The Travel Franchise launches initiatives to help Ukraine

The home-based travel franchise matches the government’s £350 host a refugee initiative, plus, paid leave and support

In a three-pronged response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, The Travel Franchise has announced that it will be paying any member of its corporate staff £350 per month to host a Ukrainian family, in addition to the £350 they will receive from the government.

The company is also granting its employees fully paid leave to help with voluntary work to support Ukrainians, either locally or nationally. In addition, it is supporting its franchisees with any campaigns and fundraising efforts they want to commit to for helping Ukrainian people. The company will financially support the fundraising of its members, as well as offer the full support of the business and its trade and marketing teams behind them with access to advice, support, materials.

Steve Witt, co-founder of The Travel Franchise, says: “Every single one of us is eager to help ease the suffering of the Ukrainian people. As a large business, we have the ability to help too. The government’s Homes for Ukraine programme is good but only goes so far. With ever-increasing living costs, £350 doesn’t cover the outgoings. We have an incredibly passionate team who want to do their part but not everyone can afford it. That’s why we are pleased to match-fund the effort so that hosting becomes easier and more affordable.” 

Regarding the paid leave initiative Steve said: “Not everyone is in the position to host others in their home, but they want to do their bit to help. That is why we are also offering to assist fundraising efforts of our members both financially and with staff resources. Our employees have the option to take unlimited fully paid leave to enable them to assist in charitable efforts for Ukraine. Each request will be dependent on the team’s ability to accommodate the staff leave, but we will do our best and do our part.

“Ultimately we just want to do anything we can to help and make it easier for our staff and members to help and support too.”