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Best Small Shops' "Meet the Innovators" series kicks off with Jacobs the Jewellers following their successful reopening

15 Jul 2020

Our ‘Meet the Innovators' series will highlight some of the small shops that did something special during this difficult time, starting with Jacobs the Jewellers, who are based in Reading.... Read more…

IRC creates Independent Retailers Rent Survey

15 Jul 2020

Complete the survey now to help inform our lobbying with Government, provide us with an idea of what is happening across the market and bringsome much needed media attention to the plight of... Read more…

Government funding announcement perfectly timed with ACA new apprenticeship standard launch

9 Jul 2020

With the additional Government funding and Activate Cycle Academy's launch of a brand new apprenticeship standard for bicycle mechanics there has never been a better time to take on an... Read more…

CMA's Digital Markets Taskforce call launched

8 Jul 2020

The Competition and Markets Authority is leading a Digital Markets Taskforce to provide advice to the Government on the potential design and implementation of pro-competitive measures for... Read more…

Mental health in independent retail

8 Jul 2020

Coronavirus is clearly having a huge impact on retail workers but one ofthe impacts that is often overlooked is its effect on the mental wellbeing of those working in our stores.
Read more…

Government Response Call for Evidence on Violence and Abuse towards shop staff

7 Jul 2020

The Government has now published its response to the Call for Evidence on Violence and Abuse towards shop staff which closed in June 2019.
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Best Small Shops competition 2020 relaunched with new COVID-19 innovation category

2 Jul 2020

Innovative indie retailers who adapt their business to combat the impact of Covid-19 are to be recognised in a special category in Britain's Best Small Shops competition 2020
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Business and Planning Bill published in the House of Commons

2 Jul 2020

The Government has published the Business and Planning Bill in the Houseof Commons designed to make provision relating to the promotion of economic recovery and growth.
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The Maybe* 2020 Retail Report investigating what shoppers want

1 Jul 2020

To gauge the intentions of the British public, Maybe* has gathered 20,000 answers from regions across the UK to understand if and when they'll return to the shops, and what their concerns... Read more…

The continued effects of lockdown on UK shoppers

24 Jun 2020

Recent research has investigated how consumer behaviour has developed over the past few months as people have adapted their shopping styles tothe lockdown
Read more…

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Mental health in independent retail

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Coronavirus is clearly having a huge impact on retail workers, but one of the impacts that is often overlooked is its effect on the mental wellbeing of those working in our stores.

Since the beginning of the crisis, many independent retailers and their staff have been working long hours and unfamiliar shift patterns, while others are now adjusting to returning to work after a long period of time off.

Talking Retail recently published an interview with Nisa retailer and Samaritan volunteer Harj Dhasee who explained that "We all do our best, but we don't always talk on an emotional level. I've been volunteering with the Samaritans for about a year and a half, so I know how important it is to talk. In normal times, everyone has different ways of coping, whether that's playing sport or going to the pub with your mates. But with the lockdown, all of that disappeared. There's a lot of pressure on our staff and they haven't had their normal support structures around them. There's been a lot of anxiety, uncertainty and frustration."

The article urged employers to consider reaching out to their employees and encourage them to talk about any problems they may be experiencing. Employees will often not feel confident in speaking up, so a manager making the first move to open a dialogue can be key. Regular catch-ups or supervisions are an opportunity to start the conversation. Questions should be simple, open and non-judgemental to give the employee ample opportunity to explain the situation in their own words, examples of which could be:

  • How are you doing at the moment?
  • You seem to be a bit down/upset/under pressure.
  • Is everything OK?
  • Is there anything I can do to help?
  • What support do you think might be useful?
Rehab 4 Addiction have created an informational guide with the aim of it being one of many stepping stones for those struggling and their loved ones to better understand their situation and lead them to find a safe and supportive environment, especially during the pandemic.
 
The following companies can also be contacted for additional support for those struggling:
 
Mental health for small workplaces: A collection of resources for small and medium-sized businesses is available online, including practical tools, e-learning and a mobile app.
Website: https://tinyurl.com/yazzqpt2

The Samaritans: A well-known organisation has a free helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering immediate help for anyone who is struggling. It recently launched a self-help app to suggest practical support and enable people to track their moods. It also offers workplace-specific support.
Telephone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: samaritans.org


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