NEW APP LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE TAILORED 24/7 SUPPORT FOR RACING’S PEOPLE

The horseracing industry’s human welfare charity, Racing Welfare, has today launched a brand-new app which makes it easier than ever for racing’s people to access 24/7 support.

In line with the charity’s wider service provision, the innovative app is designed specifically for anyone working in or retired from the British horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industries – people like Archie who works for Kingsclere trainer, Andrew Balding. Archie said: “The app is really useful, everything you need is there, I will definitely make use of it. It’s much easier to use the app than the website – I think everyone in racing should download it! Even if you don’t need [Racing Welfare’s services] at the time, just having it on your phone means it’s always there if you need it in future and it’s a reminder.”

Archie trialled the app alongside several of his colleagues at Park House Stables at the end of 2022. He also commented on the sometimes-personal nature of seeking Racing Welfare’s support: “It’s good to know that the support is there if you need it. Having the app means that you can search for help yourself and in private if you are worried about potentially getting someone else involved with something that’s on your mind.”

The Racing Welfare app is designed purely for users to access information, advice, and support services whenever they need it and is the first of its kind in the industry. Through a simple sign-up process and selecting their key interests and preferences, users’ feeds will be tailored with topics that are important to them. The app will also enable the charity to send push notifications directly to those who might benefit the most from a new service or support article; for example, someone who is interested in financial support could receive a notification when a new grant is launched.

Another member of staff at Kingsclere’s headquarters to trial the app was Hostel Manager, Charlotte Clarke who said: “I look at the app as someone who potentially might need to access support services on behalf of someone else, as well as for myself from time-to-time.

“There’s a lot of information on there. It’s comforting to know there’s another access point into Racing Welfare’s services if needed – it’s something that will help me if I need to signpost our young people to find support for themselves.”

Importantly, the app gives users the ability to access services at the touch of a button at any time, including speaking to trained counsellors via a live web chat or connecting to the support line.

Racing Welfare’s Regional Welfare Manager, Brian Watson said: “I’m really excited that we are introducing our new app to the racing world today. It’s a super resource for anyone who might need to access our services – all the information you can get from our welfare teams can be found on the app. I particularly think that the discrete route into our services that the app offers is going to be of huge value to racing staff, as well as the ability to connect with a counsellor at the touch of a button, whether at work, travelling to the races or at home. It really is like carrying a welfare officer with you in your pocket – there’s no better way to describe it! I’d encourage all of racing’s people to download the app today, so that it is there whenever you might need it.”

The Racing Welfare app offers a range of information, advice and guidance including:

• Mental health
• Physical health
• Careers
• Money matters
• Retirement
• Housing

It is now available for download at Google Play: https://bit.ly/3VK1JJK and The App Store: https://apple.co/3vKa5X4.

An animation of the app can be viewed here.