MENTAL HEALTH ALLIES
In 2019 we recruited 25 mental health allies from across our Island. These volunteers create a safe space where Islanders can talk (in confidence) to a non-judgemental, kind ear who will listen to them and signpost them to support and advice.
Our Allies are diverse in terms of their own personal lived experience of mental health and as such have supported hundreds of Islanders. They’re accredited and have continuous personal development and education to support their knowledge.
Our Leaders rely on our Allies to provide them with feedback on the challenges faced by Islanders, which helps us tailor our approach and provide solutions. In 2022, we launched our care packages following feedback on the financial wellbeing challenges our Islanders were facing. Our care packages include, free breakfasts and lunches, kindness cupboards stocked with food essentials and hygiene products. Whilst we can’t fix the cost-of-living crisis, we can help the ease the worry slightly and so we also made two additional payments to our Islanders to support them with rising bills and living costs.
YOUR I.D
Your ID is made up of Islanders who represent diversity and inclusivity. They have built cultural calendars to celebrate the wonderful communities that make up our Island and whilst we all love a celebration, their main aim is to build an inclusive culture throughout the Island, at all times, through education and awareness.
They do this by tapping into the communities we have, such as Parents & Carers & LGBTQIA+, to help generate inclusive policies and way of working that make our Island a safe place where everyone can thrive.
WELLBEING & PARTNERSHIPS
We encourage our Islanders to take a pro-active approach to their wellbeing through education, awareness, talks, workshops and events as well as the support from their colleagues by sharing their learnings from past experiences.
We have a long-established relationship with the Retail Trust and they have a special place on the Island. They provide our EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) that provides every Islander with free and confidential access to a range of emotional and financial support as well as counselling and mental health therapies such as CBT. We have also partnered with the Retail Trust to provide accredited awareness and response training for our managers and leaders on topics that may affect our Islanders such as domestic abuse, suicide awareness and menopause.
Every Islander counts at River Island and we’re proud of the work the Retail Trust does for us to help everyone feel safe and supported.
