FAQ
Why do people in retail need a charity?
The retail sector employs over three million people, or 10% of the work force, and is the largest private sector employer. While retail offers unparalleled opportunities and career growth for people from diverse backgrounds, it has many people on or near the minimum wage.
Who does Retail Trust help?
Retail Trust helps people, and their families, who are working in, or retired from, retail and associated businesses.
What does Retail Trust do?
Retail Trust provides vital support and a range of services including a free and confidential Retail Trust Helpline 0808 801 0808, including access to free counselling, free legal and debt advice, hardship grants, a ReWork programme, bursaries for career development, an employee assistance programme, and team building opportunities such as Retail Trust Week, as well as retirement housing throughout the UK. This year we will provide £1 million in one-off hardship grants. See Our Services for more information.
When is the Helpline open?
The Retail Trust Helpline 0808 801 0808 is open seven days a week (Monday to Friday 9am-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am-1pm). You can also email our the Helpline on our Contact page with any queries you may have.
When was Retail Trust founded?
Retail Trust started out in 1832 as The Linen and Woollen Drapers, Silk Mercers, Lacemen, Haberdashers and Hosiers’ Institution! The charity was known as The Cottage Homes from the 1920s until it was more recently changed to Retail Trust in 2001. For more information, please see About Us.
Who is responsible for the goals of Retail Trust?
The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees and the strategy and day to day operations are run by the Chief Executive Nigel J L Rothband and the Executive team comprising Nigel, plus Robert Mansell (Finance Director) and John McDermott (Development Director). For more about goals and outcomes, please download the 2007/2008 Annual Review from the Publications page.
How can I help?
As an individual, you can make a donation online, or send a postal donation. If you are a UK taxpayer you can set up Payroll Giving through your employer. Or you can get involved in events like Retail Trust Week or treks and challenges, or even buy our Born to Shop charms. For general information, please see the Support Us section. Finally, if you can give Retail Trust your time – find out more about volunteering.
As an organisation, you can make a donation to support Retail Trust’s employee assistance programme, get involved in cause related marketing like our Born to Shop charms or sponsorship and prizes, or set up a Payroll Giving scheme. For full details of how you can help, please download our Retail Trust Partnership Portfolio from our Publications page.
Where does my money go?
Donations will fund the Retail Trust Helpline and help to provide vital assistance and essential services we offer – see What does Retail Trust do? Donations of any kind are crucial to the work we do and enable us to continue supporting those in retail who need us. You can make a difference to people’s lives. See how we’ve helped Sheila, Justine, Paula and Steve.
Where does Retail Trust get its money from?
Retail Trust is funded by donations from companies supporting the employee assistance programme, through cause related marketing (CRM), funds raised during Retail Trust Week and from corporate fundraising and capital appeals, Our events also generate an income through corporate sponsorship and ticket sales, as do other bespoke events. Personal Giving also generates an income, as does Retirement Housing through rents and service charges.
How can I apply for retirement housing?
Retail Trust has estates in London, Derby, Liverpool, Salford and Glasgow. Please see the Retirement Estates section for further information and call the Helpline to discuss eligibility criteria (or see Am I Eligible?) and they will send you an application form.
Which companies do you work with?
Retail Trust supports all retailers and those in associated businesses. For a full list of all our supporters see our Links page. Retail Trust also has links to bssa (British Shops and Stores Association) and Skillsmart Retail for training and lifelong learning for career development.
What if I have a question that isn’t answered here?
Please contact the Retail Trust Helpline 0808 801 0808 or email the Helpline on our Contact page and we will respond to your query as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest.
If your enquiry is media-related, please contact Marketing on 020 8358 7258 or email Marketing on our Contact page.
