we help people up and down the UK get back on their feet – and it’s all thanks to you.

Monthly donation

Single donation

Become A Friend

Become a friend of the Theatrical Guild and receive a twice-yearly newsletter, which keeps you up to date with how we’re putting your money to good use, an invitation to our AGM, and early access to tickets for our fundraising events. Direct debits renew automatically each year.

Gold

£500 a year

Silver

£100 a year

Bronze

£25 a year

Under 25's

£15 a year

How Your Donations Have Helped

Sophie, 50, Dresser

Sophie’s husband has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer so she is the sole earner in their house.

The immediate closure of the theatre where she worked left her facing an immediate and total loss of income which meant that she was unable to cover her rent, household bills, food and additional home care for her husband.

Sophie was not eligible to be furloughed and there was a long delay in her application for Universal Credit. The emotional strain of dealing with her husband’s recent diagnosis and the subsequent loss of all income was overwhelming.

The Theatrical Guild agreed a grant of £750pm for three months and ten counselling sessions.
Annie, 30, Stage Manager.

Annie was on tour when lockdown began. She had been staying in theatre digs paid for by the production management. When the show closed overnight, she received no financial support and had no family with whom she could stay so was homeless.

The Theatrical Guild agreed a grant of £500pm to secure temporary accommodation.
Peter, 23, Usher

Peter lives with his invalid parents and younger brother in rented accommodation. Both parents are housebound and their sons are their carers. He works day and evening shifts and is been employed on zero hours contracts.

The show he had been working on closed just before lockdown and the front of house work he was due to take up was cancelled.

The family have recently been told that his mother is now terminally ill and his father is currently undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia.

This has all had a huge impact on Peter’s mental health and the fear of finding the money to pay for the funeral costs is an added and constant worry.

The Theatrical Guild agreed a grant of £500 to be reviewed monthly, ten counselling sessions and an assurance that they will help with the funeral costs.

Legacies

Leaving a gift in your will is your chance to make a meaningful investment in the long-term future of the theatre industry.

Without the generous donations we receive, we simply could not carry out the work we do, and by including the Theatrical Guild in your will, you will help to ensure that there will always be a safety net for backstage and front of house theatrical workers across the UK who fall on hard times.

For most people, making or amending a will is a very simple process, but we would always recommend that you use a solicitor or a will writing service – it is far too important to risk making a mistake.

Charitable legacies are paid before tax is deducted, so a bequest to the Theatrical Guild will reduce the total amount of inheritance tax due from your Estate.

If you would like more information, please contact us at admin@ttg.org.uk or on 020 7240 6062.