Help Musicians UK
Help Musicians UK (formerly Musicians Benevolent Fund), is a United Kingdom charity offering help for musicians throughout their careers.
It was begun as a fund created in 1921 following the death of English tenor Gervase Elwes, it's helped thousands of musicians establish themselves in the music industry, get through a serious crisis, cope with long term difficulties and enjoy retirement.
It plays a vital role supporting working musicians who are dealing with an illness, injury or accident. It gives financial grants to pay for medical treatment, specialist therapies and living costs and provides one-on-one help to those with life-changing situations. It improves the quality of life for retired musicians by providing regular payments and social visits. In 2014, it spent £3.3 million improving the lives of 2,505 musicians.
Help Musicians UK also plays an important role in supporting emerging and graduate musicians. The charity’s Talent Programme helps launch musician’s careers by offering targeted financial support and opportunities when people need it most. The programme offers funding awards to postgraduate musicians undertaking advanced training and also helps with short-term treatment costs for music students experiencing health problems.
Amongst the awards they offer, they administer the Peter Whittingham Award.