The CTBF is the British trade charity of the film, cinema and commercial television industries including cable and satellite. A quarter of a million people work in these industries and this organisation is our trade charity. I'd heard about the CTBF over the years but never fully appreciated the incredibly important work these people do until recently when they helped someone I knew but had lost touch with many years ago. I am going to make a personal donation because it's an extraordinary organisation, but that's not why I'm telling you about them. I just want to make sure that you all know who they are and what they do, so here goes.

The CTBF has for the past 80 years provided 'care behind the scenes' to workers of the British film, commercial television, cable, satellite and affiliated industries. This means that they can help support anyone from the industry – from the idea right through to the archive of it. You just have to be in the industry for 2 years. The CTBF exists to assist people in our industry who need help, guidance and financial support in bad times - if you are struggling to make ends meet through lack of work, illness or an accident. You do not need to be a member, but your need must be genuine - and they check what you tell them. They gave a lifeline to the woman I was telling you about - and quickly. But it’s not just about that. The CTBF is also about the future. They’ve helped and supported a lot of people who want to learn additional skills through training or retraining.

If you would like to know more, then go to their website: www.ctbf.co.uk.