Looking for lifeline volunteers

The Licensed Trade Charity continues to provide support for those who need it and is constantly on the lookout for volunteer visitors

The Licensed Trade Charity's (LTC's) volunteer visitor programme is going from strength to strength. There has been an increase of 100% in planned visits this year, thanks to newly-trained volunteers coming on board and support recently acquired from Punch Taverns to the tune of £12,100, which will cover the expense of the programme until August 2008.

So what's involved in being a volunteer? How can they help those in the trade facing challenging times?

There are currently 14 volunteer visitors who cover England, including the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the north-west, the north, the Home Counties, and the east and southeast. They visit those facing difficult times to see how and if the LTC can help them.

People in desperate need

Shirley Gill is one of the 14 volunteer visitors and has been connected with the LTC for more than 25 years. As well as being a visitor, Shirley is a member of the LTC's welfare & housing committee, a fund-

raiser in the London and Home Counties region and sits on the board of trustees. 

"I find all of my roles very fulfilling, but would have to say that my greatest satisfaction comes from serving as a volunteer visitor", says Shirley. "It enables me to meet people who are in desperate need, and it is reassuring to know that, in some way, I am part of the process that may see them get help.

"What has been heartening is that it's good to know that there is an organisation such as the LTC that is dedicated to helping anyone who is working or has worked in the licensed drinks trade when they have nowhere to turn.

"On every visit I have been readily received and everyone has been very welcoming and friendly. I really enjoy volunteering and would urge anyone who has thought about volunteering to get out there and do it.

"The LTC ensures that every visitor is trained in order to carry out this role. It really is a very thorough and professional process, which is carried out over two days. Even then you are not on your own as the welfare team is always available to answer any questions and offer support when needed."

Reduction in mobility

One of the many people that Shirley has visited in her capacity as volunteer visitor is Albert Howarth, who was a licensee for more than

19 years.

Albert is 89 and contacted the LTC as a result of a fall when he sustained a broken hip and a fractured femur. The accident considerably reduced his mobility.

Prior to his fall, Albert enjoyed walking to his local recreation ground where he would watch his favourite sport, but as a result of the accident he felt that his quality of life had been dramatically reduced.

Albert lives in a two-bedroom house and was finding it increasingly difficult to climb the stairs due to his mobility problems. He contacted the LTC to see if they could assist him in installing a stair lift, enabling him to use the upper part of his home so that he could get a good night's sleep.

By visiting Albert, Shirley was able to assess his situation and recommend the most appropriate help. The LTC awarded £450 towards the cost of a stair lift as well as a regular allowance to help pay essential bills.

"The programme has become a lifeline to many who call on us for help," says Suzannah Stoddart, welfare manager at the LTC and co-ordinator of the volunteer visitor programme.

"Unfortunately many people only turn to us as a last resort, but we are endeavouring to address this by raising the profile of the charity through various initiatives to ensure that we are the first port of call.

"The feedback from those visited has been very positive. Our visitors provide a listening ear to beneficiaries who are often quite lonely. The role of the volunteer has proved invaluable to the welfare team as we mainly speak with people over the phone, so it is sometimes difficult to grasp the full picture of someone's situation.

"For example, many people are too proud to ask for help and the visitor has been able to give us a true account of their home circumstances as well as drawing more information from simply chatting to them. More often than not, this has identified additional needs."

Visiting beneficiaries

Jim Brewster, chief executive of the LTC, spent some time visiting beneficiaries. "I recently spent two days with two of the charity's volunteer visitors, who give so much time to supporting the beneficiaries," he explains. "One of the many people that I met was a gentleman whose pub had recently been flooded. The licensee and his team had just got on with trying to recover from the devastation caused by the flooding last summer.

"I was amazed at the impact the flood had had on his pub. We were able to offer short-term support such as awarding funding towards essential living expenses to ease some of the pressure."

He continues: "This is where our visitors can, and do, play such an important role. Attending the welfare and housing meetings, it has become more apparent what a very rewarding and useful role they play. It's both rewarding for the visitors themselves and useful in helping the welfare committee make the right decisions.

"The link between beneficiaries and the charity is vital to ensuring that the support we give is relevant and tailored to suit the needs of the individual recipients."

The LTC is looking for more volunteers

to help visit as many of those who contact

the LTC as possible. Please contact us if

you, or anyone you know, has eight hours

a month they can give to this very worthwhile cause in the following areas: the north-east, north-west, West Midlands, North Wales

and borders and South Wales. If you would like more information on the volunteer

visitor programme or how you can help, please contact the welfare department on 01344 898550.

Working with pubwatches

The LTC is currently working with pubwatches around the country to ensure that those who are in need of help are aware of the charity. With licensees actively involved in pubwatches, as well

as those who work closely with them, the LTC is encouraging pubwatches to get in touch, so that a representative of the charity can attend meetings.

Steve Baker, chairman of National Pubwatch, says: "We are delighted to be working with the LTC in order to spread the message of how the organisation can be of assistance to licensees who are facing challenging times.

"By working closely with the charity's representatives and pubwatches, I'm sure that we'll help communicate the good work of the LTC and continue to raise awareness of the organisation - something that we are more than happy to do!"

If you are a pubwatch member and would like more information on the LTC, please call Kelly Gibson on 01344 884440.