Charity offers a glass half full for retired staff
Former licensed trade workers are given financial aid
Perth people who have worked in the licensed trade but have fallen on hard times are being encouraged to apply for one-off grants as part of an industry charity’s‘Glass Half Full’ campaign.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Society (BEN) has helped a host of beneficiaries from throughout Perth for everything from essential monthly payments including rent, phone and fuel bills to support towards redecoration and refurbishment.
Launched last year, The Glass Half Full campaign is targeting current and former members of the licensed trade who have fallen on hard times through illness, unemployment or other factors, and would benefit from financial aid for reasons both big and small.
The charity has been providing social, financial and emotional support to members, both current and former, of the licensed trade for more than 150 years including regular discretionary payments as well as one-off grants for The Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Society (BEN) has helped a host of beneficiaries
emergency situations such as housing repairs, refurbishment or transport costs.
To be eligible for support, applicants must have worked in the licensed trade (incorporating bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels, wholesalers plus packaging, production and distribution firms) for at least three years on
a full-time basis. The three years do not need to be consecutive.
As well as encouraging potential beneficiaries to get in touch, the Glass Half Full campaign aims to engage members of the licensed trade, and general public, to help spread the word.
Chris Gardner, chief executive at any time of their life, and as our records show, this could be anything from tiding you over for a lost wallet to helping with essential payments such as rent or mortgage that allow our beneficiaries to keep a roof over their head.”
The BEN also has a network of local volunteers who are on hand to support those in the trade, including Hunter McKay.
Hunter said: “A lot of former and current workers of the licensed trade won’t know they’re eligible for support and we would encourage those in the industry or even those who know someone eligible for assistance, be that financial or emotional, to get in touch.”
Support is also provided through The BEN Pitlochry Estate, which consists of 18 bungalows, and offers accommodation for current and retired members of the licensed trade industry as well as ‘Respitality’ breaks for carers in some of the most picturesque surroundings.
To find out more about The BEN or to enquire about support, please visit www.bensoc.org.uk or call 0141 353 3596.