The Licensed Trade Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,305,256 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 per individual
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (UK-wide support services)

Contact Details

Website: www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk

24/7 Helpline: 0808 801 0550

Email: Chris.Welham@ltcharity.org.uk

General Enquiries: enquiries@ltcharity.org.uk

Phone: 01344 884440

Overview

Founded in 1793, The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has been supporting people in the licensed hospitality sector for over 230 years. With total income of £29.7 million and charitable expenditure of £26.7 million (2024), the charity transforms lives through financial grants, mental health support, and practical advice. In 2024, LTC supported over 40,000 people working in pubs, bars, breweries, and the wider licensed hospitality sector, distributing £1,305,256 in grants to individuals and receiving almost 4,000 calls to their free helpline. The charity's mission of “Transforming lives, unleashing potential” extends beyond immediate crisis support to include long-term wellbeing through counselling, financial guidance, and employment assistance. LTC also operates three independent schools (LVS Ascot, LVS Hassocks, and LVS Oxford).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The LTC provides grants to individuals only (not organizations) who work or have worked in the licensed hospitality trade. Grants are means-tested and awarded up to £5,000 per individual based on circumstances.

Types of Support:

• Priority Debts: Rent arrears, council tax arrears, utility bills
• Household Items: Beds, washing machines, essential furniture
• Funeral Expenses: Funeral costs for family members
• Housing Costs: Rental deposits, moving expenses
• Education: School uniforms, laptops for children
• Health Needs: Hospital transport costs, mobility scooters
• Short-term Hardship: Emergency financial assistance

Application Method: Rolling basis through 24/7 helpline - no fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

• Financial Hardship: Individuals facing debt, arrears, or unexpected bills
• Mental Health: Those experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, or bereavement
• Housing Insecurity: People at risk of homelessness or needing to relocate
• Health Issues: Workers dealing with physical illness or mobility challenges
• Domestic Abuse: Survivors escaping abusive situations
• Family Support: Parents struggling to provide for children's basic needs

What They Don't Fund

• Items already purchased or paid for
• Ongoing, long-term financial support (grants are for one-off or short-term needs only)
• Repeat applications within 3 years (unless significant life changes occur)
• Organizations or businesses (individual support only)

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Chris Welham (appointed March 2024, former CEO of Wadworth and Chief Customer Officer at S4labour, with 27 years of hospitality experience)

Chairman: Ludovick Halik (Chairman of LTC & Vice Chair of Oxford Governing Body, over 30 years in licensed retail)

Immediate Past Chairman: Mike Hill (Vice Chairman of LVS Ascot Governing Body)

Key Trustees:

• Annette King (Chair of Charity Services Committee)
• Pat Duddy (Vice-Chair of Charity Services Committee)
• Tracy Bird (Charity Services & Membership Committees)
• Peter Raynsford (Chair of Pensions Committee)
• Toby Brett (Chair of Membership & Chair of LVS Ascot Governing Body)
• Mike Clist (Chair of LVS Hassocks Governing Body)
• Paul Hegarty (Chair of LVS Oxford Governing Body)
• Plus 11 additional trustees with diverse backgrounds in hospitality, finance, and education

Leadership Quotes:

Chris Welham on the charity's mission: “I am proud to lead an organisation that has been helping people from the licensed trade for over 200 years and continues to look for new ways to support our licensed trade community.”

On industry challenges: "Our sector is renowned for its ability to innovate and adapt to challenge. Nonetheless, this next year is not going to be easy and while I know many in our sector will find new ways to tackle the current challenges, we're here to help with the emotional and, where we can, financial, pressures that will present themselves."

On brewery support: “Running or working in a brewery brings huge rewards but also unique pressures, and we want every member of the SIBA community to know that expert help is available whenever life becomes challenging.”

How to Apply to The Licensed Trade Charity

How to Apply

Step 1: Initial Contact

Call the free 24/7 helpline at 0808 801 0550 or use Live Chat on the LTC Wellbeing Platform at www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk. All support is provided on a confidential basis - your employer will not be informed.

Step 2: Helpline Assessment

Speak with a trained helpline advisor (Citizens Advice level or counsellor) who will assess your situation and refer appropriate cases to the grants team.

Step 3: Grants Team Contact

The grants team will contact you to explain next steps and request:

• Completion of online application form
• Income and expenditure details
• Bank statements
• HMRC employment history form (or self-service employment records)

Step 4: Home Visit (Sometimes)

A charity services volunteer may conduct a confidential home visit to discuss your situation in detail.

Step 5: Assessment

Each application is assessed individually on a means-tested basis. All grants are free (not loans) and do not affect benefit entitlement.

Step 6: Payment

• For debts and bills: Payment made directly to creditors/suppliers (council, landlords, utility companies)
• For short-term hardship: Payment to your bank account or retail vouchers via email

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The charity emphasizes wanting people to contact them early “before a situation turns into a crisis” as they can then offer more comprehensive support.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. In 2024, approximately 23% of helpline calls were referred to the grants team for financial assistance consideration.

Reapplication Policy

Cannot reapply within 3 years unless significant life changes occur. The charity provides one-off or short-term support rather than ongoing assistance.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility is Critical:

• For general support (advice, counselling, information): Any length of service in licensed hospitality qualifies
• For financial grants: Minimum 5 continuous years employment in licensed drinks trade (can be across multiple jobs)
• Support extends to immediate family members living in the same household

What “Licensed Drinks Trade” Means:

Businesses where the sale, consumption, and supply of alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks under license is the predominant part of on-trade sales mix. Includes bartenders, brewers, servers, sous chefs, pub managers, and all pub, bar, and brewery workers.

Be Prepared to Document:

• Full financial situation (income, expenditure, debts)
• Bank statements
• Employment history through HMRC
• Specific costs you need help with

Contact Early:

The charity emphasizes: “We really want people to come to us before a situation turns into a crisis as one issue is usually linked to another and we can then offer help in different ways.” Early contact allows access to broader support services beyond grants.

Understand Payment Methods:

Be prepared that most grants pay creditors directly rather than to you. This ensures debts are cleared but means less flexibility in how funds are used.

Holistic Support:

The charity looks at whole-person needs. In addition to financial grants, be open to accepting counselling, practical advice, and information services that can address underlying issues.

Recent Examples of Funded Support:

• Caroline: £4,000 for debt clearance, daughter's bed, and bill arrears, plus counselling (widow with children)
• Amanda: £2,500 for funeral expenses, plus previous mobility scooter (retired landlady)
• James: Rent and deposit assistance, trauma counselling, short-term hardship grant (stabbing victim)
• Amy: Rent advance, household items including bed and washing machine (domestic abuse survivor)
• Sharon: School uniforms, laptop, council tax clearance, monthly income top-up (part-time worker supporting family)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This charity supports individuals only, not organizations - if you're a grant writer working with charities or community groups, this funder is not applicable for organizational grants
• Minimum 5 years service required for financial grants - ensure applicants can document continuous employment in licensed hospitality before applying
• Start with the helpline, not a written application - the application process begins with a phone call to 0808 801 0550, not a formal grant proposal
• Maximum £5,000 per individual - set realistic expectations about grant amounts (average appears much lower based on total grants vs. recipients)
• Three-year reapplication ban - unsuccessful applicants or previous recipients cannot reapply within 3 years unless circumstances significantly change
• Comprehensive support beyond money - the charity's strength is holistic support combining grants with counselling, advice, and practical guidance
• Means-tested and assessed individually - no fixed criteria; each case evaluated on specific circumstances and needs
• Early intervention valued - applicants who contact before crisis escalates can access broader support and potentially better outcomes

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Heinz, Anna And Carol Kroch Foundation
• The League Of The Helping Hand
• The 1930 Fund For District Nurses (no 1)
• The Talisman Charitable Trust
• The Actors' Benevolent Fund
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity
• Longleigh Foundation
• The Innholders' Charitable Foundation
• The Hamilton Wallace Trust

References

1. The Licensed Trade Charity official website - www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk
2. The LTC FAQ page - https://www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk/the-ltc-faq/
3. Our Services & Grants page - https://www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk/our-services-charitable-grants/
4. Eligibility Criteria page - https://www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk/eligibility-criteria-2/
5. About Us page - https://www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk/about-us/
6. Success Stories page - https://www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk/success-stories/
7. Charity Commission Register - “THE LICENSED TRADE CHARITY” Charity No. 230011 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=230011
8. Turn2us Grants Spotlight: Licensed Trade Charity - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/latest-news/grants-spotlight-licensed-trade-charity
9. Morning Advertiser - “Licensed Trade Charity predicts 30% rise in helpline calls” - https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/11/26/licensed-trade-charity-predicts-30-rise-in-helpline-calls/
10. Morning Advertiser - “The Licensed Trade Charity announces Chris Welham as CEO” - https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/01/29/the-licensed-trade-charity-announces-chris-welham-as-ceo/
11. Bar Magazine - “THE LICENSED TRADE CHARITY HONOURS REMARKABLE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AT PRESTIGIOUS 2024 ANNUAL AWARDS” - https://barmagazine.co.uk/the-licensed-trade-charity-honours-remarkable-industry-professionals-at-prestigious-2024-annual-awards/
12. SIBA - “SIBA and Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) announce partnership to support brewery owners and employees” - https://www.siba.co.uk/2025/10/30/siba-and-licensed-trade-charity-ltc-announce-partnership-to-support-brewery-owners-and-employees/