Racing Welfare has received three-year funding for a Housing Support Officer to provide direct, professional support to young people starting their careers in racing.
The £100,000 donation comes from Dr Johnny Hon of Global Group Racing, who is keen to nurture talent within the racing industry.
This new donation will ensure this important role continues to be there for young people over the coming years. The Housing Support Officer has already proven to play a vital role in helping young tenants at Racing Welfare’s properties across the country to manage all aspects of their lives, in turn enabling them to flourish.
One such property is MacDonald Buchanan House; modern, supported accommodation in Newmarket that is home to eighteen young people aged 16-24. These young people dedicate their life to racing, working in local yards, riding out six days a week and providing unrivalled care to racehorses. They are the future of the racing industry.
Housing Support Officer Sarah Ashley manages the accommodation and plays a key part in mentoring the tenants who are often living away from home for the first time. She supports them to develop key practical life skills; paying bills, cooking, cleaning, setting up bank accounts, all the skills they will need to later move on to their own accommodation.
As well as providing this invaluable support, Sarah manages the building and provides pre-tenant support to those joining from the British Racing School. Similarly, a move-on plan is implemented to ensure they leave with confidence once they move into their own accommodation.
Sarah says: “For some young people they don’t have family support so I’m the only person they have to check they are doing okay. It allows people to become more confident and thrive in all aspects of their lives. I’ve taken the same journey myself through the racing school, working and riding in yards, it’s not easy and I understand that. I can empathise and they feel comfortable talking to me. They are our next generation of racing staff. If they are living well here, they will continue to do so.”
Kayleigh Greensmith rides out for trainer Charlie McBride and has lived at MacDonald Buchanan House for two years.
She said: “It’s been really good, I moved to Newmarket while I was still at the racing school so I’m lucky to have a home here otherwise I wouldn’t really have had anywhere to live… it’s good that there are people checking up on you, you know you’re not on your own. The money side of things has been helpful, I was speaking to Sarah just the other day about my Council Tax, she sat down with me and helped me with what to say to them and to organise it all because I’ve just turned 18 so I’ve not had to pay Council Tax before.
“I’ll be moving out in June 2022, and I feel like I’ve been well equipped to look after myself. I’m much more confident than I was before and I’m now going to rent elsewhere with new friends who I have met here.”
Ultimately, Racing Welfare relies upon grants and donations to provide valuable services like this to those working in the horseracing industry. Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive at Racing Welfare was keen to extend her grateful thanks to Dr Johnny Hon for his support, saying: “This generous funding will have a very real and positive impact upon the lives of these young people now and for many years to come. We can never underestimate the importance of young people experiencing a positive start to their careers and adult life, which is vital both for the individuals and the future of the racing industry.”
Dr Johnny Hon, owner of Global Group Racing, said:“I am delighted to back this project for the next three years. As a passionate racing fan and owner of Albert House Stables, I know the importance of supporting all the great people who make racing happen. Young people come into racing with a love of horses and a desire to share in the excitement of winning races, but they have not always been well supported and they can be vulnerable in their personal lives. This project makes a real difference and sets an example that should be copied elsewhere in racing communities.”
Racing Welfare
Racing Welfare leads the provision of human welfare services for people working in racing, from their recruitment right through to retirement and beyond. We provide professional guidance and practical help to the stud, stable and racecourse staff, and those in a broad range of associated roles whose dedication is vital to the wellbeing of racing.
Support is available for a wide range of life’s challenges, including physical health, mental health, bereavement, careers advice, housing, money advice, illness, addiction, relationships and retirement. Racing Welfare’s services are nationally accessible with offices in all of the main racing centres and roving Welfare Officers covering the whole of the country.
The charity owns 164 units of accommodation across the UK, with a focus on providing housing for young people working in racing and those who have retired from the industry which are managed by its housing arm, Racing Homes.
Racing’s Support Line, a multi-channel support platform, allows people to contact the charity online as well as through a 24hr telephone line.
Website: www.racingwelfare.co.uk | Racing’s Support Line: 0800 6300 443 | Online self-help resources: www.support.racingwelfare.co.uk
Global Group Racing
Global Group Racing Ltd is the brainchild of Dr Johnny Hon, who has been a committed fan and owner in UK racing since 1994 and has developed a growing passion for horse racing ever since. Dr Hon acquired Albert House Stables in November 2020 and simultaneously established Global Group Racing. With the bloodstock market being depressed by Covid-19, Dr Hon believed the timing was right to become more actively involved in the UK racing scene and formed a highly effective team, with Chris Dwyer as Trainer and Tim Hide as Racing Manager.
Global Group Racing has already built a reputation for winning in its first couple of years, with 28 winners last season and an overall strike rate of around 20%. As an advocate of technology, Dr Hon attributes this to a data-led training regime and Global Group Racing embraces all effective technology available in the racing industry while supporting research and development of new applications. Transparency is also at the heart of Global Group Racing. Owners are able to access all of the data that the team produces for their horses, so that the owner experience is inclusive and fun.
Located at the heart of Newmarket, on the doorstep of the renowned Warren Hill, the Global Group Racing team have developed innovative selection and training methods for horses and the boutique nature of the operation means that each horse is treated as an individual and given all the time and attention they need to reach their full potential.
Website: www.globalgroupracing.co.uk
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
She absolutely loves her job (how many people can say that?!) and is truly grateful to all supporters of and contributors to Eclipse Magazine.
If you are reading this she would like to say THANK YOU! (And please spread the word about Eclipse…!!)
