Foodservice workers can now access financial and welfare support

Foodservice wholesalers are being urged to look after the mental health and wellbeing of their teams this Christmas after an incredibly difficult year for the sector.

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has worked with GroceryAid to extend the charity’s financial and welfare support to individuals who work for the Federation’s foodservice members. Those who work for retail wholesalers are already entitled to GroceryAid’s assistance.

“GroceryAid provides advice, support and financial assistance to everyone working in the grocery sector, including wholesalers,” said David Visick, FWD’s Director of Communications “This year, due to the challenges currently being faced by the hospitality sector, they have very kindly offered to extend their financial and welfare assistance to foodservice wholesale colleagues within FWD who may need support as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.”

Simon Hannah, MD of JW Filshill and Chairman of Unitas Wholesale, believes that everyone in the foodservice sector should be aware of the need to offer support to their teams, particularly at this time of year.

“One of the things that’s been really apparent to our business during this period is that mental wellness is so important and any business which is ignoring that is doing so at their peril,” he said.

“There’s no question that everyone’s going to need some help in this area, some more than others. Anyone who’s not thinking about the mental wellbeing of their colleagues and customers really should be – it’s absolutely key to creating a stable platform for individuals, for families, and for businesses.

“In the last few weeks we’ve had 18 of our staff go through mental health first aid courses, and the uplift in goodwill and the feeling of support, not just within the business but for them and their families, has been incredible – I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Access to emotional and practical support through the Helpline and GroceryAid website is available to everyone working in the sector. To be eligible for consideration for financial support  individuals should be able to show a minimum of one years’ service in foodservice wholesale – either currently employed or recently unemployed due to Covid-19 impact. It does not need to be with one employer.

GroceryAid’s support for wholesalers can be accessed here.

covid-19 David Visick Foodservice GroceryAid hospitality Simon Hannah