Racing Welfare

Racing Welfare, a UK-registered charity established in 2000, is dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of current and former staff in the British horseracing and thoroughbred breeding industry, from recruitment through retirement. Born from recognition of the sector's unique challenges—like physical demands, mental health pressures, job insecurity, and housing needs—it provides holistic, confidential assistance to help individuals thrive in careers and personal lives. Guided by values of compassion, integrity, professionalism, and inclusiveness, its distinctive approach integrates grant-making with casework, a 24-hour helpline, professional advice on debt, housing, legal, financial, and benefits issues, bereavement support, employment advocacy, addiction counselling, and signposting to specialists. Staff and trustees with direct racing experience ensure deep sector insight, complemented by Racing Homes for tenancy management and industry partnerships.

It prioritises individual hardship grants for essential goods, emergency relief, health costs (e.g., mental health treatment, mobility aids), housing repairs, crisis recovery, and vocational training for career progression. Organisational-level support includes community events, health initiatives, and wellbeing campaigns fostering social connection, like exercise programmes or digital inclusion for retirees. Beneficiaries are workers (stable/stud staff, jockeys, trainers, breeders, racecourse/admin personnel) and their immediate families across UK racing hotspots in England, Wales, and Scotland, with emphasis on rural communities, young entrants, and older retirees.

Racing Welfare does not fund charities, organisations, or projects—only direct individual aid—and rejects unsolicited organisational applications. Eligible individuals apply rolling via the Lightning Reach online portal (profile creation required), with welfare officers contacting within 7 days; proof of industry ties and finances needed. Grants typically range £100 to a few thousand pounds, scaling for urgent needs. Apolitical and independently funded, it emphasises quick crisis response, prevention, and empowerment, setting it apart through tailored, industry-embedded welfare.