Racing Welfare is piloting a scheme to recruit voluntary welfare representatives within racing yards, in an effort to give more support to stable and stud staff.
Former jockeys Phil Kinsella and Sean McGuinness are at the forefront of the new initiative.
The pair – who are on a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) graduate scheme work placement with the charity – are looking for five volunteers from yards in Newmarket to trial the scheme.
If successful, Racing Welfare hopes to carry it out nationwide.
“The full-time Racing Welfare officers in Newmarket are already stretched to breaking point with the number of staff seeking their help,” said Sean.
“And so it essential that the charity undertakes new measures to support as many people as possible.”
The welfare representatives will be existing members of staff who will act as the charity’s ambassadors.
Racing Welfare hopes that a member of staff with a problem is more likely to go to a peer rather than a boss. It is looking for team members who are approachable and have a high ethic to confidentiality.
Phil added: “If the volunteers can help prevent welfare problems that are affecting their colleagues turning into a crisis, this surely must be a good thing for employers, employees and therefore racing as a whole.”
Racing Welfare is the Jockey Club’s own charity and is the sole provider of welfare support to UK racing stable and stud staff .
For more information visit www.racingwelfare.co.uk
