One of the things that we are bringing in after the pandemic, is the access rider. We don't call it that - most venues in the area, we have found, have not heard of these, so we have kept the wording simple. 

It is still considered unusual, in the grand scheme of things, for there to be disabled actors and/ or crew; and quite obviously, you cannot expect every person to know how a condition or disability may affect someone - with the results of flashing lights used by venue staff when an actor in our tour had epilepsy, or sensory things set off with no warning to the autistic cast/ crew members.  

In other parts of the UK, therefore, access riders are becoming a useful document to provide to venues ahead of the tour, which provides the venue staff with the relevant information ahead of time. 

For us, we state what role the person is, in the show (eg, actor, technician, etc); what the conditions are, how they affect someone, the other people in the production team who are able to assist them, and any other information, which might be like the location of specific medication, or if they need a quiet space, etc.  
​We have a simple Word document template now, that we fill out for each show. 

NOTE - Please check with your cast and crew that any information is supplied to venues, with their permission; in line with Data Protection laws, and that the venue is registered with GDPR in turn. 

These are not theatre - based necessarily, but may be local sources of assistance in Torbay for those experiencing hardship. Many of us are limited in what we can do due to low incomes / non-conventional housing situations, but this is what we can help with, and signpost to.  

Please let us know if any application etc, requires a reference or confirmation from us

In-house:
As always at this time actors and crew with us are most welcome to fill up extra thermoses with hot drinks at rehearsals, and charge additional devices/ power packs at rehearsals. 

Any members of the cast and crew who require assistance obtaining menstrual sanitary items, please speak to Laura (theatre company founder) for confidential assistance from the supply we keep at the rehearsal hall. 

Local Assistance:
The Household Support Fund is for residents of Torbay; The maximum award Torbay Council can provide is £50 towards food and for those applicants who are liable to pay energy costs, another £50 towards those costs (£100 in total).
The Torbay Community Helpline signposts local people to assistance with food banks around Torbay, benefits advice & applications, housing, domestic violence, etc. 
​Yes Brixham  run a free foodbank for which you do not need a referral, and a warm heated communal space where you can sit in the warm, use internet, etc. 

Wider assistance 
Equity Benevolent Fund supports members of the actors & creatives trade union who need one off help with financial hardship. 
Acting for Others - Provides financial and emotional support to theatre workers in times of need through their 14 member charities
British Association for Performing Arts Medicine  - Provides medical advice to people working and studying in the performing arts, helping you overcome work-related health problem
The Actors’ Children's Trust - Awards childcare grants and education support to help working actors cover the costs of their child’s care and education
Dance Professionals Fund - Provides financial grants to dance professionals of all ages facing illness or injury and can support everyday living costs or with crisis funding
The Grand Order of Water Rats - A fund that helps performers and their dependents who, because of old age or disability are unable to work. 
The Royal Theatrical Fund - Support for people who have worked, or work, in the theatrical profession and are in need as a result of illness, accident or old age. They provide grants, assist with shortfalls in nursing and residential homes fees, give advice about benefits and debt
The Theatrical Guild - Practical help at any stage of your career – from welfare and debt advice to financial support and counselling