Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
GroceryAid welfare director Mandi Leonard told Independent Retail News the service has seen a huge increase in calls. “We are up about 100% compared with the same month last year,” she said.
At the start of April, the service was upgraded to offer callers immediate access to trained counsellors, as well as the option of more structured therapy sessions.
“At the start of the Covid crisis, we had a lot of calls from colleagues who were nervous about being in-store. It was about things like managing worries and preventing burnout.
“There have been a lot of emotional concerns around Covid, a lot of worry and anxiety.
“We have also had calls from grocery colleagues and their partners around furlough and self-isolation and the impact on family budgets and we’ve been able to help with benefits advice.”
The charity has also been busy helping independent convenience retailers, who lack the back-up of a large HR department.
“We’ve seen independent retailers contacting us through their symbol groups and through the wholesalers, who we work with very closely,” Leonard said.
“Sometimes it’s the independents that can really benefit.”
Nisa retailer Harj Dhasee, who runs two stores in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, said he had spoken to staff who were “not coping very well” with the pandemic.
He encouraged them to seek support from the Samaritans, for whom Dhasee has been volunteering for the past 18 months.
He said: “We all do our best, but we don’t always talk on an emotional level.
“There’s a lot of pressure on our staff and they haven’t had their normal support structures around them. There’s been a lot of anxiety, uncertainty and frustration.”
The Association of Convenience Stores recently urged retailers and their staff to contact the GroceryAid helpline if they need support.
The Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123
GroceryAid Helpline
Telephone: 08088 021 122
