Free Mental Health Support for Care Workers – Up to 10 Therapy Sessions Available

Working in social care can be incredibly rewarding, but we know it also comes with challenges that can take a toll on your mental health. If you are struggling, support is available.

The Care Workers’ Charity is offering eligible care employees access to up to ten support sessions with a qualified therapist through their partner, Red Umbrella. This support can help with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, PTSD, or just that general feeling of being unable to cope.

Please note that this is not a financial grant – The Care Workers’ Charity will pay Red Umbrella directly for your sessions, so there is no cost to you.

Who is this for?

You may benefit from this support if you are experiencing:

• Trouble sleeping or feeling tired all the time
• Persistent worry or anxiety
• Feeling low, miserable, or upset
• Changes in appetite (eating or drinking more or less than usual)
• Difficulty coping with daily life

This offer is also open to you if you are currently on a long waiting list for NHS support, or if you have had previous therapy but feel you would benefit from a top-up of sessions.

Important eligibility and evidence

To apply, you must be currently employed in the care sector. You will need to provide one of the following as evidence:

• Employment evidence – such as your most recent wage slip, OR you can give permission for The Care Workers’ Charity to contact your HR Manager purely to verify your employment. Please be reassured – they will only confirm your employment status and nothing more.
• Self-referral – if you are unable to provide a letter of support, you can still apply by providing a brief description of the area you need help with (for example, PTSD, anxiety, depression, or something else) and explaining how the sessions would benefit you.

A few important things to remember:

• All sessions take place online, via video call, or phone call – face-to-face sessions are not currently available.
• If your application is approved, please ensure you respond to Red Umbrella when they contact you to arrange your sessions. If you do not respond after they make three attempts to reach you, you will no longer be eligible.

If this sounds like the support you need, or if you’d like to find out whether you meet the eligibility requirements, please visit the Mental Wellbeing and Health Support page on The Care Workers’ Charity website for more information and to apply.

We would encourage anyone who is struggling to take that first step – your wellbeing matters.

Find out more here