The Pub Show is delighted to have Licensed Trade Charity returning as a charity partner for our 2027 edition, taking place on 5-7 April. We caught up with Joby Mortimer, Director of Charity Operations, to learn more about what LTC does and what they'll be bringing to this year's event. 

For readers who may not be familiar with the Licensed Trade Charity, who do you support and what help can you offer?

We've been supporting the licensed hospitality community for over 230 years, providing free, confidential financial assistance, practical advice and wellbeing support. From money worries and housing challenges to mental health and counselling, LTC is here for you. In 2025, we supported 45,000 people and awarded £1.8 million in grants and services. We're incredibly proud of that, and we want even more people to know we're here when they need us.

What are the main challenges bringing pub owners, operators and their teams to the charity at the moment? Have you noticed any changes in the support people need?

Financial pressures, wellbeing and sleep are some of the biggest challenges we're seeing. Our latest Wellbeing at Work research with KAM found that 66% of people surveyed had experienced a personal challenge in the previous year. Sleep was the most common, affecting 29%, while 22% reported mental health challenges and the same proportion reported financial worries. These issues often overlap, which is why having access to different types of support is so important. 

What might stop someone from asking for help, and what would you say to someone who is unsure whether to get in touch?

I think pride can play a big part, particularly for publicans who are used to being the person everyone else turns to. Hospitality people spend their working lives looking after customers, colleagues and communities, but sometimes forget about themselves. My message is simple: this is your industry's charity, and we're here for you too. You don't need to be at breaking point to get in touch. Our brilliant team is available 24/7 via our helpline and Wellbeing Platform live chat and everything is confidential. 

What practical steps can publicans take to support their teams' wellbeing, particularly when they are under pressure themselves?

A key step is to make wellbeing part of everyday conversations. Check in with your team, listen to what they're telling you and make sure they know where to turn.
And importantly, publicans need to look after themselves too. Running a pub comes with enormous responsibility, and nobody can be expected to have all the answers.
Our free Employee Assistance Programme gives operators and their teams access to counselling, practical advice and wellbeing support. It's a brilliant resource, and I'd encourage every pub to take advantage of it.

Could you share an example of the difference the charity's support has made to someone working in the pub sector?

One story that really stands out is Patrick's. After working in hospitality, he suffered a serious heart attack that left him unable to work and struggling financially. Our brilliant Charity Services team helped him clear his debts, replace essential household appliances and get back on his feet. Patrick told us the support had given him a new perspective on life. In October alone, we awarded over £122,000 in financial support to people across our licensed hospitality community. I'm incredibly proud of the difference our team makes every single day.

As a charity partner of The Pub Show, what are you planning for the 2027 event, and how can visitors get involved?

We're really looking forward to being part of The Pub Show! It's a brilliant opportunity to connect with people from across our industry.

We'll be bringing our new LTC Wellbeing Lounge, a specially converted horsebox offering a welcoming space to have a chat, meet our team and find out more about the support available. Whether you're a publican, operator or supplier, please come and say hello. We'd love to see you!

Our theme this year is 'Powered by Ideas'. What is one idea you would like more pubs to embrace to improve the lives of their teams?

I'd love to see every pub make wellbeing a regular part of how they run their business, from shift patterns to wellbeing champions, an engaged supported team can lead to better business results and consumer experience. Looking after your team's wellbeing makes good business sense. When people feel supported, they're more likely to perform at their best, deliver a great guest experience and help the business thrive.

And it doesn't need a huge budget. Our Employee Assistance Programme gives businesses access to practical resources and professional support to help them look after their people. Imagine the difference if every pub made one positive change to how it supports its team.

How else can pubs and suppliers help support your work?

There are so many ways to get involved, from fundraising and corporate partnerships to helping us spread the word. Our Always On Shift campaign highlights how the pressures of hospitality can follow people home. We'd love pubs and suppliers to share the film, display our posters in staff areas and make sure their teams know where to turn for support.
And of course, fundraising makes a huge difference. Whether it's sponsoring an event or choosing LTC as your charity partner, every penny donated goes directly towards helping people in our brilliant industry.

Find out more about the LTC's work supporting hospitality professionals at licensedtradecharity.org.uk.