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How the horseracing industry is working to save lives through mental health support

This article comes fresh off the back of Racing Welfare’s Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, which gained support from stakeholders across the industry and led to several open conversations about mental health and the importance of looking after our own, and each other’s wellbeing.

With one in four people affected, mental health awareness must not be confined to one week in the year – it is a concept we need to embrace and embed into our working culture 365 days of the year. Racing Welfare is working hard to achieve this through its programme of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England accredited training courses.

The charity runs heavily subsidised Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Awareness courses up and down the country, both online and in-person. Usually priced at £300 for the two-day first aid training, and £125 for the half-day awareness course, those working in the racing and breeding industries can book for just £80 and £30 respectively.

Courses are heavily subsidised thanks to the fundraising efforts of Simon Jones. Simon tragically lost his son Tim to suicide in 2019, at the age of just 17. Tim was a popular member of the horseracing community and a member of the team at Micky Hammond’s training yard in Middleham, North Yorkshire. Since the tragedy, Simon has taken on various fundraising challenges to support Racing Welfare’s Mental Health First Aid courses, raising more than £25,000 to date.

Mental Health Awareness Week gets the horseracing industry talking

Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week: 09 – 16 May 2022

Stakeholders across the industry engaged in conversations around mental health and loneliness last week in support of the National Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, led by Racing Welfare on behalf of the horseracing industry.

Racecourses across the country showed their support with race titles dedicated to the cause and staff sporting the green ribbon on their clothing.

The campaign film, which can be viewed below, produced by Racing Welfare and Equine Productions, was also played at racecourses up and down the country as well as across social media channels of racing’s key stakeholders.

Mental Health Awareness Week – Simon Bailey

The theme of this years Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. The thought that loneliness is closely linked to poor mental health is a sad one. Feelings of loneliness are personal and differ from person to person. There can be times when we are in a room full of friends, seemingly enjoying ourselves, but deep down have a sense of being alone.

I am writing this blog alone. There are times during our day when we can get on with our ‘to do’ list without distractions from anyone else and this is one of those times for me. Being alone for a time can be healthy. It can be a time for reading and reflection, meditation, listening to music or listening to nature. All these things enable good mental health. In my times alone I can concentrate better, but I know that being alone for a while is fine because I am not lonely. Family is the reason that I am not permanently lonely – it is reassuring to know that during the day I have someone who will make sure I am okay.

For some, though, there is no family to check in on them. At Racing Welfare we have seen how our Check-In and Chat phone calls have made a huge difference to people’s lives. Beneficiaries knowing that they are going to receive a call during the week from someone who is interested in hearing their stories has been quite a success. And the good news is we can all take time out of our schedules to contact someone who is on our mind. Not only will we feel the benefits of this ourselves but, more importantly, the people that we contact will feel cared for, too – it might be the only call they get all week. Loneliness really is one of the saddest themes I have spoken about – it is also one of the easiest topics to correct. I urge you all to think about someone this week who might benefit from a check-in, either in person or by phone. We are relational creatures who thrive in partnerships. Let’s enable somebody else to thrive this week.

 

Simon Bailey, Chaplain to Horseracing

Caitlin’s Story – Woebot

Caitlin turned to Racing Welfare for emotional support after starting her first full-time job in racing. She has been working at Micky Hammond’s Oakwood Stables in Middleham since early 2021, helping on the yard and riding out.

Not only was this Caitlin’s first full-time job, but also her first time living away from her family. She said: “I was only 16 at the time, and I was missing home and finding it hard to socialise. The assistant trainer put me in contact with Racing Welfare so I went to the Middleham office for a few chats with Gail (Welfare Officer).”

Caitlin was referred to Woebot – Racing Welfare’s easy-to-use app that enables users to access in-the-moment emotional support 24/7. Woebot checks in with you daily, and can help to track mood, identify patterns and give insight into particular issues or concerns. It helps to give users the tools to manage thoughts and feelings during periods of stress or anxiety.

Caitlin found Woebot helped her in a number of ways:

Racing’s workplaces encouraged to set aside time for #TeaAndTalk in tackling loneliness

Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week: 09 – 16 May 2022

Racing Welfare has today announced plans for their 2022 Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, beginning on Monday 9th May.  The charity leads the horseracing industry’s response to the national initiative which is run by the Mental Health Foundation and which this year follows the theme of loneliness.

Tying into this theme, workplaces across the horseracing and thoroughbred breeding industries will be encouraged throughout the week to set aside time during their working day to take part in the #TeaAndTalk initiative. The initiative promotes an awareness of not just your own mental wellbeing, but the wellbeing of others around you with simple yet impactful action.

Mental Health Awareness Week aims to promote open conversations on all aspects of mental health with Racing Welfare’s campaign specifically raising awareness of the mental health services offered by the charity.

ARC Middleham Open Day set to welcome thousands on Good Friday

Middleham is preparing to welcome thousands of people to its hugely popular open day in less than three weeks time.

The North Yorkshire racing centre will host the Arena Racing Company (ARC) Middleham Open Day on Good Friday, 15th April, providing a full day of yard visits and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

12 local trainers will open their doors to the public, giving exclusive access to their top-class facilities and horses in their care.

Gemma Hogg, assistant trainer to Micky Hammond is looking forward to the day. She said: “We’ve been involved with Middleham for many years now. It’s a good way for people to see the other side of racing and gain a better knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes. The staff are all really friendly and we’re a bit like a family here. We’ll be opening one yard with around 46 horses, and it’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the horses.”

Importantly, the event will raise vital funds for organisers Racing Welfare, who provide a wide range of advice and support services for people working in or retired from racing who make our amazing sport possible.

Caitlin is one such person who turned to Racing Welfare for support. She has been working at Micky Hammond’s Oakwood Stables for just over a year now, helping out on the yard and riding out.

It was her first full-time job, but also her first time living away from her family. She said: “I was only 16 at the time, and I was missing home and finding it hard to socialise. The assistant trainer put me in contact with Racing Welfare so I went to the Middleham office for a few chats with Gail (Welfare Officer).”

Caitlin was referred to Woebot – Racing Welfare’s easy-to-use app that enables users to access in-the-moment emotional support 24/7. Woebot checks in with you daily, and can help to track mood, identify patterns and give insight into particular issues or concerns. It helps to give users the tools to manage thoughts and feelings during periods of stress or anxiety.

Caitlin found Woebot helped her in a number of ways: “It really helped me with being away from home. I wasn’t sleeping, which meant I was tired and stressed out going to work and everything was difficult. Using Woebot meant that I got everything off my mind before I went to bed, so I could go to sleep without thinking about everything.

“I’ve been using it for about six months now and still use it every day – plus I know Gail is only up the road if I need someone to talk to. I’m not as homesick as I was, and I’ve got a few friendship groups now so I don’t feel like I’m stuck.

“If anyone feels like they need support, I’d definitely recommend speaking to Racing Welfare. Just go in. It has cheered me up, made me relax, and enjoying my job even more because I’m enjoying my life outside of racing too.”

Caitlin visited an open day when she was younger and is looking forward to being a part of ARC Middleham Open Day this year. She said: “People see horses on the racetrack but they don’t often get to see behind the scenes, so it’s a great opportunity to see the love and attention that these horses get in their daily lives.”    

Yards will be opening from 9:30am-1pm, with a host of activities to follow on Middleham’s Low Moor including a Retraining of Racehorses demo and the Aiskew Equine and Pet Supplies Dog Show.

Tickets are on sale at a discounted advance rate £12.50 for adults and £8.50 for concessions if purchased before 14 April, with under 16s enjoying free admission.

Go to www.middlehamopenday.co.uk for all the information or to book.

Racing Welfare appoints team of experts to roll out industry wellbeing programme

Employers in British horseracing are being urged to sign up to Racing Welfare’s award-winning Workforce Wellbeing Programme (WWP) to secure the future of these vital services for the good health of people and businesses across the industry.

A team of three industry experts have been appointed to speak to key stakeholders about how they can get involved and avail of the programme’s far-reaching benefits. The trio consists of former jockey and Sky Sports Racing presenter Hayley Moore, Eimear Grant who has a wealth of experience across the industry including jointly managing Mark Grant Racing with her husband, and racehorse owner, GP, racing fan and the man behind the Fergal O’Brien’s Twitter account Dr Simon Gillson.

The comprehensive support package for racing’s people was launched by Racing Welfare in 2019 and has since helped thousands of individuals and their employers across the industry, playing an important role in supporting wellbeing within racing’s workforce through increasing staff retention, enhancing morale and reducing lost working hours through absence.

Previously entirely funded through grants from The Racing Foundation, Racing Welfare is now seeking to establish sustainable funding for the Workforce Wellbeing Programme through employer contributions at a highly subsidised rate of just £1.20 per person per week – a fraction of the cost of alternative employee assistance programmes but bespoke to the industry, and with an undisputed track record at producing good health outcomes for racing’s workforce.

The programme can be accessed by anyone working within the industry, whether that be in racing yards, studs, racecourses or in numerous auxiliary roles. It provides rapid access to mental and occupational health services plus careers and training advice. Importantly for employers, the range of bespoke services play an important role in business objectives, reducing periods of ill health and time off work for individuals through mental and physical wellness support and supporting people to remain within the industry.

Dr Simon Gillson said: “The scope of the Workforce Wellbeing Programme is incredible and provides rapid and tangible help for the health concerns racing staff are increasingly known to face. This programme, protecting all racing’s human participants, paints the industry in an excellent light.

“In general society, stress, anxiety and depression are responsible for over 50% of days off work and the average time of absence is thought to be between 25-30 days. The WWP is perfectly designed to tackle this within the racing industry.”

Among those already signed up to the programme are The Jockey Club, Juddmonte, Racing Digital and Chasemore Farm Stud.

Office Manager at Chasemore, Kerry Harrison said: “Firstly, owners Andrew and Jane are very much in support of ensuring staff have the best of advice and support, whether that relates to mental health, physical health or even career development. Our employees already make use of the support system and it’s really nice that they can speak to Racing Welfare confidentially if they have an issue of any kind, and they know it doesn’t come through the office.

“Happy staff make happy horses; we’re like a big family here. The team work hard and as a company it’s good to know that our staff are well looked after as best as possible.”

By continuing to ensure funding for the WWP, Racing Welfare aims to demonstrate a real commitment to the health and wellbeing of the staff who are the heartbeat of the racing industry. The programme has been designed by people who understand the issues faced by staff, is already fit for purpose and has the scope to deal with higher numbers of inbound calls so that more individuals can benefit from it.

Further information for employers can be found at https://racingwelfare.co.uk/workforce-wellbeing-programme/

Paul’s Story – Mental Health First Aid Courses

In conjunction with Mental Health First Aid England, Racing Welfare runs national mental health training courses allowing racing staff to take part in either a half-day training course or a more in-depth two-day course to become a qualified Mental Health First Aider. The courses are designed to give an understanding of what mental health is and the confidence to support someone in distress who may be experiencing a mental health issue.

Paul’s Story of becoming a MHFAider®

Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

Racing Welfare has today announced plans for their 2021 Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, beginning on Monday 10th May.  We are proud to be leading the racing industry’s response to the national initiative which is run by the Mental Health Foundation and which this year follows the theme of Nature.

Dawn Goodfellow said “Mental Health Awareness Week is a hugely important campaign for us and the industry as a whole and we are proud to lead the initiative on behalf of racing again this year.  I hope that the week raises awareness of the help available through Racing Welfare and that anyone in need of support feels able to get in touch with us.”