When the Unthinkable Happens: How LTC Supports the Licensed Hospitality Community After Traumatic Events.
Story by Hannah Morgan Marketing Executive for Licensed Trade Charity
Working in licensed hospitality means being at the heart of people’s lives. The conversations, the celebrations, the care. But behind the scenes, it’s a demanding job. Long hours, pressure, and sometimes situations no one expects to face.
When a traumatic event hits a workplace, affecting individuals or the whole team, it can leave a deep and lasting impact. That’s why LTC provides dedicated Critical Incident and Trauma Support for people working in the licensed hospitality community.
Whether it’s the sudden death of a colleague or a violent event involving guests, these experiences can affect the wellbeing of entire teams. LTC offers a calm, experienced and compassionate response when it’s needed most.
The Critical Incident and Trauma Support service is built around providing the right action at the right time, providing tailored care. Through our partner CiC Wellbeing, an accredited EAP provider, we can offer:
- On-site trauma support from qualified clinicians
- Group sessions to help teams understand and process trauma
- One-to-one support for those more deeply affected
- Continued access to emotional support
- Guidance for managers, including how to approach conversations with their teams
Our aim is always to support both the immediate response and the longer-term recovery. That might be one day of on-site help or follow-up counselling for individuals who need extra support.
LTC’s support is designed to respond to a wide range of challenging situations. That includes incidents such as the sudden death of a colleague, attempted suicides, assaults, violent or traumatic events involving guests, serious accidents at work, or even natural events like fires or floods. These moments can leave teams feeling shaken, overwhelmed or unsure where to turn. LTC helps individuals process what’s happened, supporting managers in looking after their teams, and guiding everyone involved towards a safe and steady recovery.
Real stories from the community
At a venue in London, staff were caught up in a violent incident when a group of masked individuals entered the premises and attacked customers with weapons during trading hours. The team, including a management partner living above the venue with their young child, were understandably shaken.
Although no staff were physically harmed, the emotional impact was significant. LTC arranged for a trauma clinician to visit the site and deliver a group intervention for those affected. The session helped normalise some of the trauma symptoms team members were experiencing, such as anxiety and hypervigilance.
Staff were also reminded that emotional support is available not only for them, but for their families too. Ongoing access to counselling was offered, giving the team a pathway to further help if they need it.
At a pub in Surrey, team members witnessed an attempted suicide on-site. Coming just before Christmas, the timing made it even harder to cope. LTC provided an experienced clinician who led group and one-to-one sessions with the team. Staff were guided through how trauma affects the body and mind, and given tools for self-care and managing stress. Three team members were referred for structured follow-up support, and managers were encouraged to check in again after the festive period.
Practical, compassionate, human
Trauma can leave people feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. That’s why LTC’s support is designed to be straightforward, flexible and led by the needs of the people involved. No two situations are the same, and the response never is either.
We work closely with managers and team leaders to understand what’s happened, what the team needs, and how best to help. That might include coaching for difficult conversations or simply offering someone to talk to in confidence.
What matters most is that people feel supported, heard and looked after.
LTC, here for you
Whether a traumatic event affects one person or an entire team, LTC is here to help people feel safe, supported and able to move forward.
If something difficult happens at work, you don’t have to face it alone. Our support is confidential, free and tailored to your team.
Call us 24/7 on 0808 801 0550
Or visit our website https://www.licensedtradecharity.org.uk to find out more.
