The report emphasizes the increasing demand for our services and the crucial role they play in providing essential assistance to colleagues in the sector.
Our charity dedicated £5.6m to support colleagues, including £642,000 granted for School Essentials. This funding ensured that over 2,340 children had the necessary equipment and clothing as they returned to school in September 2022.
Furthermore, we introduced the Cost of Living Grant in January 2023, providing a one-time payment of £300 to eligible households. Within the first 10 weeks, 357 Cost of Living Grants were awarded.
Our charity’s free and confidential helpline received over 10,000 calls from colleagues, resulting in more than 5,000 in-the-moment counseling sessions with BACP accredited counselors. In addition, there was a 14% increase in referrals for legal advice from Law Express, and we delivered over 1,280 Relate counseling sessions.
Allan Leighton, president of GroceryAid, emphasized our commitment to ensuring that our services remain free, confidential, and accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. This enables us to be the most relevant and easily accessible source of help for everyone in the grocery industry who requires support.
Mandi Leonard, welfare director at GroceryAid, expressed her delight in helping a record number of colleagues within the grocery industry during a time when support is most needed. Our holistic approach involves working closely with colleagues to understand their challenges and improve their situations.
In conclusion, the report showcases the significant impact of our services on supporting colleagues in the grocery sector. We remain dedicated to meeting the needs of our industry and making a positive difference in their lives.
