Consortia urged to give more mental health support

Joining the ‘Refusing to suffer in silence’ debate last month were Chris North, managing director, Vertical Systems; Marie Orpe, personal travel advisor, Holiday Elite; and Chris Wild, founder of Aviation Action.

Orpe, who is an ex-Freedom Travel Group agent, said homeworkers were especially vulnerable. “If you speak to any homeworker, we’re very, isolated.

“After Thomas Cook collapsed, there wasn’t anywhere any of us could go; Abta Lifeline focused on the money side. “There is a need for every consortia to have something in place that supports homeworkers. We have a duty of care to look after them.”

This need was more acute during the pandemic, she said. “People are frightened for their livelihoods and that can lead to self-doubt and struggles.”

She advised: “If you’re not feeling in the right frame of mind, put your work away, go do something you love and then come back to it. Take a breather.”