Alex — “It’s hard to overstate how important Help Musicians was for me in that time”
When disaster struck, we were there for Alex.
Alex’s musical journey has always been rooted in the cultural necessity of preserving their Uruguayan identity as a member of the diaspora community living in the UK. Music has been a means of sustaining stories and belonging, a connection that deepened when they returned to Uruguay as an adult.
Discovering artists like Anne Briggs and Sam Lee helped spark their own songwriting journey, blending folk with themes from their activism in environmental, feminist, and Queer movements. For Alex, music has evolved into a deeply personal and political tool – reflecting identity, heritage, and contemporary struggle in the UK, while weaving together communities. In recent years, alongside launching a touring band and performing at festivals, they founded the NGO Sibling Arts to mentor emerging marginalised artists, using their music as a tool for education, activism, and healing.
Disaster struck just as their career was gaining momentum however, first with a serious knee injury, then a second one a year later, eventually leading to serious financial challenges. It was during this rock-bottom period that a friend reminded them of Help Musicians’ emergency fund. “They really were very patient, transparent, open, honest about what was possible,” Alex recalls reflecting on the application processes.
With their career, organisation, and physical mobility on hold, the emergency support they received made an enormous difference – financially, emotionally, and professionally. They were able to access specialist physiotherapy, essential for returning to both music and physical performance, and begin recovering.
“There was a real sense of regular follow up and check-in to see how I was doing. It’s really hard to overstate how important Help Musicians was for me in that time.”
What stood out most was the care and consistency Help Musicians offered throughout the recovery journey. The support went beyond financial aid – it was a sustained, human connection that helped Alex rebuild their confidence and capacity. “There was a real sense of regular follow up and check-in to see how I was doing,” they note. Help Musicians didn’t just offer practical help but also a sense of belonging and belief. “It’s really hard to overstate how important Help Musicians was for me in that time,” they say, describing the impact of receiving care in an industry where freelancers often struggle to be seen or be supported in times of crisis.
Through Music Minds Matter, Alex was also able to access the help of a therapist during one of the darkest periods of their life. Working with their therapist was a deeply affirming and grounding experience for Alex. They not only identified as Queer themselves, but also had first-hand experience in the music industry, creating an immediate sense of understanding and relatability.
During an overwhelming period of recovery, loss of mobility, and professional upheaval, they offered a consistent space for catharsis, “to just express the levels of frustration that build up in your body when you can’t move… when you lose your career.” Amid the chaos of “debt and all the shame that comes out of those moments,” they remained a steady presence, keeping Alex anchored in the day-to-day and supporting them through both emotional and practical challenges. “I’m very grateful to them, they were very effective at keeping me on track.”
Receiving vital support from Help Musicians and Music Minds Matter following both of their knee injuries, Alex has been through a physical and emotional recovery that has reignited their determination to pursue music.
Their most recent record – supported financially by Help Musicians – is a 10-track album featuring 60 singers and the Fire Choir, designed for public use in campaigns, and community events. The process of rebuilding, both physically (now back to climbing, biking, and playing Ultimate Frisbee) and creatively, has been deeply healing for Alex, culminating in a four-star review from Songlines for their debut album.
Their recent experience has also reshaped their approach to the music industry – leading them to think more strategically about their offerings, how to sustain a freelance career, and what truly resonates with audiences and promoters, a clarity that came “from the kind of questions that you ask yourself when you really hit a rut.”