The mounting demand for emotional and practical support for teachers was laid bare this week, as figures were released which demonstrate that Teacher Support Network’s services were accessed more than twice as many times in England during the summer term and holidays this year compared to last.

Our second termly report of 2009, which you can view here, shows that the Support Line dealt with 23 per cent more calls between May and August than in the same time in 2008 (4,354 compared to 3,546).

Our online InfoCentre have also seen a massive increase in use, with 58,301 factsheet views compared to 24,867.

Bucking the trend of a customary decline in service use during summer compared to spring owing to the longer holiday, interactions with teachers were also up 24 per cent on spring (January to April). Interactions can come in the form of calls, online coaching incidents or other forms of support over the web and the use of our online InfoCentres.

As well as increased demand for emotional and practical support, the ongoing effects of the recession have caused a substantial increase in demand for financial assistance, with our English charity awarding 74 per cent more grants in summer 2009 than in summer 2008: an increase of £ 36,768.01.

The rise in demand for grants was accompanied by a large increase in contact on for money advice in England, which was 120 per cent greater than in summer 2008.

As well as money, the figures also show a dramatic increase in teachers contacting us about people skills, personal issues and working conditions, demand for each of which doubled has since summer last year.

If you’d like to talk to one of our trained advisors about any issue affecting you, call us on 08000 562 561 (England), 0800 564 2270 (Scotland) or 08000 855 088 (Wales). Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These factsheets from our InfoCentre may also be useful:

• Grants and money advice
• Money makeover - making the most of your money
• The Wheel of Wellbeing tool