A lifeline for more people in 2007
The LTC is assisting more people than ever and can make a real difference to the quality of life of those who seek help
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) is seeing a rise in the number of people asking for help when their career is cut short, or who are struggling and have nowhere else to turn.
The LTC helps:
• People working in or retired from the
licensed drinks trade
• People responsible for the production,
supply or the delivery of alcohol
The variety of help that the LTC provides includes housing nominations. Through an arrangement with Anchor Housing, the LTC has nomination rights to accommodation across the country (nomination rights provide the opportunity for anyone over 55 years of age to be treated as a priority on their waiting list).
The LTC can also assist with essential living expenses when people need immediate
assistance.
Compared to the same period last year, the LTC has seen an increase of 35% in the number of applications for assistance. Help offered includes one-off grants made for a wide range of items, including central-heating repairs, shower adaptations and disability aids.
Barry Randall, formerly a drayman at Gibbs Mews, a Salisbury-based pub operator and brewer, worked in the industry for over 20 years and approached the LTC through Mobility Trust, a charity that provides funding for and develops special vehicles for those with disabilities.
Randall suffers from multiple sclerosis and is completely dependent on a powered wheelchair to do his shopping, attend his day centre and help out as a volunteer for a local charity.
After much use of his existing wheelchair, Randall needed a replacement, but was un-able to fund a new one. Without the chair, Randall would have lost his lifeline to independence and could have become isolated from his social activities.
Mobility Trust recommended that he required a bespoke, specialised, outdoor powered wheelchair to meet his needs. The LTC awarded Randall £1,500 towards the cost of such a wheelchair.
"That was a great help to me," said Randall. "I can now maintain my independence and still go out on my own, thanks to the LTC."
