20 March 2013

Print-related charities join forces

David Hicks, Chief Executive of The Book Trade Charity, explains: “The ‘information’ industry is one of the biggest sectors in the UK and covers a wide range of endeavour; it affects the lives of all citizens.  The speed of technological change means the industry is constantly moving forward.  By working together, all of the relevant trade welfare charities can ensure that they can continue to provide the best, and most appropriate, support services for colleagues who experience difficult personal circumstances.  This continues a tradition of charitable support which, for many charities, dates back into and beyond the Victorian era.”

The focus of the new, informal alliance of print-related charities will be to help each other raise their profiles by sharing information about their support services, including eligibility criteria and grants available. They will also cross-refer where possible, for example, to fill vacancies in their respective retirement homes.   

“Like any business, reaching our target audiences is critical to marketing our services successfully,” explains Stephen Gilbert, Chief Executive of The Printing Charity. “In that respect, charities are no different from commercial organisations. But our lines of communication to the people who need our help are no longer so clear cut, so it makes sense to work through established, like-minded organisations.

“These print-related charities exist for people in our industry and their dependants, so if you know of anyone experiencing difficulties, please spread the word that there is help available.” 

Charity Contacts:
The Printing Charity, T: 01293 542 820, www.theprintingcharity.org.uk
The Book Trade Charity, T: 01923 263 128, www.booktradecharity.org
GPM Charitable Trust, T: 07733 262 991, www.gpmtrust.org
NABS, T: 020 7290 7070, www.nabs.org.uk
The Bishop Trust, T: 07903 465 627
Paper Industry Charitable Trust, T: 01895 905 551, www.pictuk.com
The Bookbinders Charitable Society, T: 020 8368 4770
The Journalists’ Charity, T: 01306 887 511, www.journalistscharity.org.uk
The Stationers’ Foundation, T: 020 7248 2934, www.stationers.org
Unite the Union, T: 020 7611 2500, www.unitetheunion.org
National Union of Journalists Extra, T: 020 7278 7916, www.nujextra.org.uk

For further information, please contact Stephen Gilbert, Chief Executive, The Printing Charity, T: 01293 542 820, E: [email protected] or see www.theprintingcharity.org.uk