Blog. Starting to tell Hospitality Action’s stories

Welcome to Hospitality Action’s new blog. We’ve created it to enable us to bring to life the many and varied ways in which the charity helps people who work or have worked in the British hospitality industry; and to tell the stories of the thousands of individuals and companies who give up precious time to fundraise for us.

We hope it’ll inspire you to support HA – and perhaps encourage you to reach out for support, yourself.

I was publisher of The Caterer magazine until the beginning of December, when I was privileged to succeed the incomparable Penny Moore as chief executive of HA. However, I’d been a trustee of the charity for twelve years, and I suppose I thought I knew all about its work. Trustees scrutinise the P&L, monitor monies incoming and outgoing, tick the boxes of governance, sometimes rubber-stamp a new project or direction. All important stuff, but removed from the sharp end of helping people in crisis.

I confess, I wasn’t prepared for the stirring stories I’ve heard, in the past weeks, of problems overcome and lives set back on track; the heart-warming letters of thanks I’ve read from beneficiaries for whom HA has provided a new start; or the gruelling cases where the best we can do is provide comfort for people who are never going to recover from their illnesses.

The team at HA is the fulcrum that balances the sky-divers, cyclists and cake bakers who raise funds, and the beneficiaries who need help. They help people in many ways.

One person may need home adaptations to help them to live with a disability; another a respite holiday, from which they’ll return refreshed and better able to care for a loved one.

Funerals are expensive, but we’re on hand to help bereaved people struggling to cover this cost. Financial support can kick-start the lives of people needing to relocate following domestic abuse. And a Family Day Out grant allows parents and children to enjoy a shared experience that’s far more precious than the cinema tickets and popcorn we pay for.

Meanwhile, at this time of year, our winter fuel grants ensure families up and down the country stay warm, healthy and work-ready.

This blog will bring to life the work of HA and its supporters. Where appropriate, it’ll also introduce you to recipients of HA’s support. You’ll know the companies they work for. Who knows, you may recognise or even know some of them. And that’s the point. Crisis can strike anyone, anytime. It’s not something that only affects other people’s lives. Look around the colleagues in your restaurant, bar, hotel or office. Chances are one of them is silently dealing with an issue, mental, physical or financial.

One thing’s for sure: if you find yourself in crisis, HA will be there for you.