Caroline came to the LTC when she heard from her manager about the support on offer. She had lost her husband late in 2023, leaving her to care for their two children alone. Her daughter had been sleeping on the sofa for months after her bed broke, and Caroline was struggling to come to terms with the loss. She was prescribed medication for depression and was on a long waiting list for counselling. As a coping mechanism, Caroline turned to gambling, which only exacerbated her financial troubles. Unable to work due to her bereavement and mental health issues, she found herself bringing home less money and increasingly overwhelmed by her situation.

Caroline began to take steps towards recovery, banning herself from gambling websites and trying to pay off as much of her arrears as possible. However, the stress continued to mount as she struggled to balance her finances. The LTC stepped in, awarding her £4,000 to clear her debts, purchase a new bed for her daughter, and get back on track with her bills. Additionally, Caroline received counselling support to help her cope with her grief and depression. Now, Caroline is feeling more optimistic about the future, focused on rebuilding her life, and looking forward to creating a brighter, more stable environment for her children.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Amanda is a retired landlady who ran pubs in the Bristol and Bath area for 14 years with her family. She suffers from several physical health issues, has limited mobility, and relies on her son to drive her to appointments, visit family, and go on shopping trips. A few years ago, the LTC covered the cost of an occupational health assessment for Amanda and bought a mobility scooter to give her back some independence.

Recently, Amanda faced the heartbreaking loss of her adult son. Living on a limited income, she turned to the LTC for support with the cost of her son’s funeral. The LTC provided £2,500 towards the expenses, ensuring Amanda did not have to incur debt and worry about repayments. With this financial burden lifted, Amanda can focus on her health and grieving process without the added stress of financial strain. She is now able to cherish the memories of her son and find comfort in the support she has received, allowing her to move forward with hope and resilience.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

James worked in the licensed trade for seven years, including time with big pub companies before becoming a tenant himself. Last year, James was attacked and stabbed, resulting in severe physical injuries and psychological trauma. Unable to work during his recovery, he had no income, lived in constant anxiety, and feared becoming homeless. Sleep-deprived and losing weight, James worried about the possibility of bankruptcy.

The LTC stepped in to help James by providing a grant for rent and a deposit to secure a home. They also offered advice on claiming benefits and managing his debts and gave him a short-term hardship grant to allow him time to regain stability. Additionally, James received specialist trauma-based counselling to support his psychological recovery. Now, James is gradually rebuilding his life, focusing on healing and looking forward to a brighter future. He is determined to overcome these challenges and is grateful for the support that has given him a chance to start anew.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Amy, who has worked in the trade for 19 years, recently left her family home with her two children after ending a 20-year-long controlling and abusive relationship. During this time, she and her children were isolated from friends and family, forced to tiptoe around the house, and never allowed to go out alone. Her ex-partner had spent all their money on cannabis, leaving them in financial difficulty.

On their first day in their new house, the family realized they no longer had to whisper and shouted with excitement. However, they had been living without hot water for months, and Amy’s car had broken down, forcing her to walk three miles home after finishing her shift at 10 pm. The LTC paid Amy’s rent arrears, provided two months’ rent in advance, and bought a bed and mattress for her daughter, a washing machine, and new clothes for the family. Now, Amy is focused on building a safe and stable home for her children, free from fear and financial instability. She is filled with hope and excitement for the future, knowing they can finally enjoy the freedom and happiness they deserve.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Dave has worked in pubs for many years and had a tenancy of his own. He suffers from a lifelong autoimmune condition that requires regular medication and PTSD brought on by discovering his wife, who took her own life. Dave lost his tenancy as he was not fit to run the business, leaving him homeless and living in a Travelodge with no cooking facilities or food provided. His possessions, and those of his wife, were in storage, and he was in arrears for the storage costs, with Universal Credit insufficient to cover his expenses.

The LTC provided Dave with rent in advance and a deposit to help him secure private accommodation. They also paid his storage arrears and offered bereavement counselling to support his mental health. Now, Dave is settling into his new home, focusing on his recovery, and looking forward to a more stable and hopeful future. He is beginning to heal and is grateful for the support that has enabled him to start rebuilding his life with renewed strength and optimism.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Sharon has worked in the trade for ten years and lives with her 10-year-old son. She had to reduce her working hours to part-time to juggle childcare and family commitments. Sharon lost her father a couple of years ago and has since taken over caring for her extended family, including her alcoholic mother and her grandmother, who has dementia.

Sharon came to the LTC worried about her financial situation, with water and council tax arrears and payday loans taken out to replace her son’s broken bed and buy Christmas presents. She often skipped meals to ensure her son had enough food and walked home after evening shifts to save on transport costs. The LTC provided money for school uniforms, a laptop for her son’s schoolwork, cleared her council tax arrears, and bought a new washing machine. They also offered a small top-up to her monthly income to help address other debts. Now, Sharon is beginning to regain control of her finances and can focus on providing a stable environment for her son. She is hopeful and motivated, looking forward to a future where she can thrive and provide the best for her family.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Tim enjoyed living with his wife, three children, and pets until his relationship broke down, leaving him living alone for the first time in ten years with no contact with his ex or children. The breakdown impacted his mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts. Struggling to access support from his GP, Tim’s situation worsened after a fall at work left him with poor physical health and mobility.

After a period of homelessness, Tim was given an unfurnished flat by the local authority. The LTC supported Tim with counselling to address his mental health issues, advice on the practical aspects of moving to new accommodation, navigating the benefits system, and financial support for essential household items, including a sofa bed so his children could stay with him. Now, Tim is working towards rebuilding his life, maintaining his independence, and hoping to reconnect with his children. He is filled with hope and determination, grateful for the support that has given him the chance to create a new, positive chapter in his life.

This is the true story of someone who works in licensed hospitality, their name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.