ISM members are able to access a range of services to support their health and wellbeing through our sister charity, the ISM Members Fund. Over the coming year we will be expanding the range of services on offer to provide greater support in the areas of health and welfare as part of ISM membership.

ISM members should note that all of these services are still available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW: Physiotherapy service

The ISM Members Fund’s new physiotherapy service is in partnership with Physio Med and is the first of its kind offered on this scale in the music sector. It is open to full, early career, student and retired ISM members.

Members will have free access to advice and face-to-face intervention via the award-winning Physiotherapy Advice Line (PAL), which allows ISM members to get quick, expert intervention for muscle and joint problems directly from a senior chartered physiotherapist. The treatment as part of the service will include both self-management, which includes a detailed treatment plan of exercises to undertake at home; and face-to-face sessions at a physiotherapy practice close to home. Find out how you can access the service.

Members should note that face-to-face physiotherapy treatment is still available during the lockdown in England.

Face-to-face counselling and CBT

In response to our members' feedback, we have launched a new face-to-face counselling service. The service, operated by Health Assured, is completely confidential and includes telephone counselling, face-to-face counselling (up to six sessions) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

To access the service, you must first contact our 24-hour personal support and advice line. You will then speak to an adviser who will set up a telephone assessment with a counsellor. Once you have been matched with a qualified counsellor and completed a short assessment, your counsellor will give you the option of telephone counselling, face-to-face counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

As part of the pilot phase, we will be asking members to complete an online, anonymous questionnaire. The service is completely confidential and ISM will not know who has accessed the service – however if you wish to discuss your survey answers with us, you are able to provide your email address.

Members should note that these counselling and CBT sessions are currently delivered online.

24-hour personal support and advice helpline

Our members have access to a free 24-hour personal support and advice helpline staffed by professionally qualified counsellors who are able to provide confidential support and advice on everything from bereavement and relationships to work-related stress and mental health. If further support is needed, you can arrange six sessions of structured telephone counselling or ask the helpline about face-to-face counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Support our work

We are always grateful for donations to support the Fund’s work and enable us to develop new services to help musicians. You can donate to the Fund with Virgin Money Giving.