As part of World Mental Health Day (10th October) ACS is reminding retailers about the resources and services that they can access to help manage their mental health and wellbeing.
ACS has developed a Wellbeing Guide which provides convenience retailers of all sizes with practical advice about supporting wellbeing to staff stores effectively, covering shop floor colleagues to business owners.
The guide covers a range of areas, including:
- Working Environment – creating a friendly, welcoming store environment
- Relationships & Connections – the quality of relationships at work
- Health – mental health and physical health
- Learning – skills for the workplace, confidence and self-esteem
- Work & Life Balance – linked to job-related attitudes and morale
- Personal & Purpose – satisfaction with life and the things we do
- Colleague Voice – demonstrating respect and trust
- Personal Finance – control over incomes and outgoings
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops are embedded in the communities that they serve and play a key role in the lives of their customers, providing access not only to essential products and services but acting as a social hub for those who may be more isolated or vulnerable.
Findings from this year’s Community Barometer revealed that convenience stores are ranked as the having the most positive impact locally, followed by pharmacies and post offices.
Mr Lowman continued: “We are reminding retailers to check in with themselves and their colleagues and ensure that mental health is a priority in their business and to ensure that people know where to turn if they are in need of help and support.”
ACS is also reminding retailers about the support that they can access through GroceryAid, a national charity offering emotional, financial and practical advice and support on a range of issues for all grocery colleagues and their immediate families.
GroceryAid also has a free 24/7 helpline and live chat service that grocery colleagues can use to access support, more information is available here.
