Reflecting the deepening crisis faced by thousands of hospitality workers across the UK, in 2024 the charity provided financial and emotional support to more hospitality households facing hardship than ever before.

Complex ‘Red Flag’ cases, where individuals faced the threat of imminent homelessness due to unpaid rent, council tax or utility bills became increasingly common. The number of emergency ‘same day’ payments awarded to prevent immediate eviction outstripped figures from the previous two years combined.

In addition to debt support, Hospitality Action recruited a benefits advisor thanks to funding from the Savoy Educational Trust. Within seven months this service unlocked more than £194,000 in previously unclaimed state benefits.

Hospitality Action’s Golden Friends scheme, designed to keep loneliness and isolation at bay, supported more than 2,000 older beneficiaries in 2024. Over 240 milestone birthday flowers were sent as well as 4,000 personalised birthday and Christmas cards and 6,384 newsletters were posted to help ensure that retirees stay connected.

When survey participants were asked to identify the top three challenges hospitality workers expected to face in the next 12 months, 60% cited maintaining a good work/life balance whilst mental health and finances were reported by 44% and 42% respectively.

Mark Lewis, chief executive at Hospitality Action, said: “I don’t think any of us quite predicted the unprecedented surge in calls for help we experienced throughout 2024. We answered more helpline calls, delivered more counselling sessions and awarded over £1m in grants – more than in any previous year since the darkest days of the pandemic.

“This has only served to strengthen our resolve to support as many of our hospitality colleagues as possible. Supporting Hospitality Action isn’t just vital for our industry, it’s a smart investment in the wellbeing and resilience of your business and workforce too."

For more information about Hospitality Action and how individuals and businesses can get involved, please visit: www.hospitalityaction.org.uk.