Make a difference to musicians this Christmas
Liam Hennessy, Head of Health and Welfare, explains the need to support musicians this winter
In 2016, when I was 26, I was diagnosed with leukaemia. Then, in 2022, I was diagnosed with cancer in my neck. With everything that life has thrown at me in recent years, it has been incredible to rely on Help Musicians’ support. They have given me space and freedom to recover as much as I can from the illness and sustain my career.
Winter is often full of music that brings us so much joy and connection, but the musicians who create these moments for us can find themselves facing difficult times in their career, where they may find themselves unable to keep making music.
The Musicians’ Census, research we carried out in 2023, revealed that a musician’s average annual income for work is £20,700 but nearly half earn under £14,000, meaning any loss of income can have a devastating impact.
At Help Musicians, the Health and Welfare team is here to support musicians facing crisis and prevent their problem from being a barrier to pursuing a music career.
One of the things I find so rewarding about working in the Health and Welfare team is the fact that we can respond to such a varied range of applications for support. This is particularly true at Christmas time, when for many people money is tighter. One musician our team has provided essential support to is Graham.
Donating to Help Musicians means we can provide people like Graham with the support they need, whether it be financial support for medical treatment or help to meet short-term living needs.