Benevolent to double beneficiaries

Drinks industry charity The Benevolent has announced it is aiming to double the number of people it helps by 2017.

The charity said it was implementing a “new strategic direction” which would move it towards “local community” and “individual needs” that better addressed the circumstances those helped by the charity found themselves in.

As part of the new direction, The Benevolent has announced that it will be selling The Vintry Estate care home in Eastbourne to The William Pears Group, a decision chairman Chris Porter described as “tough and uncomfortable”.

Ex-drinks industry residents will remain in the bungalows and continue to be beneficiaries of The Benevolent.

Chief executive, David Cox 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”.

“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”.