The charity GroceryAid, which supports workers in all areas of the grocery sector and offers help 24 hours a day, is raising awareness of its services with its annual GroceryAid Day.
The organisation, which offers a confidential helpline, plus financial and practical support to staff in shops, wholesalers, manufacturing and distribution firms, says just 4% of workers in the sector are aware of its existence. The charity is seeking to grow its profile so that those in need know they have somewhere to turn during difficult times.
In the 2024/25 financial year GroceryAid provided record levels of support, up 67% on the previous year, and spent £6.5m on helping those working in the sector, with this figure spread across grants, counselling, debt and legal advice. The charity’s helpline, meanwhile, which can be reached on 08088 021122, delivered more than 5,300 in-the-moment counselling sessions.
Some 193 firms leant their support to GroceryAid Day 2025, and the charity hopes to double that number this year. Retailers looking to join the cause are encouraged to order free printed materials to display in staffrooms, on factory floors, around shops and elsewhere.
Chief executive Kieran Hemsworth said said that while the charity sees the difference it makes “every day”, its help can only be delivered to “people who know we are here”.
He added: “There are hundreds of thousands of grocery workers who have no idea that free, confidential support is available to them. GroceryAid Day is the industry’s chance to change that.”
