Grocery Aid: Help is at hand

GroceryAid has been providing emotional, practical and financial support for people working in the grocery industry since 1857

Did you know that any colleague working in the grocery industry can access free and confidential emotional and practical support, plus financial advice, from the first day of their employment? Then, after six months of continuous employment, colleagues may even be eligible for one of GroceryAid’s non-repayable financial grants.

Colleagues working in any area of the industry can access GroceryAid’s support, which includes manufacturing, supermarkets, independents, wholesalers, distribution, sales and all support functions.

Acknowledging that something isn’t right can be the first step towards making a positive change.

CALLING GROCERYAID’S HELPLINE

To access these services, colleagues can call the free, confidential helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 08088 021 122.

GroceryAid’s helpline is answered by BACP-accredited counsellors who will provide immediate emotional support and guidance about services that may be of help. More than 200 languages are supported through the helpline, on request.

The counsellor will discuss the situation and guide the caller through the support that is most appropriate. There may be several areas of support that GroceryAid can provide. Some examples of how a call may be handled are explained right.

EXAMPLES OF HOW A CALL MAY BE HANDLED

OUTCOME 1
The initial call with the counsellor will provide the support needed in that moment. It may be that no further support is needed after this.

OUTCOME 2
The counsellor may recommend a further assessment to see if counselling may be beneficial.

If it is, colleagues could receive six free sessions of structured counselling, either face to face or on the telephone for them or their family. GroceryAid partners with Relate to deliver these sessions.

OUTCOME 3
The situation may be more appropriately supported by one of GroceryAid’s partners or an alternative service such as StepChange for debt support, GamCare for gambling, MoneyHelper for tools and advice on managing money, or a Citizens Advice-trained telephone specialist for support in basic consumer rights and law.

The helpline counsellor may also refer the caller to a charity or specialist organisation with expertise for a specific issue, which could include their local GP or alternative NHS services.

FINALLY
Colleagues will be assured that no matter what route is taken, they can always use the helpline for any immediate emotional support they may need in the future, at any time of the day or night.

Find out more about GroceryAid and the services it offers by visiting groceryaid.org.uk or follow GroceryAid on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn