Drinks trade charity tackles mental health with #notalone campaign

UK drinks trade charity The Benevolent has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues in the drinks trade with the aim of encouraging a stigma-free environment, while encouraging those in need of its support to get in touch.

Tom Yusef, The Benevolent chair of the board of trustees

Called #NotAlone, the campaign was formally announced by The Benevolent’s Chairman, Tom Yusef at the charity’s annual drinks trade lunch on Friday, held at Vinters’ Hall in London and hosted by The Worshipful Company of Vintners’, demonstrating its support of the charity.

Guests were treated to a Champagne reception whilst they had the opportunity to network with fellow members of the trade, which was followed by a three-course lunch accompanied by wine from the Vintners’ own cellars.

In an impassioned speech about the charity’s work during the lunch, Yusef called on members of the trade to speak freely about mental health issues in the workplace to create a stigma-free environment, reminding both employers and employees that The Benevolent is there to help should you need it.

“I cannot imagine what it must be like to be living with depression, severe stress and anxiety and having nowhere to go or no one to talk to,” said Chris Porter, chief executive of The Benevolent, who took over the role from David Cox in January following his retirement. ”

Mental health issues are not restricted to class, race, gender, sexual or religious orientation – it can affect anyone at anytime in their lives and our Trade is no exception.

“I am very proud that we are announcing this campaign today, to help those that are impacted by this and for them to know that they are not alone. We are Here to Help. The campaign spearheads our existing work as we begin this New Year, which will see The Benevolent offering an even greater level of support to those in our industry who are currently suffering real hardship and difficulty in their lives. I would like to thank the trade, especially our corporate partners, ambassadors and fundraisers for all their fantastic and ongoing support”.

As part of the campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues and how it can support members of the trade, the charity is working with Wine Intelligence on a survey to help inform the trade of the current mental health difficulties experienced by members of the UK drinks trade. The research is run by Wine Intelligence with members of the trade urged to respond and circulate the questionnaire within their organisations.

The event also saw the presentation of the Vintners’ Benevolent Award, which acknowledges and celebrates a member of the trade who in the previous year has actively and innovatively helped raise awareness of The Benevolent and its work, going above and beyond the call of duty in supporting their trade charity. This year the award was bestowed upon Ewan Murray, PR Manager at The Wine Society.

“I am incredibly proud of The Benevolent’s achievements, and the wonderful work done to help colleagues who are facing difficult circumstances, whatever they might be,” said Yusef, chairman of The Benevolent.

“Upon appointment as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, I have committed to do my utmost in the interest of those whose benefit we strive to serve. This is still my priority and I am looking forward to another new year of success, working with the excellent team at The Benevolent and the new appointed CEO Chris Porter.”

The event also saw the the presentation of a cheque by the Master of The Vintners’ Company Nick Arkell for the sum of £12,000 to The Benevolent. The sum donated by The Vintners’ Company will support in the charity’s work to support members of the drinks trade facing a variety of difficult circumstances, including serious illness, mental health difficulties, financial hardship or any personal crises.

Further details on the #notalone campaign and how The Benevolent can support members of the trade can be found here.

Ewan Murray, PR manager at The Wine Society, receiving this year’s Vintner’s Cup