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Licensed Trade Charity offers 3 months’ free access to mental wellbeing app
The LTC, which has provided support for pub, bar and breweries for more than 200 years, announced that it will allow free-of-charge access to Woebot after seeing requests for practical advice, emotional support and financial grants increase by more than 300% in March 2020 versus the previous year.
Provided by CareFirst, which delivers the LTC’s 24/7 helpline, Woebot is a personal, emotional guide that will check in with the user on a daily basis to see how they are doing and provide regular stimulus. It helps users from the licensed trade track their mood, change their thinking, set goals and practice mindfulness.
The app uses cognitive behavioural technology to evaluate the caller’s mood before assisting them re-frame negative thoughts. The automated service is also geared to recognise ‘crisis’ language that will trigger the user to be directed to an accredited counsellor.
What’s more, the LTC has modified Woebot to give specific support during the Covid-19 crisis and will work with users to reduce stress, combat isolation and help support with symptoms of anxiety and depression while the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants remain closed.
“At a time when our sector balances huge emotional and economic pressures, it continues to pull together, collaborate and support each other. I’m so pleased to be able to offer this tool, free of charge, to further support their mental wellbeing at this incredibly difficult time,” LTC chief executive officer Jim Brewster explained.
As reported by The Morning Advertiser, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the UK’s pubs would not reopen until at least 4 July after closing on 20 March amid the outbreak of Covid-19.
Since Johnson called last orders, actor, producer and drinks maker Ryan Reynolds announced that almost a third of his gin brand’s online sales will be donated to The Drinks Trust in an effort to support bar staff through the Covid-19 pandemic.
What’s more, Kris Hall, director of The Burnt Chef Project, stated that the lockdown period presents a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for pub employers to ensure their workplace protects staff mental health.
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