© Photo Healy Racing
Horse Racing Ireland have launched an ‘Industry Assistance Programme’ for the Irish thoroughbred industry.
The scheme is designed to improve the wellbeing of the 14,500 staff working in the industry.
It will provide round-the-clock support through a range of confidential services including a 24/7 telephone support line and an online resource centre with a live help option for many practical issues such as legal and financial advice, health advice, grief counselling, parenting advice, promotion of mindfulness techniques, healthy eating advice and crisis management.
The Industry Assistance Programme is funded through HRI’s Industry Education and Training Department and is available to all thoroughbred industry employees including stud staff, stable staff, breeders, trainers, jockeys, racecourse staff, and employees from industry bodies.
Jockey Davy Russell, Turf Club Chief Medical Officer, Dr Adrian McGoldrick, and Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin Ireland are advocates of the Industry Assistance Programme.
Jockey Davy Russell, said: “I’m completely behind this new HRI initiative. Working in the racing industry is all about highs and lows and it can be very hard to deal with the lows. The helpline will be an invaluable support for those going through a tough time but it will also be great to have access to advice on general issues such as healthy eating and financial matters.”
Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin Ireland, said “This is a welcome initiative for those working in the thoroughbred breeding sector and the team at HRI deserve credit for making it available to all industry employees. The Industry Assistance Programme will help to increase awareness of the importance of wellbeing and provide valuable support to those in stress and difficulty.”
A recent online survey commissioned by the Turf Club Chief Medical Officer showed that 32.4% of amateur riders and 57.1% of professional riders displayed symptoms of depression. “In this context, the launch today of the Industry Assistance Programme is not just timely but a major step forward. The Jockeys Trust has been providing support services for many years, but HRI are to be applauded for taking this care to a new level. I look forward to working with the Jockeys Trust, Irish Injured Jockeys and HRI in the provision of psychological support services to all involved in racing into the future,” said Dr McGoldrick.
Those interested in this service can avail of it through the confidential freephone helpline: 1800 303 588, a text message service, an email service or via the www.workplaceoptions.com website which will also have a live help facility. A wallet card will be issued to all industry employees in the next week and this will have the login details for the website and details of all the contact methods.
Patrick Ryan, HRI’s Industry Education and Training Coordinator, commented: “This service will be of great benefit to all industry employees. The implementation of this programme will ensure that, no matter what your circumstances, you will have access to professional services that are both free and confidential. In addition to crisis management, assistance and advice will be provided for everyday issues such as rent queries, insurance queries, mortgage advice or travel vaccinations to name but a few.”
Carol Nolan, HRI Director of People and Industry Education, stated: “We are delighted to be launching this proactive welfare initiative for employees within the racing and breeding industry in Ireland. Physical and mental well-being is of paramount importance for personal growth, education and development and we see this as the foundation of our Department initiatives over the coming months and years.”
The service will be provided by Workplace Options who currently serve more than 100,000 Irish employees through a national service centre in Dublin and a network of more than 400 counsellors spread throughout the country.
