42 | MARCH 2022
Installer Support
VITAL TEXT HARDHAT TO 85258 SERVICE LAUNCHED 1ST FEB
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has added another route to vital wellbeing support by launching their text HARDHAT to 85258 service to provide immediate support to the construction community .
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This latest addition to the charity ’ s extensive portfolio of support services , launched on 1st February and underpins their mission that no construction worker or their family should be alone in a crisis .
The text HARDHAT to 85258 service will complement their existing 24 / 7 Construction Industry Helpline and Helpline App and offers immediate support to those who feel more comfortable texting with someone rather than holding a one to one telephone conversation .
Just like the charity ’ s helpline , the text HARDHAT to 85258 service is available at any time of the day or night and offers free , anonymous and confidential support to anyone in the industry who is feeling overwhelmed , stressed , anxious , suicidal or simply struggling with everyday life .
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Individuals can access support simply by texting the word HARDHAT to 85258 . This will put them in touch with trained volunteers who will ask for a little more information about what the problem is , with the individual sharing what they feel comfortable |
with . The volunteers listen without judgement and can provide support and guidance on a huge variety of issues including ; feeling anxious , relationship problems , loneliness and isolation , abuse , addiction , depression , bullying and harassment , selfharm , and suicidal thoughts and feelings . The text conversation will only finish when the volunteer has helped the person to reach a calm and safe place . They will also be able to provide a plan so that users can understand how to help themselves going forward and signpost to further resources or tools to provide more expert support . Bill Hill , CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said , “ Our new text HARDHAT to 85258 service comes at a time when many are still struggling on a daily basis with debt , anxiety and family issues . Last year our charity supported 2788 families , an increase of 23 % on the |
previous year and we delivered £ 1,077,015 of charitable giving to our construction community . This support ranged from making sure there was a meal on the table for families and paying household bills , helping with debt and financial issues , and providing quick access to professional counselling sessions .
“ We cannot stress enough that it really doesn ’ t matter how small or large you think your problem is , there is always support available and we can provide that help through the channels that people feel most comfortable with . That could be by using our free Construction Industry Helpline App , calling our 24 / 7 Construction Industry Helpline and talking to someone and now we have our text HARDHAT to 85258 service .”
www . lighthouseclub . org
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NEARLY ONE IN THREE TRADESPEOPLE HAVE TAKEN DAYS OFF WORK TO FOCUS ON THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
Nearly one in three tradespeople ( 30 per cent ) have taken days off work , over the last 18 months , because of their mental health , according to new research from Direct Line business insurance . 1 On average , these tradespeople have taken five days off , with nearly one in ten ( nine per cent ) taking between one and two weeks to recover .
Worryingly , 34 per cent say that they should have taken time off because of a mental health issue but felt that they had to push through and work anyway .
The findings come amid a busy period for tradespeople . Almost half ( 49 per cent ) have seen an increase in their workload over the last 18 months . They are working an average of 4.8 hours more each week and almost three extra days a month ( 2.74 ).
For many , this rise in workload is leaving them exhausted . Nearly a quarter ( 24 per cent ) have experienced burnout due to being so busy , while more than four in ten ( 43 per cent ) feel increasingly stressed and anxious as a result . However , this is not the only factor contributing to mental health issues .
The study found that reasons for stress and anxiety are diverse , ranging from budgetary worries to the ongoing pandemic :
Concerningly , more than one in ten tradespeople ( 12
Top reasons for stress and anxiety among tradespeople - Direct Line business insurance , January 2022
Issue
Financial concerns Threat of a Covid isolation period Threat of Covid infection Threat of tool theft Legal issues Family / domestic issues Childcare arrangements Supply chain issues Issues recruiting and training new staff
per cent ) who are experiencing stress and anxiety haven ’ t taken any action to deal with it , suggesting that they may be reluctant to open up about their struggles . As well as this , more than one in three ( 35 per cent ) don ’ t think there ’ s enough awareness of mental health problems
Percentage of tradespeople reporting stress and anxiety as a result
30 per cent 27 per cent 27 per cent 16 per cent 16 per cent 14 per cent 13 per cent 12 per cent 11 per cent
within the sector , which could be contributing to this reluctance to talk . However , some tradespeople have turned to coping mechanisms . More than one in four ( 27 per cent ) have spoken to friends and family about their stress , while 23 per cent have taken up exercise or meditation . Over a fifth ( 22 per cent ) have used a mindfulness or social media app , 20 per cent have hired additional staff to help deal with workload and 17 per cent have raised the issue with their boss .
directlineforbusiness . co . uk
1 ) Opinium survey of 2,000 UK adults , 191 of whom were tradespeople , 25th-28th January 2022 .