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Long waiting times for public mental health services has led to the launch of a new fund to provide private support to tourism and hospitality workers in Jersey who may be struggling.
The initiative, Mindful Serve, aims to help people in the industry take the ‘first step’ in reaching out and seeking help.
Set up by Head of Hospitality and Tourism at Jersey Business, Simon Soar, the fund will help those struggling with their mental health, domestic abuse or alcohol and substance problems to gain access to private support.
Fundraising has already begun and the initiative hopes to raise £2,000 through their JustGiving page. The total currently stands at £520.
Pictured: The initiative was set up by Head of Hospitality and Tourism at Jersey Business, Simon Soar.
Mr Soar stressed that working in the hospitality and tourism industry involves unsocial hours, meaning people miss opportunities to process what they are going through via social interactions.
“Sometimes it leads to people ending up in a place they don’t want to be, and I hope this will give them options.
“The waiting time for publicly available services is longer than some people need. If you are at the point where you are speaking out, that is the point at which you need help.”
Pictured: Mindful Serve will raise funds to provide a 24/7 helpline.
Founder of WellBeing World, Beverley Le Cuirot, will work with the fund and a team of professional mental health practitioners to provide a 24/7 helpline.
“Wellbeing is an individual matter and having access to choose services is essential,” she said. “Through our extensive range of practitioners, we will be able to provide a listening ear and choice of wellbeing support, in person, online or via an app if preferred.”
Mindful Serve also organises a regular ‘Coffee Club’, with the aim of giving people an opportunity to talk to like-minded industry colleagues about challenges they might be facing.
Mr Soar added: “It’s simply about recognising that we have got to look out for our industry colleagues and friends.”
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