Fashion & Textile Children's Trust
The Fashion & Textiles Children's Trust (FTCT) celebrated 160 years of supporting employees in UK fashion and textiles industry with an evening reception, hosted by Lord Stone of Blackheath, at The House of Lords on 16 June.
The charity was founded to provide financial support to families of those who are currently or recently employed within the UK fashion and textile industry. It has connections to Charles Dickens, who was the charity's Chairman of Appeal in 1856. His great-grandson, Gerald Dickens, and his wife, Elizabeth, attended the reception.
Guests at the reception included representatives from the retail and manufacturing industries, including Jenny Holloway (Fashion Enter), Steve Rowe (M&S), Liza Webb (Jaeger), as well as MP’s and charities including Gingerbread, Turn2us and Buttle UK. Top representatives from trade organisations including UKFT and BSSA were also present, alongside FTCT stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Plans to double the numbers of children FTCT support
Meg Lustman, CEO Hobbs, Chair of Trustees and Anna Pangbourne, FTCT Director, outlined plans to double the amount of children FTCT support by 2019.
Meg Lustman commented, “Our purpose is very simple and clear. FTCT is here to give money to families in need and our goal is to help many more families. So our first and most important objective is to raise awareness of the charity and that we are here to help. We hope that everyone who attended last night’s event will help us achieve our goal by referring families to FTCT and distributing our information among their colleagues and staff.”
Speakers on the night also included Lord Stone and Louise May, senior HR advisor, Boden Leicester, who spoke about her personal experience of referring staff to FTCT.
Can FTCT help your family?
The grants the charity gives support the education and wellbeing of vulnerable children (aged 0-18 years) whose parents work, or have recently worked, in the UK fashion and textile industry and are on a low income.
FTCT’s industry criteria covers sectors including womenswear, menswear, footwear, interiors, soft furnishings, soft accessories, textiles and even supermarkets which sell clothing. FTCT also accepts applications from individuals who are long term unemployed, providing they have previously worked in the industry for one year or more.
FTCT would love to hear from parents (carers) who meet its eligibility criteria and whose child may need support.
Can you help refer families within the industry to FTCT?
The charity also wishes to hear from employers and employees who can help refer families within the industry, who are experiencing financial difficulties. In particular those affected by the changes at BHS and Austin Reed, who may need help during this difficult time.
Read our recent Grants Spotlight feature about Fashion and Textile Children's Trust
Read how young carer Jada was helped by the Fashion and Textile Children's Trust
Browse the Fashion and Textile Children's Trust website
Source: Fashion & Textile Children's Trust blog post
Photo: Fashion & Textile Children's Trust copyright: Meg Lustman (Chair of FTCT Trustees), Anna Pangbourne (Director FTCT), Gerald Dickens, Elizabeth Dickens at the FTCT reception on 16 June 2016.