About Us

Our Mission is “to equip people to be self-reliant and achieve their personal best”

The Licensed Trade Charity helps pubs, bar, brewery, wines and spirits people when you are in need of help.  We support hundreds of people facing a crisis with practical, emotional and financial support each year.

It is estimated that around 250,000 people working in the licensed trade are in need of support at any one time and we try to reach out to as many as possible.

People who manage or work in pubs give a lot of time, energy and often compassion to their customers, but don’t necessarily gain much financial reward for this. So when a life crisis hits, it may not take much to have a devastating effect on them, and their family.

We are honest with how we can help and the charity, from our Trustee body, to our employees and volunteers, consists of people who genuinely care about making a positive difference in others’ lives. This passion for others is woven into the fabric of who we are and what we do.

The Licensed Trade Charity was first established in 1793 and we have been supporting the licensed trade since. We have established a number of commercial operations and investments that generate the income we use to fund our charitable work. We are grateful for the support of an army of fundraisers around the country who have been raising money to support our work throughout their careers in the trade and beyond.

We work closely with operators around the UK to raise awareness of the support we offer to their people and help us to reach out to more licensed trade people in need.

To see what we do, please watch our short introductory video

Our mission is to equip licensed trade workers to be self-reliant, to provide the right guidance, and if necessary offer financial support to help them get back on their feet, and on with life again. If you would like more information as to how you can raise awareness of our Licensed Trade Charity service in your organisation, email Paula Smith at: marketing@ltcharity.org.uk

Our Schools

We have been educating children from the trade since 1803 and we are proud to own and manage three independent schools today.

Our mainstream school in Ascot offers day and boarding places to girls and boys aged 4 to 18. LVS Ascot is non-selective school  without an entrance exams, accepting enthusiastic and committed students from across the academic spectrum. Proud of its excellent academic & pastoral care, staff across the school work together to ensure that every student’s personal development is nurtured, believing that encouragement and support are essential to help young people become caring, confident citizens for the future. The licensed trade are offered a 20% discount on school fees and we also offer a few full scholarships covering the cost of a day pupil, for gifted and talented children – visit the site to find out more.

“The life lessons, the support, the listening, the communication, the unrivalled concern for and devotion to our children’s education has been exceptional and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of the LVS community.”  Parent at LVS Ascot

Providing a unique, positive education for young people with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

We have two schools for young people with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, one based in Hassocks, West Sussex and another in Oxford. LVS Hassocks and LVS Oxford have experienced teams of teachers and teaching assistants who are passionate about providing a positive and nurturing learning environment for students. A specialist curriculum is underpinned by three main areas for development – Learning, Growing and Achieving. Both schools aim to enable students to realise their full potential and become independent individuals who are confident and successful, leaving the school able to enjoy independent futures in jobs or further mainstream education.

“I cannot praise LVS Hassocks enough for giving my child something to look forward to each day and for bringing out the best in him. It is the best provision I could ever wish for.”  Parent at LVS Hassocks

Licensed Trade Charity Impact Report 2022