On World Mental Health Day (10 October), seven leading retailers have united in an effort to improve the mental wellbeing of staff with the help of Samaritans. In a UK industry-first, the group is launching a new online training guide to help the mental health and wellbeing of retail workers.
Funded by the John Lewis Partnership, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASOS, the Co-op, M&S and Next, and developed with Samaritans, Wellbeing in Retail aims to aid the 2.9 million people working in retail.
The online guide will help workers look after their own mental health. It will also give advice on how to support others and where to go for extra help.
The development of the online guide follows joint research from the John Lewis Partnership, M&S, the Co-op and Next. Findings revealed over 50% of the 2,000 retail workers questioned couldn’t recognise the signs of someone needing emotional support. Furthermore, around 25% would not feel confident approaching an upset colleague.
Accessible via desktop, phone or tablet, Wellbeing in Retail features practical information and suggestions. It also includes activities, resources and tools such as breathing techniques. Plus, the Samaritans’ listening wheel, a mood barometer, films from mental health experts and case studies.
Workers can access the guide as often as they like; using it to help build their own emotional resilience and to give them the courage and confidence to support someone else.
Commenting is Sir Cary Cooper CBE, who specialises in organisational psychology and health and is supporting the guide’s launch. “We spend a third of our lives at work; it’s inevitable that it can impact our overall health and wellbeing. In my opinion, you can never provide enough mental health support at work. I welcome the launch of this guide as it could benefit so many retail workers.”
Also commenting is Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. “Mental health issues can affect us all. Stigmas and barriers that once prevented people talking about the issues are starting to erode. The world of work and retail in particular is fast-paced and constantly changing. We want employees to feel supported. I hope this guide is a stepping stone to creating further conversations on mental health; giving workers the confidence to use it when they may need it.”
Ruth Sutherland, chief executive of Samaritans, adds: “It’s so encouraging to see retailers come together like this for the first time in the interest of improving their staff’s mental health. Over recent years, we have seen a real step-change in the attitudes and behaviours of employers as they actively seek to address how they can improve wellbeing in the workplace. We are proud to be part of making this transition happen.”
The launch of the Wellbeing in Retail tool complements Samaritans’ Wellbeing in the Workplace online learning programme.
The programme was launched in 2018, initially for City workers, with the help of The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. It has now been successfully rolled out to over 800 organisations.
For more information about the Wellbeing in Retail guide click here. Additionally, if you know of a retailer who would benefit, please contact corporateteam@samaritans.org.
