HRI Launches Assistance Programme

Horse Racing Ireland has launched its Industry Assistance Program, which has the aim of improving the well-being of the 14,500 staff working in the Thoroughbred industry. The programme, funded through HRI's Industry Education and Training Department, will offer round-the-clock support to industry staff including a 24/7 telephone support line and online resource centre to assist in a wide range of areas including legal, financial, health and parenting advice, promotion of mindfulness techniques and crisis management. The programme 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.

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.”

Osborne 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 well-being and provide valuable support to those in stress and difficulty.”

Those interested in this service can avail of it through the confidential freephone helpline: 1-800-303-588, 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.

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