A CHARITY which supports people in the racing industry has launched a new support line.

Racing Welfare, which has a regional office in Malton, is offering the service to provide new ways for people to receive support from the charity, as well as continuing to offer the 24-hour telephone helpline that has been in operation since 2009.

By extending the charity’s service delivery through a digital platform, the aim is to reach more people, particularly those who are living and working in rural areas away from the main racing centres.

Funding for the development of Racing's Support Linie has been provided by from The Racing Foundation and Godolphin.

The features of Racing’s Support Line include:

• A ‘Getting Support’ area on the website which contains extensive and detailed information and advice in relation to accidents and injuries; money advice; illness and disabilities; family and relationships; addiction and recovery; retirement; housing and retraining.

• An ‘Ask a Question’ feature which allows users to seek personalised advice and coaching through a web form.

• A ‘Live Chat’ feature which lets people communicate directly in real-time with an advisor.

• Online financial grant and housing application forms - meaning that users no longer have to make a special journey to a Racing Welfare office to complete these documents.

• An optional user account feature which allows people to track the status of any questions they have asked or of applications that they have made.

• The continuation of Racing Welfare’s 24 hour telephone helpline – which is fully integrated with the digital services. Additionally, the charity’s helpline operators can now undertake benefits checks through Turn2Us.

Welfare officers at Racing Welfare will continue to provide their expert service from the regional offices in Malton, Newmarket, Lambourn, Middleham and Epsom, along with a roving welfare officer based in the Midlands, however, the digital platform will allow them to have more time to dedicate to those most in need of specialist help.

Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive, said: “The launch of Racing’s Support Line will help Racing Welfare get closer to its vision that no-one from the thoroughbred racing and breeding community is left unsupported.

"We are committed to developing our services to match the needs of the people we support. The availability of online advice and support is going to help us reach many more people throughout 2016 and beyond.”

The Digital Support Services can be accessed at racingwelfare.co.uk

The 24-hour helpline will continue to be available on 0800 6300 443.