Procure Partnerships Framework has partnered with Mates in Mind and the British Safety Council to provide Mental Health & Wellbeing workshops for our Contractor Partners. The online training workshops raised awareness of the main challenges facing our mental health; including family separation, disrupted sleep patterns, and job security.
Mates in Mind is a registered UK charity that raises awareness and addresses the stigma of poor mental health and promotes positive mental health across the construction industry.
The British Safety Council, a registered charity founded in 1957, is one of the world’s leading health and safety organisations its aim is to make workplaces safer.
The latest Office for National Statistics data on Mental Health in Construction shows that skilled construction workers are the demographic most at risk from suicide, with the construction sector accounting for 13% of in-work suicides in the UK. Another disturbing figure is that more construction workers die of suicide than from injury due to physical risks that can occur on site.
The sessions focused on the main challenges to our mental health during the current uncertain period we have been presented with; including family separation, disrupted sleep patterns, and job security. They were attended by representatives from 21 Procure Partnerships Framework Contractor Partners. (Participants can be seen below)
Kier, Galliford Try, Stepnell, Simpson (York), Conamar, F Parkinson Ltd, Claritas Group, Vinci Construction, Jerram Falkus Construction, Seddon, R N Wooler and Company Limited, Whitfield & Brown, Read Construction, Neilcott Construction, McLaren Construction Group, T Clarke Construction, Wates, Eric Wright Construction, Midas Group, Esh Construction, and Hankinson Group.
The content of the workshops covered:
• The biggest mental health concerns right now.
• How the concerns caused by the current uncertainty can impact our mental health.
• The role of the manager.
• The role of the mental health first aider.
• How to spot developing issues and reach out and support people.
• Listening skills.
• Supporting someone in crisis.
• Looking out for our own wellbeing.
• Signposting resources.
Following the sessions participants were invited to complete a survey, some of the standout figures can be seen below:
60% of participants had never participated in any mental health awareness training before.
87% of participants rated the session high or very high quality
82% of participants reported feeling more comfortable discussing mental health following the session
Conor Neild-Crabb, Marketing Manager at Procure Partnerships Framework said: “The construction industry has a widespread issue with mental health, with figures that show construction industry workers suffer in silence it’s important to make training available to our Framework Partners. The environments we create for our colleagues need to be empathetic. Our colleagues need to know what to look out for, what support is available to them, and how to access that support.”
Paris Forrester at Mates in Mind added: “We are pleased to work alongside Procure Partnerships to implement proactive steps to address mental health within the industry, which has never been more important as the whole world battles COVID-19. Partnerships like this allow us to continue to drive positive, lasting change to transform the conversations about Mental Health.”
Our Contractor Partners shared their experience of the workshops.
Ben Palentine Bid Writer at Eric Wright Construction commented on the session: “I really enjoyed the course and found it very useful. I’m usually pretty good with my own mental health so sometimes don’t appreciate that others don’t feel the same. I came away with a greater understanding of the issues that we need to consider when talking about maintaining good mental health and some practical advice on what to do if either I or someone I know experiences poor mental health or needs some additional support. Thanks!”
Vikki Thomas Relationship Manager at Seddon added: “The session was great and covered a lot, the interaction throughout with the group was great. I would highly recommend the course to others.”
Chris Davies Business Development Manager at Conamar Building Services: “Informative, light-hearted, and I feel I would be more confident in approaching staff if I believe they are struggling”
Further information and useful resources can be found by following the links below:
Construction industry helpline – https://www.constructionindustryhelpline.com/
Mates in Mind – https://www.matesinmind.org/
The British Safety Council – https://www.britsafe.org/
Faye Dolan, an esteemed professional and Framework Director at Procure Partnerships, boasts a rich and diverse career spanning seven years in the construction industry. Faye’s journey within Procure Partnerships began in 2018 as a Key Account Manager, initially overseeing the North West region and later extending her purview to the entire North.
