Hospitality charity launches NI employee support scheme

Hospitality charity launches NI employee support scheme

UK drinks industry, The Benevolent, has launched a support programme for employees of the drinks industry in Northern Ireland.

The scheme – launched in Belfast on Friday – will offer practical, financial and emotional support to those in need.

The charity presented its new mental health awareness campaign, #NotAlone, during a gathering at the Europa hotel.

Chris Porter, chief executive of The Benevolent, said that mental health issues could affect anyone at any time and that the new campaign was aimed at helping those that were impacted by letting them know that they are not alone:

“The campaign spearheads our existing work as we begin this New Year, which will see The Benevolent offering an even greater level of support to those in our industry who are currently suffering real hardship and difficulty in their lives,” he added.

Colin Neill of trade body, Hospitality Ulster, added: “It’s fantastic that The Benevolent has now extend their range of support within Northern Ireland, and I am keen to ensure that everyone working within the drinks industry is aware that the charity is there to help them and their families.”

Founded in 1886, with the vision of a world without medical, financial or personal hardship for colleagues in the drinks industry, The Benevolent now helps to support any current or former employees of the UK drinks industry and their families who may be facing a variety of difficult circumstances including serious illness, disability and mental health issues.

Last year, after an increase in the number of applications requesting mental health support, the charity took the decision to launch a helpline manned by professional counsellors aimed at supporting members of the trade who are facing mental health difficulties.

To complement the launch of the campaign, The Benevolent has also commissioned a survey targeting the experiences of current members of the UK drinks industry. The survey aims to outline current mental health difficulties experienced by members of the trade, and better understand existing HR policies or practices so that the charity can broaden the range of support that it can offer to those suffering with mental health difficulties. The research is commissioned by Wine Intelligence and is available via this link: http://surveys.wineintelligence.com/survey/selfserve/19b7/171205

The Benevolent team is urging members of the trade to engage and answer the questionnaire and to forward the link to the survey to their colleagues, employees and friends within the trade.