Appointed representatives (ARs) can speak to qualified counsellors who can help people deal with practical and emotional issues related to their health and mental wellbeing, family matters, relationship and workplace issues. ARs also have access to online support material.
The network has partnered with Care first, an employee services provider, to offer the free support.
The service is being funded by the network and is available free of charge 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or online.
Tristan Rigby, commercial partnerships manager at Care first, said: “At times of such uncertainty due to the developing Covid-19 pandemic, Care first understands first-hand how this situation may be making people feel very anxious; not just around emotional issues like feeling overwhelmed, or particularly worried about their own wellbeing, or concerns over their loved ones, but also regarding practical elements of our usual lifestyle which may be affected by these circumstances.”
The service is the latest addition to Sesame’s Covid-19 Adviser Support Hub, which launched in March to offer brokers practical information and tools.
The hub is receiving around 1,000 visits a day from members and advisers in the wider financial services industry, according to the network.
Sesame managing director Richard Howells said: “With more advisers now working remotely, possibly for the first time, it’s posing challenges for how business owners look after their staff and ensure they maintain a healthy work life balance.
“This is of paramount importance to ensure that advisers are well placed to look after themselves, their clients and continue to trade safely through this time of uncertainty. That’s why Sesame is pleased to be funding the cost of an assistance programme through Care first, which is enabling advisory firms to access an extensive range of confidential information and expertise, free of charge, to assist with anything that’s troubling them.”
