Who we are.
Behind their smiles and slick service hospitality workers can fall upon hard times just like anybody else. Ours is a stressful industry, with long hours, high pressure environments and physically demanding work.
Injuries, mental health problems and addiction are sadly a feature of modern life in the hospitality trade. That’s where Hospitality Action steps in. We provide hospitality workers with financial, physical and psychological support to help them overcome adversity and get back to work as quickly as possible through the following initiatives:
Grants
We provide grants to help people make ends meet. Support ranges from everyday essentials such as help with utility bills, replacing white goods, school uniform and general living costs, to supporting those who are living with an illness or disability or those experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. Our financial assistance helps beneficiaries through the toughest of times.
Employee care
Our bespoke Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a care package that provides peace of mind to employers and a range of specialist, independent and confidential support services to employees. The EAP assistance line is available to employees 24/7 every day.
Counselling support
We provide specialist support services help hospitality people tackle complex issues like addiction, financial difficulties, relationship breakdown, bereavement or mental health problems. Counselling services are mainly available to people protected by our EAP programme who meet the clinical criteria. In some cases, counselling is also offered to beneficiaries in our grants programme.
Training
From on-site trauma support to mental health awareness, and from support re: addictive behaviours to financial wellness, we offer a range of training courses that help people and businesses stay happy, healthy and productive. Golden Friends For industry retirees, our Golden Friends scheme keeps loneliness and isolation at bay by providing a telephone befriending service, a quarterly newsletter, a 24/7 helpline and cards for Christmas and birthdays.
Our Impact throughout the pandemic.
2020 was a devasting year for the UK hospitality sector. Thousands of wellknown and local independent businesses ceased trading and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. Beyond the economic impact of the pandemic, its effect on mental wellbeing has also been profound. We were one of the first grant-making charities in the UK to react to the pandemic, and quickly deployed a range of emergency measures including financial assistance, outreach and increased mental health service provision. As the situation evolves we continue to adapt our offering and provide innovative, timely and practical ways to support the industry we serve. In 2020 we spent £1.33m and awarded 4,698 grants, compared with £733k on 2,282 grants in 2019. This is an 81% increase on funds spent and the most the charity has ever spent in a calendar year, with a 106% increase in households supported.
Here are some touching words from just a handful of hospitality people we’ve been able to support in recent times: “Thank you so much, I received your grant just when I was really struggling. I had £2 in my bank with gas and electric about to be cut off at 10am and barely any food in the fridge. I can’t thank you enough.” “Thank you so much for the help you’ve provided me and my children with during these difficult times. I’ve been quite stressed and down trying to make ends meet but receiving your support has lifted some weight off my shoulders and has helped me and my children so much. Thank you.” “I’ve worked in hospitality since I was 16 and I’ve always loved it. I’ve been furloughed and un-furloughed numerous times over the past year which has had
a huge impact. Being a single parent, you’ve helped me to get back on top of my bills. Thank you so much for all your help.”
How to get involved.
We receive no government funding and rely on the fundraising and good will of the industry and wider population to support our charitable endeavours. From becoming a regular donor to taking part in a challenge event we love it when people go the extra mile on our behalf. Broadly our fundraising falls into two main categories:
Customer engagement.
Whether it’s adding Invisible Chips to your menu or perhaps a discretionary £1 to diners’ bills, making a special product in our honour or running a competition, raffle or event to show your support to the industry you serve. Encouraging your customers to support us as part of their interaction with your brand is incredibly valuable to us, both in terms of raising lots of money, but also helping raise awareness of what we do.
Team fundraising & corporate giving.
Fundraising for Hospitality Action helps bring your team closer to each other and
the industry they value. It can also help you further your wellness agenda. Challenge events, staff bake sales, team fundraisers and matched giving are all amazing ways to engage your team and community of suppliers and advocates.
To find out more about our work and the difference we make please visit: www.hospitalityaction.org.uk
