Hospitality Action has been a leading source of vital support to people in the hospitality industry since its foundation in 1837. This year’s Hospitality Action Week – which took place from 13-19th May – enjoyed great success, with over £10,000 raised for worthy causes. Hospitality Action’s chief executive, Penny Moore, sheds light on the charity and the people it helps …
Hospitality Action is the industry charity offering a crucial lifeline to people of all ages – working and retired. Whether approached by a chef, chambermaid, waiter or kitchen porter, Hospitality Action will endeavour to support, whatever the difficulty.
Sometimes all it takes is a very small change in circumstances to tip the balance and turn a manageable situation into an unmanageable one. An extended illness, such as cancer, can lead to a drop in pay, while other circumstances such as a relationship breakdown, bereavement or redundancy can also put a strain on the household budget.
Last year, Hospitality Action helped 1584 industry members across the UK who found themselves in crisis. Whether they were suffering from illness, addiction, poverty, bereavement or domestic violence, the charity lent its support.
As the figures detailed in the featured graphs suggest, applications for assistance remain high. In these tough financial times, more people than ever need Hospitality Action’s support. People just like John Lowe, who worked in the industry for more than 26 years.
Sadly, due to seriously ailing health and epileptic seizures, John was forced to give up work. With a meagre monthly income and no way of paying his bills, the situation became so desperate that John would often go without food and gas.
John’s home was also left in a severe state of disrepair after a well-meaning friend had attempted some vital home improvements. Living in dire surroundings, things worsened when, during the icy weather, John fell over and suffered substantial facial injuries. John also broke his glasses in the fall but could not afford to have them fixed.
It was at this point that John turned to Hospitality Action, which was able to provide him with a grant for essential household items, plus two new pairs of glasses. The grant also went towards food, which enabled John to put on some of the weight he had lost.
Fortunately, John’s story has a happy ending, and he is now back in work. John says: “It is so good to be back in employment. I have always maintained that the hospitality industry is a family – Hospitality Action, you have changed my life, not only for the short-term, but for always.”
Hospitality Action receives no Government funding, and is dependent on individuals and corporate bodies from within the industry. To find out more about Hospitality Action and how the charity makes a difference to the lives of hospitality industry workers – and to make a donation – readers should visit the website.
