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The Benevolent looks to double its number of beneficiaries by 2017

Published:  25 June, 2013

Drinks industry charity, The Benevolent, hopes its new strategic direction will help it double the number of people it can help by 2017.

Drinks industry charity, The Benevolent, hopes its new strategic direction will help it double the number of people it can help by 2017.

 

This new strategy will see the sale of its Vintry Estate property in Eastbourne, home to the care home that looks after many of the charity's beneficiaries, and free the charity to use its funds to be more tailored to the individual needs of its beneficiaries.

 

The move will also "significantly increase the number of vulnerable people the charity will be able to support over the next four years".

 

The Vintry Estate is to be sold to the William Pears Group, a 100% family owned company, but the beneficiaries will remain in their homes and continue to be part of the Benevolent under the new owners.

 

The new strategy was developed following research that revealed serious issues within the drinks industry community such as homelessness, poverty, life threatening illness and disability are best addressed at a local level in the beneficiaries' own community where they can remain close to friends, family and their existing support networks.

 

This new approach will also allow the charity to target aid to more members of the trade in need of support in their own homes, regardless of their personal circumstances or geography.

 

David Cox, The Benevolent's chief executive, said: "Although it has been regrettable to see a long-standing care home, staffed by wonderfully caring individuals face closure, the on-going deficit was an unsustainable drain on our funds and it is an increasingly regulated sector". 

 

He added: "Our new policy of supporting a far greater number of beneficiaries in their own homes and communities and broadening our reach to embrace bursaries to drinks trade staff in their own workplace, positions us far more effectively as a vibrant, viable and progressive trade charity".

 

The Benevolent's chairman, Chris Porter, said: "Whilst we have made a tough and uncomfortable decision with regard to the Care Home, the welfare of our beneficiaries, including those residents in the Eastbourne bungalows, remains paramount. This new direction for The Benevolent not only helps us to continue to help them, but extends assistance across the country to a greater number of people in need in our trade."

 

He added: "Ultimately it will secure the future position of the charity itself for many years to come."

                                                           

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