Holiday cheer has faded, credit card bills have arrived, and motivation is running low; Blue Monday on 19th January is billed to be the most depressing day of the year. But what if instead of being something to endure, it marks the start of a powerful reset? GroceryAid – a charity that provides relief in tough times for grocery workers and their families – is urging anyone struggling with money worries and emotional strain to use Blue Monday as a chance to reach out and access the wide range of support available and kickstart a happier and healthier 2026.
Mandi Leonard, Welfare Director at GroceryAid, shares top tips for accessing vital help that could change a negative date into the start of something positive.
Find out if you’re eligible for free money
A quick search on grants-search.turn2us.org.uk will tell you if you could be eligible for a financial grant from a range of sources. Or if you’re one of the 2.6 million people working in the grocery industry, GroceryAid should be your first port of call. Last year the charity provided £4.6m in financial grants to help with everything from priority debts to supporting those on a reduced income due to caring responsibilities. Find out if your eligible to apply at groceryaid.org
Combine quick-impact help with long-term support
If you’ve got money worries and are struggling to make ends meet, see if you’re eligible for a financial grant, but don’t stop there. Underpin it with money management advice and practical support to better equip you for the future.
Check out groceryaid.org for handy budgeting tools and help managing bills or turn to StepChange and MoneyHelper for free debt advice.
Don’t wait until you are at crisis point
Many people assume support is only available in extreme circumstances but it’s available long before crisis hits. If you’re experiencing an unexpected bump in the road which is affecting your financial and emotional wellbeing, it’s time to seek help now – don’t wait for a blip to turn into an emergency.
Contact your mortgage company or energy provider to discuss payment plans when bills start to get on top of you, and look into mental health hints and tips to tackle niggles before they get bigger.
Talk to your friends and family
Let’s make suffering in silence a thing of the past. Opening up to friends and family can be the first step in making a change and by being a good listener yourself, you could be the catalyst to helping someone get back on their feet.
Most people know someone who works in the grocery industry and could potentially benefit from GroceryAid support, whether now or in the future. Be ready to spread the word about the support available.
Don’t see help as a handout
There is zero shame in asking for help and it isn’t a handout. GroceryAid, for example, provides free and confidential financial, emotional and practical support to grocery workers, from shop workers to factory operators, because they help feed the nation – it is the help they have earned.
Mandi adds: “Blue Monday doesn’t have to be something people simply get through. It can be a moment to pause, reset and take that first step towards feeling more in control. At GroceryAid we see time and again how reaching out early – whether for financial help, emotional support or practical advice – can make a real difference. If things feel tough right now, you’re not alone, and support is there to help you start 2026 in a stronger, more positive place.”
For more information on the free and confidential support available, visit groceryaid.org.uk/get-help/ or call 08088 021 122.
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