成人论坛

COVID-19 updates for Freelancers

Important information on the 成人论坛's response to the Coronavirus pandemic and what it means for Freelancers.

Updated: 3 November 2023

Information on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is changing regularly, it鈥檚 important to stay up to date with the latest 成人论坛 updates. You can stay up to date with the latest information on the 成人论坛 Safety site, or via our 159 channel.

If you are feeling unwell and are displaying symptoms, please self-isolate and follow Government and NHS advice.

We recognise that this is a difficult time and appreciate everything you are continuing to do to support each other and our audiences. If you have a question, please call our dedicated Coronavirus Helpline on 0477 (internal), 0370 024 3477 (external).

Risk based approach to "living with COVID"

成人论坛 Safety instructions are:

  • To follow government issued public health advice and
  • Continue to take a risk based approach to managing COVID in the workplace

See "Living with COVID and managing risks in the workplace" guidance.

Wellbeing 

There鈥檚 always hope and help if you鈥檙e struggling.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Remote GP 

PAYE freelancers can also now access the 成人论坛鈥檚 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - provided by Carefirst - and services. Please note these services are only open to PAYE freelancers who joined the 成人论坛 before 28 February.

These confidential services offer a range of support, including telephone advice and counselling sessions, which we hope will be of benefit to you.

  • EAP - if you're based in the UK call: 0800 042 0140, if you're based outside the UK call: 0044 1452 372 435

Email: bbcinternationaleap@care-first.co.uk - You can request an immediate call back.

OR:

Access the using the login credentials:

Username: 成人论坛

Password: EAP

  • - to book an appointment with a GP 24/7 call: 0345 222 3735 or

成人论坛 Financial Assistance Fund

The 成人论坛 Financial Assistance Fund (previously known as the 成人论坛 Benevolent Fund) is is funded by the 成人论坛 to provide support for current and former employees as well as their dependants at times of unexpected financial hardship. Grants are made at the discretion of the Trustees. Call 029 2032 2811 for more details.

Grace Wyndham Goldie (成人论坛) Trust Fund

A registered charity which provides small grants towards the cost of education or hardship. The Trustees are responsible for . The deadline for applications is 31 July each year. They meet during September and grants are awarded following that meeting.     

Financial Wellbeing

Managing your finances positively and proactively can improve your wellbeing. The information on can help make your money go further.   

Online Resources 

  • : expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
  • : advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Support for family and friends

Below is a list of support measures offered by DWP which might be useful for family and friends who may be finding it difficult financially during this current time.

成人论坛 COVID-19 Hardship Fund

Specific FAQS for Sole Traders and PAYE Freelancers (UK) outlining support for those engaged by 成人论坛 Public Service who are impacted by COVID-19.

The 成人论坛 Public Service is funded by the licence fee and is the agreed constitutional basis for governance of 成人论坛. The licence fee allows the 成人论坛, as the national broadcasters, to provide a wide range of TV, radio and online content across multiple platforms independent of shareholder interests. 成人论坛 Children’s, Sport, News, Current Affairs, Radio and Education and Nations & Regions are all part of the 成人论坛 Public Service. This is distinct from the 成人论坛’s commercial subsidiaries – 成人论坛 Studios, 成人论坛 Global News and 成人论坛 Studioworks - which generate their own income.

In the first instance contact your booker/hiring manager. If they cannot provide you with the information then Contact Us and we will confirm if you were engaged by the Public Service or the commercial divisions.

We know this is going to be a difficult time for our industry, particularly for freelancers who will be hit by the closure of productions across the UK. We understand a number of our PAYE and Sole Trader Freelancers are suffering hardship as a result of having less opportunity to work and lack of opportunity to access other forms of support in these unprecedented times. In response to the current market conditions the 成人论坛 has established a Hardship Fund.

This fund has been set up with the purpose of supporting those who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of cancellation of work and loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic . It is open for PAYE Freelancers engaged by Public Service and Gross Paid Freelancers (Sole Traders) who have access to the SEISS scheme.

We understand these groups are experiencing the most hardship as they either may not be eligible for Government Schemes or are delayed as the Scheme is not open (SEISS) and this is to provide some support during lock down.

PAYE Freelancers engaged by Public Service you can request an average 12 months of engagement fee with the 成人论坛 each for the months of April & May – capped at £1,000 per month. For Gross Paid Freelancers (Sole Traders) if you are eligible for the SIESS you can request a one off payment of £1,000.

This is a loan. All payments from the fund will either be recovered via future engagements or through a payment plan which we will agree with you.

For PAYE Freelancers who are eligible we will seek to recover the loan over a repayment period of 12 months. For Gross Paid Freelancers (Sole Traders) who are eligible we will seek to recover the loan over a repayment period of 3 months, as the SEISS scheme will open in June for you to access government support.

No. We have developed eligibility criteria which include engagement history with the 成人论坛, right to work and evidence of hardship and not being Furloughed by our commercial subsidiaries. A central team will review each application and ensure that eligibility criteria are met.

This is a time limited fund and will be open for application until 31st May.

Yes in principle you can, if you meet the eligibility criteria, though please note one of the eligibility criteria is that you are not currently furloughed by our commercial entities.

Please find the application form

Once we acknowledge receipt of your application we will aim to have your outcome to you in 5 working days.

Payment will be made to the bank details we hold on record within 5 working days of approval.

成人论坛 COVID-19 Hardship Fund Privacy Notice

The 成人论坛 COVID-19 Hardship Fund Privacy Notice can be found here.

Support for Freelancers contracted by 成人论坛 Studios

  • Further information on specific support for Freelancers working in 成人论坛 Studios during the pandemic, as well as FAQ's can be found here
  • Further information for 成人论坛 Studios freelancers who are on Furlough, as well as FAQ's can be found here.

COVID-19 Terms

Updated COVID-19 terms apply to freelancers in the 成人论坛. The special terms are contained in the document below. By agreeing to your booking with the 成人论坛, you are accepting these additional terms to apply to your booking.

For English see .

For Welsh see .

You may also find useful

  • Pay (Gross)

    Everything you will need to know about how you are paid (Gross paid Freelancers - Modus Gross / Service Company / Self Employed).
  • Pay (PAYE)

    Everything you will need to know about how you are paid (PAYE Freelancers).
  • Expenses

    Important information on how to claim your expenses.
  • Contact Us

    Get in touch with our specialist team with any queries or issues you may have.

Rebuild Page

The page will automatically reload. You may need to reload again if the build takes longer than expected.

Useful links

Theme toggler

Select a theme and theme mode and click "Load theme" to load in your theme combination.

Theme:
Theme Mode: