The Theatrical Guild

Our aim is to provide a practical support system for those in need.

We support ALL Backstage and Front of House, theatre staff in the UK including ushers, electricians, technicians, company managers, carpenters, box-office, stage management, bar-staff, front-of-house staff, theatre managers, cleaners, crew members, wardrobe, dressers, and firemen in theatres throughout the country.

Examples of our support include:

• Financial help and support to working members of the profession who find it difficult to cope due to accidents, personal or family crisis, or illness of any kind. This includes one-off payments to help with loss of earnings in cases of accidents and/or ill health. We can also offer help with heating bills, the replacement of essential appliances such as fridges or cookers, life enhancing equipment such as mobility scooters or wheelchairs; help towards spectacles, hearing aids or visits to the chiropodist.

We would also consider grants towards the replacement of clothes and furniture due to fire or theft; any unexpected travel costs to visit seriously ill relatives and financial support towards rent in cases of eviction.

• Regular grants to retired members of the profession, enabling them to maintain their independence. These are quarterly payments; we also pay for their TV licence, telephone rental, occasional holiday allowance and at Christmas, funds allowing, we make an additional payment. All this, along with ongoing telephone backup and visits when necessary, to make sure all our retired beneficiaries are claiming for, and receiving their entitled Government benefits.

• As well as assisting with nursing fees and shortfalls in nursing home or residential home fees we can offer financial support to full time carers of up to £500 per annum to enable them to take a holiday/break or help to pay for a carer or cleaner for a limited period, perhaps due to illness.

• We can also offer limited support towards emergency childcare, to help one- parent families who are prevented from accepting a job due to the cost of childcare, or due to illness of the main child caring parent. Support may also be given in the first month of returning to work, if returning is on reduced pay (i.e. due to returning on reduced hours).

• Home visits and ongoing telephone support where appropriate.

Please note we are willing to consider any hardship cases as we are well aware that everyone is different and has different needs at given times.

Application Forms

Click below to download PDF formatted form

General Support Form PDF
General Support Form WORD DOC

Nursing Fees Form

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Counselling

In 2010, The Theatrical Guild conducted some research to ensure the support we offer is meaningful and relevant and meets the needs of today’s theatre worker. As a result of this research, The Theatre Guild will be introducing a free counselling service for anyone working backstage or front of house in theatre in Greater London.

Counselling offers a safe, confidential space where you can talk about yourself and explore difficulties, distress, dissatisfaction with life or loss of a sense of direction and purpose.

Talking to someone about such difficulties can help you to change your life and enable you to manage difficult feelings, improve relationships with others, resolve family issues and free you from anxiety and depression.

We can offer experienced counsellors who will listen to you without passing judgement or criticism, in a safe and confidential space to help you explore your issues and difficult feelings and help you restore your confidence and self esteem.

You may have come to a crossroads in your career and/or be unsure of what to do next about a difficult problem, relationship issue, or may be experiencing problems at work. You may be experiencing bereavement or trauma. Whatever the issue, we may be able to help.

To book an initial consultation, please call The Theatrical Guild office on

0207 240 6062

Who We Help