NewstrAid

Founded in 1839, NewstrAid helps people who are, or have been, employed in the selling and distribution of newspapers and magazines in the UK and who have fallen on hard times. This includes their immediate family and dependants who are in need, hardship or distress.

As well as grants and financial support, we provide a full range of advice and information services including access to an anxiety support helpline. Our team of volunteers also make sure that our beneficiaries receive the emotional support they require via home visits.

Our financial support is means tested but our anxiety support services are available to everyone who works in the industry.

Who we help

Distribution means people who deal with newspapers and magazines from the time they leave the printing press until they reach the reader.

• Shop assistants

• Newsagents

• Street vendors

• Wholesaler employees

• Delivery drivers

• Packers

• Circulation employees.

How we help

• Financial Support: Including:

  • Regular Grants to meet ongoing living costs

  • One-off Samaritan Grants to fund individual items such as white goods or mobility aids and

  • Help with Care Costs and Care Home Fees.

• Help for Children (Funded by the Association of Circulation Executives (ACE))
• Almoner Home Visits: Regular visits from a dedicated volunteer, associated with the news trade.
• State Benefits Advice
• Debt Advice Counselling (in partnership with the Debt Advice Foundation)
• Support for people who have disabilities and their carers
• Advisory, Signposting and Information Service
• Anxiety and Wellbeing Support (in partnership with Spectrum Life). Number available upon request.
• Fresh Start Assist: A scheme specifically aimed at helping newsagents to readjust to life after retail if they have decided to cease trading. Victims of retail crime can also access financial and emotional support via this scheme.

People who NewstrAid have helped*

Mr Thorpe

Mr Thorpe was a driver working nights, taking papers to wholesalers when he suffered a heart attack. Fortunately he survived but is now unable to work and has a family to support.

Following a financial assessment, Mr Thorpe and his wife are now regular beneficiaries and receive a cheque three times a year to help support their family.

Mr and Mrs Brown

Mr and Mrs Brown were self-employed newsagents for 12 years. They contacted us because they were only just managing to keep up with their bills, following the closure of their shop at the beginning of the year. Their cooker had recently broken and they had no savings to replace it.

NewstrAid were able to fund the replacement of their cooker and offer financial help and advice through the Fresh Start Assist scheme.

Are you eligible for NewstrAid's help?

If you have a proven trade connection and are in need of support and/or financial assistance, please complete the enquiry form on the NewstrAid website.

Each application is assessed on its individual merits.

How to contact NewstrAid

You can can contact NewstrAid as follows:

Address: NewstrAid Benevolent Fund, Suite 2 Thremhall Estate, Start Hill, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM22 7TD

Telephone: 0800 917 8616

Email: oldben@newstraid.org.uk

Browse the NewstrAid website

Read the NewstrAid profile on the Turn2us Grants Search

*Names have been changed