It is a fact that charitable and voluntary organisations are now providing services that the government have failed to provide.

Greatly supplementing the work of the primary care sector, were it not for the people working in voluntary organisations, millions of people would simply not have access to the valuable and often life saving levels of support on offer.

Because of the work they do, members of the UK’s voluntary organisations regularly have to deal personally with direct exposure to, and accounts of, harrowing situations suffered by those seeking support.

The stress of dealing with people who are quite literally about to end their life, or who are trying to come to terms with being raped or who have escaped an abusive relationship must not be underestimated.

Over time, the effects of repeated exposure to these situations can break down the paid worker or volunteer’s capability to deal personally with what they are hearing and/or experiencing, increasing the likelihood of becoming traumatised themselves.

Should this happen, not only will an organisation lose a valuable and experienced worker/volunteer, but it will also hamper the capability of that organisation to provide support to the very people needing it most.

The Red Poppy Company can help provide a double layer service to both the staff and users of the thousands of voluntary and charitable organisations across the UK.