UK foodbanks bring in mental health support to aid workers amidst food crisis

Foodbanks in Britain have reportedly been buying in mental health support from counsellors, private GPs, and additional support services to help their staff and volunteers with the pressure and exhaustion as a consequence of the large spike in need for emergency food support. Workers are suffering from burnout at a huge level as they face the front lines of a food crisis encompassing the UK, particularly in deprived areas.

Over 2,000 Trussell Trust foodbank staff and volunteers are now able to access a ‘package of health and wellbeing support’ following a £30,000 investment, including aid with fatigue, mental health first aid, face-to-face GP/counsellor appointments, and helpline access provided by Samaritans. A number of independent foodbank charities have also adopted similar support systems.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “We felt at the start of this year it was getting worse and worse for staff and volunteers. We don’t want to professionalise this, but we have a duty of care and we had to take action to protect our people. At the end of the day there is no food bank without our volunteers.” .