Licensed Trade Charity gives £3.3m to hospitality

Non-profit organisation the Licensed Trade Charity has supported more than 120,000 people since the start of Covid-19, providing £3.3 million (US$4.45m) worth of grants and services.

The Licensed Trade Charity aims to support workers in the drinks trade. The group’s results for the year 2021 revealed the mental health impacts on hospitality workers.

Last year, the charity supported more than 46,000 people and awarded £1.7m (US$2.3m) in financial grants and services.

Paula Smith, head of marketing for the charity, said: “Through our helpline, we offer practical guidance from information specialists and emotional support from qualified counsellors.

“In the past, practical guidance made up around 60% of the support requests we received. We have seen that switch with almost 70% of calls during 2021 for emotional support and counselling.

“We know from our own on-trade research, carried out by Kam Media in November 2021, that people across the sector have found it more challenging to maintain good mental wellbeing during the last 12 months. Forty-five percent of respondents said that their mental health had been negatively impacted since the start of Covid-19.”

The Licensed Trade Charity’s findings showed the biggest factors affecting wellbeing in the trade were reduced income, increased pressure due to staff shortages, and uncertainty about job security.

“Sadly, over one in three (33%) on-trade respondents have (or know a colleague who has) experienced a mental health issue,” Smith added.

“Licensed hospitality people are a resilient bunch and, despite the struggles for many, 61% of respondents highlighted that keeping in regular contact with colleagues, friends and family had positively impacted their mental wellbeing.

“One in five said that increasing their physical activity and taking part in mindfulness activities also had a positive impact.”

In November, the group launched a free app to give users direct access to support, such as guidance from specialist and counsellors, financial support and grants. Free mental health training for managers, supervisors and team leaders is also available on the app.

The charity’s free helpline, which provides emotional support and counselling, reported a 40% increase over the year, in comparison to 2020. The telephone counselling is part of a free core support service, set up in response to the rise in awareness of mental health issues.

Licensed Trade Charity CEO Jim Brewster added: “I am proud of the range of services we offer the licensed trade and the fact that it is all delivered without cost to operators or individuals.

“Our team deliver a fantastic, professional service. They understand what our industry needs and adapt our range of support to meet those needs”.

To find out more about the Licensed Trade Charity or to donate, visit www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk or call its free telephone line 0808 801 0550.

Last year, the trade body teamed up with Hospitality Action and other leading associations to launch national Hospitality Day.

In October 2021, The Spirits Business investigated how the spirits trade is prioritising mental health, following the fallout from the pandemic.