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Being a musician can seem like a glamorous lifestyle, but for many it鈥檚 a tough business.

The outlook for musicians in the UK continues to be challenging, with cuts in public funding for the arts and the music industry going through many changes, not least with the impact of the digital age on the record industry. For many musicians, this means that work is harder to come by.

With a largely freelance lifestyle which often involves working away from home and family, adding injury or long-term illness to the mix can be devastating.

Financial rewards are also surprisingly poor. Professional musicians are highly skilled and yet most earn very little. A 2012 survey by the Musicians鈥� Union of 2,000 musicians found that more than half earned less than 拢20,000 a year and only 35% could afford to pay towards a pension.

That鈥檚 why most have nothing to fall back on when things go wrong and that鈥檚 where Help Musicians UK steps in.

Since 1921, we鈥檝e helped thousands of musicians establish themselves in the music business, get through a serious crisis, cope with long-term difficulties and enjoy retirement.

As well as providing advice and guidance, we give financial and emotional support. For many, we are a lifeline.

When a musician has an accident, injury or illness, it can have an overwhelming impact. Last year we helped 374 musicians facing a crisis, an increase of 17% on 2013.

We always tailor our support according to the needs of each individual musician. Following assessment, we can help with financial grants to pay for medical treatment, specialist therapies and living costs.

Our aim is to step in and support before things spiral out of control, helping musicians to get back to work quickly but sometimes a long-term illness or disability makes this impossible.

Like William, 47, who enjoyed a successful career as a professional singer with the world-renowned ensemble, The Sixteen, until a brain haemorrhage left him paralysed and unable to speak. He has four children and lives with his wife Jane. We were able to cover the costs of adapting the family home to meet Williams鈥� needs.

"Help Musicians UK supported our family when my husband became seriously ill. Now he is back home with his family where he belongs for which we will always be grateful."
Jane (William鈥檚 wife), Music Teacher

We know that it鈥檚 hard to get started as a musician. Training is time-consuming and expensive and聽there鈥檚 intense competition for those all-important opportunities that open up a career. Our Talent Programme offers targeted financial support and opportunities when people need them most. Whether they are in the final stages of advanced training or in the early years of a promising career, we invest in talented young artists and help them thrive.

In 2014 we helped 650 young people either directly or through our partnerships.

鈥淲ithout the help from Help Musicians UK, I would not have been able to afford to study as a member of the Royal College of Music International Opera School; preparing me for a career in opera.鈥�聽 聽Soraya, 26, Singer

For many professional musicians, the financial rewards are not as great as the artistic rewards. All too often, musicians are unable to save for their retirement. Our work with older musicians is crucial for those who can鈥檛 afford a decent standard of living, have unexpected needs or are ill.

In 2014 we were able to improve the quality of life for 538 older musicians. Many received regular grants towards living costs, home visits and advice. Others were given help with unexpected one-off costs to help them continue to live independently.

"Help Musicians UK has helped me financially with my piano tuning, domestic help and friendly visits, never forgetting my birthday or Christmas, little kindnesses that make such a difference to my well-being." Lauretta, 92, Singer and pianist