The Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Society (The BEN), has launched a new campaign to highlight the financial support it offers industry workers.
The charity’s Glass Half Full campaign targets current and former members of the on-trade who have fallen on hard times through illness, unemployment or other factors, and would benefit from financial aid.
Established in 1864, The BEN has been providing this kind of social, financial and emotional support for over 150 years. It offers regular discretionary payments as well as one-off grants for emergency situations such as housing repairs or transport costs.
Chris Gardner, CEO of The BEN, said, “We know there are hundreds of Scots out there who are eligible for support but just don’t know it, so the campaign is a way for us to engage with them and let them know we are here to help.
“We understand the apprehension, and embarrassment, which can be caused by seeking financial support but would assure anyone considering contacting us that the application process is completely confidential and any arrangements are managed with the utmost discretion.
“We hope the Glass Half Full campaign will inspire people to either recommend our services or get in touch.”
The campaign will distribute posters encouraging workers in the licensed trade to spread the word about the fund with their colleagues and friends withing the trade. It was devised after a survey conducted by The Ben found that 27% of current licensed trade workers knew someone who was in financial hardship.
To be eligible for support, applicants must have worked in the licensed trade (incorporating bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels, wholesalers plus packaging, production and distribution firms) for at least three years on a full-time basis.
To find out more about BEN and the support it offers, please visit www.bensoc.org.uk or call 01413533596.