Home improvement industry charity The Rainy Day Trust has launched a telephone helpline service for people in the industry.
The new service, run in conjunction with the Retail Trust charity, goes live this month and will include debt advice, counselling, legal advice and much more.

The new helpline is absolutely free of charge to everybody working in the home improvement industry: hardware, DIY, housewares or building products, whether it's in retail, wholesale or on the manufacturing side. It is also available to people who have retired from the industry.

Rainy Day Trust general secretary Diane Stevens said of the launch: "The service exists to signpost you to the best provider for your needs: be it emotional counselling; hardship grants; debt and legal advice; career support or personal support. We all need someone to talk to when we are experiencing problems, and the helpline is your first point of contact for help, understanding and back-up. Whatever the problem, we can help... and it's completely free."

There is a huge range of issues on which the helpline advisors can offer guidance and support: managing stress at work, career support, depression, loss and bereavement, divorce and separation, consumer rights, accommodation and tenancy, legal advice and so on.

"We can give telephone debt support through our partnerships with debt charities, for instance, helping you find the best debt solution tailored to meet your individual situation," added Ms Stevens. "And everything covered by the helpline is free of charge, and completely confidential. Even the phone call is free."

The Rainy Day Trust helpline number is 0808 801 0877, and the service is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4pm on Friday.

The Rainy Day Trust was founded in 1843 and its aim is to provide financial and other support for everyone working in or who has worked in the home improvement industry in any capacity. For more information about the Trust visit www.rainydaytrust.org.uk or call 0121 237 1130.

The Retail Trust, founded in 1832, is the leading charity supporting current, past and future retail employees, and their families, across the whole of the retail sector. For more information about the Retail Trust, go to www.retailtrust.org.uk or call the freephone helpline number 0808 801 0808.