ABTA LifeLine is ABTA’s charity for past and present employees of ABTA Members. They help provide support for the unexpected moments in life, such as redundancy, relationship breakdown, accidents and bereavement, among many other things.
ABTA LifeLine gives practical, financial, and emotional assistance to travel colleagues, helping them access support and guidance during unexpected life events.
Below is a list of the main things ABTA LifeLine may be able to help you with. The list is not exhaustive. The support is flexible and tailored to best help you and your family.
Emergency support
If you are struggling to provide food for your family, they can help you with a voucher to spend on essential groceries and household items (not tobacco, alcohol, or lottery tickets).
Crisis grants
ABTA LifeLine may be able to award a crisis grant to help with rent, mortgage, council tax, and utility bills. They pay suppliers directly on your behalf.
They cannot help with non-priority debt, such as credit and store cards, payday loans, etc.
Benefit, budgeting, and housing advice
With your consent, they can refer you to their partner Citizens Advice (Manchester - CAM), who can give you expert advice on debt, benefits, housing, and budgeting. They will provide you with options and help to manage your finances and, in some cases, take on benefit appeals.
This advice is non-judgmental, confidential, and will not affect your credit rating.
Funeral costs
If you have not been able to secure State help with the costs of a funeral, in exceptional circumstances, they can help with basic costs (excludes cars, flowers, etc.).
Essential household appliances
ABTA LifeLine can help with the replacement of essential appliances, including washing machines, fridge freezers, and ovens. In some cases, they can also help with essential furnishings such as a bed, pots and pans, flooring, etc.
Support for your children
ABTA LifeLine can help with school uniform and equipment, including IT and other essential needs.
Counselling and wellbeing support
ABTA LifeLine has teamed up with The Centre for Crisis Psychology (CCP) to provide you with mental health and wellbeing support, offering professional guidance and support when you need it.
Eligible applicants will have direct telephone access to clinicians, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support them.
Please note: if you are looking for mental health and wellbeing support, the NHS webpage contains details of organisations that can provide guidance and assistance, including Samaritans, MIND, YoungMinds, and others.