The 24 / 7 confidential helpline is funded by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and provides access to a portfolio of support services for all construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland. The charity receives no public funding and relies on the generosity of those within the industry to‘ look after its own’.

On average, the helpline receives around 120 calls each month from applicants or someone representing the applicant. The helpline provides a range of services that supports people returning to work or if they can no longer carry on with their existing role, signpost them to re-training so they can remain within the construction industry. The helpline also provides advice and support to help people adjust to their individual circumstances and become financially independent.

Working in construction can be extremely rewarding, but it comes as no surprise that it’ s also one of the most stressful and dangerous industries to work in.

Julie Buckingham, welfare manager for the charity said,“ The helpline is constantly evolving and since its launch, our services have been developed to ensure that we meet the needs of those calling the helpline. For some time now we have recognised that to really help, we need to do more than just provide financial assistance. All our

call handlers are trained in mental health first aid and will ask a series of questions concerning the applicant’ s specific situation. These follow the seven areas of need to determine whether the applicant would benefit from additional advice and support from a mental health expert, so that we can signpost them to the relevant service for additional support.”

Julie added:“ In a recent questionnaire to current and recent beneficiaries, over 80 % of respondents said that they experienced mental health issues following their accident or illness. In response to those needs, the helpline now provides access to counselling services to help people talk through their issues. It’ s important to stress the confidentiality of the helpline. For many, this may be the first time they have spoken to someone and we realise that taking that first step isn’ t always easy.”

In addition to the counselling services, the charity has also introduced a debt advice service to support applicants who had got themselves into debt because of their accident or illness. Access to legal advice was also introduced.

Last year and with the crucial support of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the charity launched a new range of packs to promote the helpline’ s services. Each pack contains wallet sized helpline cards for distribution to the workforce and A2 posters to promote the helpline on site.

Bill Hill, Lighthouse Club Charity CEO said:“ We have now distributed over 100,000 cards but our biggest challenge is to get them out to every one of our 2.1 million construction workers. Many larger employers offer employee assistance programmes but over 53 % of our construction workforce are self-employed, so we need to ensure

that we reach those who have nowhere else to turn.”

There is little doubt that mental health in construction is a significant issue and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has put in measures in place to address those support needs. It is going to need a massive cultural shift within the industry to deal with it, requiring managers and workers alike to recognise that there is an issue and for workers not to be afraid of putting their hands up and asking for help.

To access the helpline’ s team of experts, call the Construction Industry Helpline on 0345 605 1956 or visit www. constructionindustryhelpline. com

For information about Construction Industry Helpline packs visit www. constructionindustryhelpline. com

In little more than 18 months, REAL Aluminium has become not only one of the industry’ s fastest-growing brands but also one of the UK’ s biggest manufacturers of Smart Systems’ aluminium products- in fact, sales of its windows, doors and lantern roofs have grown by more than 300 %.

Now, this phenomenal demand has led parent company Customade Group to invest £ 250,000 in a new 23,000ft 2 factory to ramp up aluminium window production by 60 %. This substantial investment will cement REAL Aluminium’ s position as a leading force in the supply of aluminium and enable the company to comfortably satisfy future demand.

The new production facility at Stonehouse in Gloucestershire, will increase REAL Aluminium’ s production space significantly, bringing it to 75,000ft 2 in total. The new space will allow REAL Aluminium to boost window production to 800 frames per week, while capacity for aluminium bi-folding doors will increase to 300 doors per week.

Nick Gibbons, chief operating officer at Customade Group

www. real-aluminium. co. uk