Financial advisers should play a greater role in client wellbeing and offer more emotional, mental and general health support, a national IFA firm has recommended.

Plymouth-based Continuum warned that most advisers do not offer wellbeing services, despite often being one of their clients' most trusted confidants.

The firm, owned by M&G, has called on financial advisers to “step up their game” during World Wellbeing Week.

Martin Brown, managing partner at Continuum, said: “Over the past three years we have noticed more and more clients reaching out for emotional support and help with general wellbeing.

“We believe personal wellbeing is the key to clients enjoying a satisfying, balanced and prosperous future.”

He pointed out that money is one of the most sensitive and uncomfortable subjects for many people to talk about. He said a good independent financial adviser will build up their relationship with their clients to the point at which they are often one of the most trusted confidants.

Mr Brown added: “The service from a good financial adviser should stretch way beyond just telling you what to do with your money. We must be there to support clients and their families with life’s challenges. It is something all financial advice firms should offer as a core service.”

Continuum said it offers a wellbeing service to clients which includes guidance on improving resilience, top tips for better sleep, exercise, working from home, alongside more financially focused well-being essentials such as budgeting and how to develop a healthy approach to money management.

The firm said the service begins with getting to know and understanding clients’ objectives, and their wider hopes and dreams. Then setting out what financial advice could mean for them and if following up any initial interest, explicitly detailing what it will deliver and means for them and their adviser.

• Now in its fifth year, World Wellbeing Week runs from Tuesday 24 to Monday 30 June. It aims to provide the opportunity for participants worldwide to celebrate the many aspects of wellbeing, from meaningful, purposeful work to financial security, physical, mental and emotional health, social resilience and empathic corporate and civic leadership, community relations and care for the environment.