Specialist employee benefits provider, Unum UK, has launched a new Health Network into its award-winning health and wellbeing app, Help@hand. This latest innovation connects users to resources and support from a growing network of carefully selected and trusted partners. 

With over 450k registered users, Help@hand is making it easier for people to connect earlier to the support they need to thrive. The enhancement helps employees and their families to engage with even more expert resources that drive meaningful outcomes.

Saumya Barber, Head of Proposition Development at Unum UK, said: "The new Health Network is designed to bring together a carefully tailored and forward-thinking range of health and wellbeing services to employees and their families. Our partnership with YoungMinds, the mental health charity for children and young people, is a powerful step in the continuous evolution of Help@hand - giving users seamless access to its parental support toolkit and helpline."

YoungMinds provides essential support for parents and carers of young people, who are increasingly experiencing the pressures of the ‘sandwich generation’ — balancing the demands of looking after both their young children and ageing parents. Topics include navigating peer relationships and emotional regulation, alongside advice on maintaining personal wellbeing and caring for their own mental health.

Unum research¹ has revealed just how widespread and disruptive caregiving responsibilities have become for UK workers:

• Over 1 in 5 workers consider themselves part of the sandwich generation.
• 20% say they are less productive at work due to their caring responsibilities. 
• 16% have had to take days off sick to manage their caring responsibilities.
• 13% have felt compelled to leave an unsupportive employer. 

These findings are echoed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which found that nearly a third of sandwich carers indicated signs of depression or anxiety - well above the national average.²

Saumya added: “The sandwich generation is facing immense pressure and without adequate support this group faces a high risk of burnout, which could lead to extended sickness absence or even force some to leave their jobs altogether. That’s why we are kick starting the new Health Network feature with YoungMinds—not just for the wellbeing of the sandwich generation, but to benefit the broader workforce and economy."

Michelle Kerrigan, Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships at YoungMinds added: “At YoungMinds, our focus this past year has been on reaching more young people and the adults around them, so we are delighted that our partnership with Unum has allowed for the opportunity to do some further awareness raising of our expert-informed materials and personalised support. YoungMinds offers a wealth of information and advice to support parents in the moment and offers a chance to hear first-hand from other parents or carers with lived experience. Our helpline is there to provide tailored information, advice and support to parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person’s mental health. 

By incorporating a direct route to the YoungMinds resources in the Help@hand app we hope to reach more families and provide in-the-moment support when they need it most.”  

^{1 Research carried out by Opinium and commissioned by Unum in 2022
2 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/socialcare/bulletins/sandwichcarersuk/january2021tomay2023}