We are here

for professional actors and stage managers who are in need due to illness, injury, or old age.

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In 1882

the Actors’ Benevolent Fund was founded by the great actor-manager Sir Henry Irving and a group of his friends.

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HRH The Prince of Wales

has been the ABF's patron since 2000. Dame Penelope Keith, DBE, DL, has been the ABF's president since 1990.

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News

17.Mar.2020

ABF notice regarding Covid-19

 

The Actors’ Benevolent Fund is receiving a great many requests for help linked to Covid-19. We are a small organisation and aim to respond to enquiries as quickly as possible, but please be patient awaiting a response.

 

The ABF is considering applications from professional actors, actresses and stage managers who have contracted Covid-19, or are self-isolating because they are unwell, once the applicant has applied for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance. We are unable to consider applications from individuals yet to apply for either of these benefits, nor can we consider helping if the applicant is not unwell.

Please think carefully before you apply. With so many people asking for help we have to take difficult decisions about the support we can provide. It may be the case that even if you meet the ABF’s eligibility criteria, we may not be able to offer you any support. If that is the case, we will signpost you towards other organisations that might be able to help.

If you have any questions, please call the office on 020 7836 6378.

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Archive

Invitation to the first annual dinner

Annual dinners were held to raise money for the ABF, and to report back on the activities of the charity over the previous year.

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Shop

Angel at the Crib by Victoria Threlfall

Pack of 10 cards £4.00. Message inside reads "Happy Christmas"

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The Actors’ Benevolent Fund is receiving a great many requests for help linked to coronavirus. We are a small organisation and aim to respond to enquiries as quickly as possible, but please be patient awaiting a response. Our office in central London is closed, but ABF staff are working remotely to try to help those who need us.

The ABF is considering applications from professional actors, actresses and stage managers who have contracted Covid-19, or are self-isolating because they are unwell, once the applicant has applied for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance (or if they are already in receipt of any benefits). We cannot consider applications from individuals yet to apply for benefits, nor can we consider helping if the applicant is not unwell.

Please think carefully before you apply, and check that you are eligible to apply. With so many people asking for help we have to take difficult decisions about the support we can provide. It may be the case that even if you meet the ABF’s eligibility criteria, we may not be able to offer you any support. If that is the case, we will signpost you towards other organisations that might be able to help.

If you have any questions, please call us on 020 7836 6378.