Financial support
The cost-of-living crisis has left lots of industry workers with new financial worries and concerns. But with support, information, and resources specifically for people working in film, TV, or cinema, we can help you find the right financial support, from one-off grants to help you in a crisis, to useful tools like our budget planner and savings calculator.
Money and mental health
We know that there is a strong link between financial hardship and poor mental health.
If you are at risk, or experiencing a mental health emergency, find out how to access urgent medical help here.
If you need someone to talk to, our 24/7 Support Line is free, independent and completely confidential. Call us on 0800 054 0000 for advice from a member of our team. If you need longer-term mental health support, you can request a referral for further counselling sessions.
Financial Support Services
Apply for a grant
If you’re facing financial barriers that are holding you back, we’re here to support you. Our Stop Gap Grant is there to help during times where you have a financial shortfall and cannot cover your expenses. If you work behind the scenes in film, TV or cinema, then you may be eligible for one of our grants. Please note: applications for our grants are only awarded once within a 12-month period. However, considerations can be given to urgent circumstances when applying for the Stop Gap Grants.
- The Sir Horace Ové Grant: Grants of up to £500 to help Black and Global Majority people working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema to specifically access opportunity and navigate barriers to career progression.
- Stop Gap Grants: Grants of up to £750 open to people from all backgrounds to specifically help manage urgent financial needs or to support with unexpected costs in a crisis.
Financial Support Tools
When it comes to financial advice, it can be tricky to navigate all of the information and support available. We have created a list of useful financial resources that are specific and helpful for those working in film, TV and cinema.
We have also partnered with MoneyHelper to provide a range of practical tools to help improve your financial wellbeing. Use our resources to help you take control of your finances by learning how to budget, save and prioritise your bills.
- Grants and benefits: Find out which are relevant to you and how to apply.
- Check for unclaimed benefits: If your household income is less than £40k per annual year, you could be missing out on benefits or extra support. You can also use the free online Benefits Calculator tool here to check for any unclaimed benefits you might be entitled to. Please note: prior to applying, please ensure you have checked your availability for statutory help.
- Managing your money: Gain a better understanding of how to manage your money and improve your finances by using MoneyHelper’s Budget Planner and Bill Prioritiser. If you work as a freelancer in film and TV,then you can use the planner to work out an average income.
- Budget Template: In addition to our ‘Managing your money’ tools, you can download the budgeting template from David Thomas Media.
- Planning ahead: Use our savings Calculator to learn how to grow your money and reach your financial target.
- Freelancers can have greater financial security with an additional benefits package through IPSE. Click here to explore their membership packages.
Further advice and sources of support
-
-
- Dealing with the cost-of-living crisis: Tips, advice and tools to help you cope with the rising cost of living.
- Help for Households: Find out more about support available to help with the cost of living and discover ways to save money with practical energy saving tips.
- Money Saving Expert: have produced a cost of living help guide, including over 90 ways to save cash to help you get through the current crisis.
- You can also contact Step Change for information, advice and support on dealing with debt.
- Christians Against Poverty also provide free debt help.
-
Financial Support Email Series
Access our financial email series for helpful information, useful tips and advice to understand how to improve your financial well-being.
In the series of information, we cover the following:
- Practical financial tips
- How to navigate and plan for tax bills
- Benefits available to you
- How to manage your money
- How to improve your financial wellbeing
Tailored support with work and wellbeing
Life and work don’t always run smoothly. You may be up against barriers that stop you moving up in your career, or you could be returning to work after a break due to illness, raising a family, or caring for loved ones. Whatever the issue, our friendly work and wellbeing advisors can help.
You can work closely with our advisors over a 3 month period to see what’s holding you back, think through the options and get back on track. There’s support and guidance with anything from debt and housing, to mental health worries. We can also sort out career guidance with friendly professionals, who have lots of experience in our industry, including managing and hiring.
Welcome to the Film and Television Charity. Calls are recorded for the purposes of quality and staff training. This is a confidential service, however, there are some exceptions to this and these are where there may be a risk to your own health and safety, that of others or if you have been involved in a crime. An advisor will be with you shortly, Thank You.
All of our advisors are busy at the moment. Would you like to book an appointment?
An error occurred, please refresh your browser to try again.
