Racing Welfare will remain impartial in employment disputes, however there are laws affecting employment including minimum rates of pay. If you work in a stud you could talk to either the TGW Union or The British Grooms Association. You would need to become a member for them to act on your behalf which will have a small annual cost. However they will give you general advice and guidance for free. If you work in a racing yard NASS will answer your queries.

The current economic downturn has caused some worries regarding jobs in yards and studs throughout the country, and we urge anyone who is finding financial difficulty or other associated hardship due to redundancy etc to contact their local welfare officer as soon as possible. Racing Welfare understands that these issues can cause enormous amounts of stress and anxiety so we are always available to listen to your concerns.
 
Stable Employees Pension Plan (NTF) – The plan has 2 sections regarding time served when claiming for a pension.

1. If you were a stable employee before 1989 and aged over 25 at that time then you may be a member of the defined BENEFIT section of the plan.
2. If you were a stable employee before 2001 then you may be a member of the defined CONTRIBUTION section of the plan.

Bluefin will consider points 1 & 2 when processing your claim and therefore will inform you of any entitlement to a pension from the information you supply them. Please complete the attached form for any claim.

 

 

Case Study

“I’m a retired Stable Lad and I approached my local Racing Welfare office in Malton when I required information about Employment Pensions after realising one day that I might have a pension from racing that I did not know about. The process was easy; all I had to do was fill in a form with my basic details and the administrators did the rest. They wrote back to me after a while informing me of my entitlement and that a pension had been set up for me many years ago. I got a cheque for several hundred pounds which was a most welcomed one off payment. I would recommend anyone taking time to do what I did if they are not sure of their pension entitlement.”

Mr John Clive, Norton-Malton

 

 

 

National Trainers Federation Charitable Trust

Racing Welfare administers this charitable trust on behalf of the National Trainers Federation.  The objective of the trust is to provide funding for individuals who have had an accident/been injured in the course of their employment in racing and are, as a result of the accident/injury unable to return to work in the same capacity.  This funding is specifically for retraining to enable those individuals to gain employment either in a different capacity within the racing industry or within a different industry.

Grants have made by the trust to assist people who have had falls and sustained injuries which prevent them from returning to riding out, to individuals who have injuries caused by repeated strain on joints, tendons etc which likewise prevent them from continuing in their present role. 

Courses followed include plastering, nursing, driving instructing, HGV driving, racing secretary, secretarial and accountancy courses.  The later have provided a route into ancillary roles linked with racing where coupled with the knowledge and experience of the racing industry the training has given the opportunity to fill a niche in the employment market.

All applicants are invited to discuss their plans with their local welfare officer, who will be happy to give guidance on the completion of the application form.  The application form should be accompanied by a doctor’s report outlining why the applicant is no longer suited to working in their present capacity as well as information about the proposed course. 

If you are not eligible for NTFCT funding and are looking to undertake additional qualifications your welfare officer can work with you to find other funding sources and to support you through the process.