I am Simonetta, a Slovak creative living in London. I’m an actor, painter, writer, and passionate mental health advocate. My project, Health is a Privilege (HIAP), was born from personal pain - physical and emotional - and a deep desire to make invisible struggles visible.
This is more than just a play. It’s a movement. A conversation. A space for connection and understanding. With your support, it can grow into something life-changing, as this project is something that I wish I had seen when I was struggling the most.
Health is a Privilege began as a deeply personal short film — a creative response to physical and emotional pain I couldn’t explain in words. After winning an award at the Warwick Film Festival, something unexpected happened:
People started reaching out.
They shared their own stories of invisible struggles, unspoken trauma, and the desperate need to be seen. The film opened a door — and behind it was a community I hadn’t realized was waiting.
That’s when I knew it couldn’t end there. I chose to expand it into a full-length stage play — something live, raw, and collective. A space where people can feel witnessed, not just entertained.
MONEY TALK
We’ve got the script, the music, and the passion to put on a powerful performance that can change perspectives. But none of that matters if we can’t afford a stage to tell this story on.
We’re aiming to raise £2,500, and we are also applying for additional funding from the Arts Council England. The chances of receiving these funds improve significantly if we demonstrate existing community support and contributions.
To spread the word about the play, we’ll print and distribute flyers as well as advertise on Meta platforms, ensuring we reach a broad audience.
The majority of donations will go toward hiring the theatre space (40%), followed by crew costs plus production (25%), with the remaining budget equally divided between props, marketing, and accessibility (each 11.7%).
*We promise full transparency. Please reach out if you’d like to review our cash flow details.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Any financial help is greatly appreciated. Sharing this campaign and telling people about the project is essential to reach people who need it the most.
If you donate and would like your name to be mentioned in the theatre play credits, on the website, and social media, we will gladly include you. The more, the merrier!
RISKS AND CHALLENGES
1. Production Delays:
Risk: Production delays could occur due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness among the cast or crew, technical issues, or logistical setbacks.
Mitigation: We have built extra time into our production schedule to accommodate unexpected delays.
2. Venue Availability and Scheduling Conflicts:
Risk: Coordinating the availability of different venues can be challenging, especially if there are scheduling conflicts or last-minute changes.
Mitigation: We will have secured primary and backup venue options for all scheduled performances. Our team is also in continuous communication with venue managers to promptly address any potential conflicts.
3. Budget Constraints:
Risk: Staying within budget is always a challenge.
Mitigation: Our budget includes a contingency fund expressly set aside for unforeseen expenses. We also have detailed, itemised cost projections and regular financial reviews to monitor spending and adjust plans as necessary.
4. Audience Engagement and Ticket Sales:
Risk: There is a risk that ticket sales may not meet expectations, which could impact the financial viability of performances.
Mitigation: We have a comprehensive marketing plan that includes early ticket promotions, partnerships with theatres and mental health charities, and also social media campaigns to build interest and engagement. Our pricing strategy also includes various ticket options to appeal to a wide audience range.
5. Health and Safety Concerns:
Risk: Health and safety issues, including those related to ongoing public health concerns, could affect production.
Mitigation: We are committed to adhering to all local health guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety of our audience, cast, and crew. This includes potential measures like health screenings, sanitation procedures, and flexible ticketing policies to accommodate last-minute changes.