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Tackling loneliness among retired racing staff

At Racing Welfare, we love bringing people together. That’s why we host numerous events all over the UK to help our retired staff, their partners, and carers beat loneliness and isolation. Our trips offer a chance to reconnect with old friends and enjoy a fun social gathering with those who share similar interests.

Every year, we take a group of our retired beneficiaries on a week-long holiday, generously sponsored by Godolphin. These holidays create lasting memories and have a hugely positive impact on our beneficiaries’ mental wellbeing by bringing together the retired community.

We know that retired racing staff based outside the traditional racing centres may be at greater risk of becoming lonely or socially isolated. Therefore, it is an important part of our work to ensure we can reach as many of these individuals as we possibly can.

Hear Ruth, Ronnie and Joy talk about the benefits the holiday had on them…

Retired racing staff step back in time at Beamish

On Wednesday 22 June 60 retired racing staff from North Yorkshire enjoyed a day trip to Beamish, a world famous open air museum in Durham.

The trip was organised for beneficiaries local to Middleham and Malton, and was offered as part of Racing Welfare’s services for racing’s retired community. Trips and outings for former racing staff play a key role in helping to reduce isolation and loneliness within the retired racing community, helping them to remain a part of the industry to which they have dedicated their lives.

Beamish Museum brings the history of North East England to life with various areas of the open air site dedicated to key historical periods including towns and countryside settings from the 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. Beneficiaries were given the opportunity to explore the various exhibits and discover fascinating stories of everyday life in the region through time before enjoying a spot of lunch.

One attendee stated “I don’t often get to catch up with old friends because my mobility isn’t as good as it used to be, the trips are something I look forward to each year and always know I will be well looked after. Spending time with some old friends makes my day”

Regional Welfare Manager Adam Ferguson said: “The events and outings held for racing’s retired community are instrumental in our aim to prevent loneliness and social isolation. We are acutely aware of the impact of social isolation amongst the retired community and our calendar of community engagement events play a significant role in mitigating the impact.”

To find out more about Racing Welfare’s trips and outings for retired racing staff please join the Racing Conversation Facebook Group or call Racing’s Support Line on 0800 6300 443 and ask to speak to your local Welfare Officer.

Retired racing staff welcomed on Derby day

Almost 100 retired racing staff enjoyed a dedicated trackside facility at Epsom for the 2022 Cazoo Derby on Saturday 4 June. The special area, gifted to Racing Welfare for the day by Jockey Club Racecourses, was located near to the Tattenham Enclosure and provided guests with under cover seating and bar access. Racecards were also provided free of charge by Weatherbys.

‘Be Friendly’ – Racing Welfare’s telephone befriending service has launched

Racing Welfare has launched a telephone befriending service for vulnerable, lonely or isolated people from the horseracing industry with the aim of reducing and preventing loneliness and social isolation. The service has been named ‘Be Friendly’ after the dual Haydock Sprint Cup winner owned by Sir Peter O’Sullevan, a longstanding supporter of the charity.

Coffee Mornings launch in Gloucestershire for retired racing staff

On the 19th April 2017, Racing Welfare are holding the first Coffee Morning for people who have retired from the horseracing industry in the Gloucestershire area. The coffee morning will be held at the beautiful Richmond Retreats in Painswick and is free of charge to attend for anyone who has worked within the industry at any stage during their career.

257 Retired Racing Staff have Christmas Lunch

257 Retired racing staff around the country enjoyed a Christmas lunch with HRH The Princess Royal.

In Newmarket, Lambourn, Middleham and Malton more than 250 retired racing staff sat down at 1.00 pm on 14th December to enjoy a Christmas Lunch, organised by Racing Welfare. Racing Welfare’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, was in attendance at the Newmarket event, giving a speech before the meal highlighting the work that the charity does all year round in its campaign to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst racing’s retired people.