Poundland has partnered with retail industry charity, the Retail Trust, to offer improved mental health and wellbeing support for its 12,000 UK employees.

The move will see Poundland’s staff offered access to the Retail Trust’s wellbeing helpline in addition to a range of wider support, including counselling and financial assistance.

It will also seek to support employees with dedicated resources for coping with abuse. This comes after Retail Trust data showed that half of sector-wide retail workers experienced verbal or physical attacks on a weekly basis last year, while 77% reported feeling intimidated by customers’ behaviour while at work.

“Our colleagues do an amazing job, but we know working in retail, especially on the shop floor, can at times be challenging,” said Barry Williams, MD of Poundland. “We’re committed to doing all we can to support them. We’re pleased to be working with the Retail Trust to bring additional resources that will help protect their mental health and wellbeing.”

The Retail Trust now works with over 200 retailers and brands across the UK. Last year, Mountain Warehouse teamed up with the retail charity to support the wellbeing of its 4,500+ global workforce. The partnership offered colleagues access to wellbeing resources, manager training, discounts and rewards as well as virtual GP services.