LTC support line helps thousands in its first year
The charity has released figures showing the rapid success of its website and helpline, which provide advice and support on a range of personal and family issues.
The figures show that in its first 12 months www.supportandcare.org was used by more than 4,000 people while the helpline (0808 801 0550) had 400 calls. The service also helped more than 660 people with grants for areas such as hardship and housing totalling £447,000.
Its format and positioning has seen pub groups and brewers, including Greene King, Mitchells & Butlers, Heineken and Spirit, promoting the services to both employees and business partners.
Liz Gaffer, the director of marketing and charity services at the LTC, said: “We introduced these new services on the back of research and a better understanding of the industry’s needs. Over the past 12 months we have been working closer than ever with the trade to enable employers - from individual licensees to large pub operators - to tap into what is a 24-hour HR support tool.
High value
“In just one year Support & Care has become a highly valued service and one that is helping and supporting people across the trade. Almost every HR director we’ve talked to about our support services has seen what we offer as a real addition to the support they already provide, either as an employer or business partner.”
Mitchells & Butlers’ head of employee relations Caroline Davies has promoted Support & Care’s new services and describes them as enhancing the company’s support offered to employees.
She said: “These services are tailored specifically for the licensed trade, allowing anyone in need to get straight to the advice they need, when they need it.
“At the end of the day, we are a people business and focusing on our people is a number one priority. The fact that it’s free is a huge benefit too as there are costs associated with our employee assistance programme, and so it’s good to be able to enhance what we are already doing without increasing our costs.”
Support & Care’s website includes an easy-to-use search function that provides practical advice in 22 areas, from dealing with flooding, to coping with financial problems, depression and relationship break-ups. Those who need more information, or who would rather speak to someone in person, are able to call the helpline, which is available 12 hours a day.
Gaffer added: “Employers can’t always know what’s going on in their employees’ lives, and whether you are a licensee or HR director of a large group, being able to promote Support & Care services provides a helpline to people in confidence. No matter how fit and able somebody is, sometimes the unexpected happens, and if it does, we are here to support and help get them back on track.”
