In 2018 JTL joined forces with the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) to raise awareness of the support services the EIC provide for the industry to help them through life’s challenges.
Not only do the EIC support those who are currently working in the industry, they also open their services to those who formerly worked in the industry and their families. Their services include but are not limited to, telephone counselling, legal and debt advice, scholarships and financial grants.
The EIC are a great charity and have supported the electrical industry immensely, so this year JTL have decided they would like to give something back. JTL are setting up fundraising events throughout the year to help support the EIC. To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, on Friday 17th May 2019 JTL’s National Administration Centre are having a charity bake sale and raffle, all funds raised will be donated to the EIC. Additionally, JTL’s Birmingham Training Centre are in the process of organising a charity 5-a-side football match for later in the summer, more details about this event will be shared when everything has been finalised.
In 2017 the EIC gave support, direction and guidance to 4,154, this increased to 7,460 people in 2018, and 1 in 3 cases they dealt with encompassed mental health issues. Although the EIC seek to help people in the electrical industry, they have generously opened their services to all of JTL, electricians and plumbers alike, and they recently helped one of JTL’s apprentices through a tough time. Ewan was 17 when, after a difficult few weeks, he was thrown out of home with nowhere to go. JTL contacted the EIC to see if they could assist. The EIC found and paid for several nights in a B&B. Ewan has ADHD but stopped taking the medication as he felt it “made him high”, and like so many young adults did not go back to the GP and ask for it to be altered or changed. He also had some anger management issues and we arranged counselling to supplement the crisis accommodation. After exploring options together, Ewan is now settled into accommodation and doing well. JTL are supporting him through college, and despite his problems he has also maintained his apprenticeship.
If you are, or have been, affected by mental health do not hesitate to ask for help. The EIC can be contacted on 0800 652 1618 or at support@electricalcharity.org. The phones are manned between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information on the EIC’s services, visit /free-support/.
