Checkatrade donates £10k to support workforce wellbeing 

Checkatrade is partnering with the Lighthouse Charity to help address wellbeing and mental health challenges impacting construction workers.

More than a fifth of workplace illnesses across the industry are related to stress, anxiety and depression, while two construction workers die by suicide every working day.

The Lighthouse Charity offers a range of services, including a 24/7 helpline, text support, a self-support app and access to local assistance through its Lighthouse Beacons.

The charity also runs a Wellbeing Academy that offers self-paced eLearning and mental health first-aider training. 

To support additional services, including 160 counselling sessions, 140 emergency food shops and assistance in the event of critical incidents, Checkatrade is donating £10,000.

Sarah Bolton, CEO of Lighthouse Charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Checkatrade to ensure that the message of support reaches our tradespeople who may not know about the help available to them or how to access that support.

“Reaching out to those most at risk is key to our support strategy, so this collaboration with Checkatrade and having the opportunity to share our proactive and reactive support services with their network of over 50,000 tradespeople is perfect. 

“As well as helping us to reach some of our most vulnerable workers, their fantastic donation will ensure that we can continue to provide life-changing and life-saving support to our construction community.”  

Jambu Palaniappan, CEO at Checkatrade, added: “We’re extremely proud to support the critical work being done by the Lighthouse Charity. They’re an amazing organisation working tirelessly to help tradespeople, and we are committed to backing their mission to reduce the number of construction suicides, improve industry welfare and make wellbeing support more visible.”

Mental health support and advice for CIOB members, past members and related family is available through CIOB Assist. CIOB, in partnership with Anxiety UK, also provides wellbeing support.

For additional support or advice, contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123. You can also access support via the Lighthouse Charity by calling the support line on 0345 605 1956 or texting HARDHAT to 85258.