GroceryAid establishes a £1.5 million COVID-19 Fund

GroceryAid has established a £1.5 million COVID-19 Fund to provide enhanced support for grocery colleagues during this unprecedented period.

“In the current COVID-19 crisis we know that colleagues throughout our sector are being impacted emotionally and financially,” said Mandi Leonard, GroceryAid welfare director.

“GroceryAid is proud to have launched the COVID-19 Fund to help those affected through our 24/7 Helpline and financial grants programmes.”

The GroceryAid Helpline (08088 021 122) is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and includes the following services:

Mental Health Support

Offering emotional and practical support from BACP-trained counsellors for grocery colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress; also offering a health & wellbeing portal, and Woebot, a ‘friendly AI Robot app’. This service is available to all grocery colleagues from day one of working in the industry.

Bereavement Financial Assistance

Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through COVID-19. Available to grocery colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of COVID-19 whilst working in the industry.

Crisis Grants

Available for grocery colleagues that face unexpected financial emergencies due to COVID-19. Crisis grants are accessible to colleagues with a year’s industry service and are non-repayable.

Steve Barnes, GroceryAid CEO, commented: “Our industry has been tested like never before and colleagues have risen to the challenge. We are proud that this fund enables us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who now need help as a direct consequence of COVID-19.”

Tel: GroceryAid (01252) 875925