For David

Hello to our team of brilliant people. Happy Wednesday.

We hope you are all well this week, our nomination today is from Anna and I’m sure we all feel the stresses of being freelance and the worry of being ill.

We had to help straight away and now know it’s given David a breather for this month.

Kindness really helps.

Here’s the nomination:

David is a writer and director based in the Tees Valley. Since 2009 he has been artistic director of a theatre company which has supported and aided over 600 regional and national artists.

In 2021, David had a series of abdominal issues which resulted in the need for surgery however due to the pandemic was asked to maintain the condition and return if anything should alter. In early 2024 he had to reduce working hours and leave a role as creative producer for a charity due to the reoccurrence of this condition.

He is currently awaiting surgery but is stuck with a back-and-forth timeline, which, alongside managing the pain and discomfort on his body, has found the ability to work and apply for projects tricky with the consistent alterations to the dates planned for his surgery.

As it currently stands the expectation is that by the end of March 2025 he should have the operation but it is now major open surgery that will result in longer healing, up to 3 months.

David has had to move work around, turn down other jobs and will now need extra time to apply for new work during his recovery. This has all been incredibly stressful as he feels genuine panic about how he is going to make ends meet. Any support he might receive would be so helpful.

Thank you Anna Jordan

Ray