Industry charity GroceryAid has bolstered its 24/7 freephone Helpline with new counselling services offering emotional and mental health support amid the coronaviris crisis.

Grocery aid

The confidential Helpline now has trained counsellors answering calls to provide immediate emotional support for grocery industry colleagues who are worried or anxious.

For those who need in-depth support with mental health, structured counselling services are also available.

These programmes start with six one-to-one phone counselling sessions and, if further support is required, there is a newly introduced option of face to face sessions, as soon as current restrictions are lifted. 

The service simultaneously provides an online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme which is supported by trained advisors.

The service also offers support to managers on topics such as managing change, traumatic and critical incidents and effective workplace performance.

GroceryAid said it was anticipating a steep increase in both calls to its enhanced Helpline and applications for financial support as colleagues are impacted by Covid-19.

GroceryAid welfare director Mandi Leonard said: “More than ever before, GroceryAid’s support for colleagues throughout the grocery industry is vital to help them cope with the impact of Covid-19 on them and their families.”

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GroceryAid Helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year