Retail Trust partners with Kooth to provide mental health support for children and young adults

• Safe, confidential and non-judgemental digital mental health support for those aged 11 to 25
• Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Bolsters the Retail Trust’s health and wellbeing programme 

The Retail Trust has partnered with Kooth to provide digital mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people aged 11 to 25. Available immediately Kooth will ensure that retail workers up to the age of 25, and those with young dependants whose employers are wellbeing partners of the charity, will have access to safe and confidential digital mental health support

Kooth offers a safe and welcoming space to seek non-judgemental professional mental health support accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week – outside the usual 9 to 5.  In addition, it is the only digital mental health provider to hold a UK-wide accreditation from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This invaluable digital mental health platform will sit within the Retail Trust’s comprehensive health and wellbeing service.

The Retail Trust was founded in 1832 to create hope, health and happiness for everyone in retail. Its purpose is to ensure its members, and their employees, are empowered to live happier, healthier lives. Mental health has become a vital part of the Retail Trust’s health and wellbeing service  with the charity hosting Together Fest, its first wellbeing festival, during Mental Health Awareness Week. The event brought together 600 people working in retail with the aim of providing attendees with the tools to inspire, unite and live happier and healthier lives.

By partnering with Kooth and offering digital mental health support for children and young people, the Retail Trust is raising the bar on colleague wellbeing. Its forward-thinking health and wellbeing approach is going beyond the employees themselves ensuring access to invaluable mental health services are available to their dependents and loved ones.

Cliff Lee, Head of Wellbeing at the Retail Trust explained: “We’ve seen demand for the Retail Trust’s wellbeing and financial aid services reach their highest ever levels as a result of the turmoil facing retail workers over the last two years. Coming out of the pandemic and as people are forced to come to terms with the cost of living crisis and brutal war in Ukraine, it’s so important we find new ways of supporting people working in the industry as well as their families, to help them live happier and healthier lives.

“We believe our partnership with Kooth will bring even more help to the people Retail Trust supports every day as well as provide vital new resources to those in their care.”

Dr Lynne Green, Chief Clinical Officer at Kooth commented: “Unsettling global events such as the pandemic, emerging cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine are taking a toll on the mental health of the nation, not least those working in the retail industry and their families. It’s not often easy to ask for help for yourself or a loved one, but the Retail Trust is ensuring those aged 11 to 25 have a safe and confidential place to discuss their concerns. However big or small the issue, Kooth is available when and where it is needed. Our team of experienced clinical practitioners and professional counsellors provide mental health support at a range of levels. No matter the issue or situation, Kooth is here to help.

“We are proud to be able to support this forward-thinking charity. The Retail Trust is really raising the bar when it comes to the health and wellbeing programme it offers to its members, employees and their dependents.”

Once a user is registered, Kooth can be accessed via any internet-connected device such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet. A wide range of counselling and wellbeing support is provided including one-on-one sessions with fully-trained and qualified practitioners. Running from midday to 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 10pm on the weekend, appointments can be booked in advance or accessed via a drop-in text-based chat.

In addition, self-help articles, forums, and discussion boards are also available – with content that is appropriate for the relevant age groups and is moderated and approved by medical experts. Kooth users can keep an online journal and monitor their wellbeing via an interactive goal tracker.