The Printing Charity helped 1,737 people in 2018, an increase of 34% on the previous year. The figure was announced by the charity’s chairman Jon Wright at its 192nd Annual General Meeting.
Reporting on the charity’s positive year in growing its reach and impact in its welfare and education work, Wright said 832 people were helped through its education initiatives, including 91 Print Futures Awards winners. 197 people facing redundancy in 13 companies received practical back to work support.
In his round-up of the charity’s activities, Neil Lovell, The Printing Charity’s chief executive, gave an update on improvements to the charity’s two sheltered home schemes for people who have retired from the sector and extending the annual Print Futures Awards programme.
Lovell also shared the positive results from its latest survey asking beneficiaries receiving regular financial support what the charity’s help means to them. There was an 81% response rate, with 94% saying that the charity offers a good level of service; 87% feel happier about the future; 62% are able to go out more; and 90% now worry less about buying food, while 87% worry less about switching on their electricity and heating.
Wright and Steve Sibbald were re-elected at the AGM as The Printing Charity’s chairman and deputy chairman respectively.