Natta’s Make It Visible Event

Today, we welcomed Andy B. from the Lighthouse Club’s ‘Make It Visible’ team to our site in North Horsham. Our Horsham team were joined by our employees from our projects in Copthorne and Dunsfold. As part of the charity’s ‘Help Inside the Hard Hat’ campaign, they visit construction sites across the UK and Ireland to present and discuss the importance of looking after your mental health. The initiative was set up to promote the health and wellbeing that the charity provides to construction workers and their families across the country. Their ‘Make It Visible’ campaign aims to increase awareness of mental health support and accessibility in construction; ‘in sight and on every site’.

Following Natta signing up to be a supporter of The Lighthouse Club Charity back in October 2022, we wanted to do more for our workforce. We want our workers to be able to start a conversation and understand that it is ok not to be ok. That there is support and help here for them if they need it. Providing a good support network has a positive impact on everyone’s mental wellbeing, and is something that Natta understands and wants to prioritise. The construction industry can be demanding. With worrying UK statistics that two construction workers take their own lives every day. With stress, anxiety, the cost of living crisis and depression accounting for a fifth of all work-related illnesses, now more than ever, we understand the impact this has on our workforce and want to be there to support them.

Nattas #MakeItVisible Event

The morning began with an informal but informative ‘Toolbox Talk’, raising awareness about the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing. Tea and coffee and cakes were provided for the team to encourage casual conversations among the group. Our teams had the opportunity to listen to the speaker’s own experiences and struggles, with also the chance to discuss any issues they may currently be facing. As well as this, there was the opportunity for them to engage in one-one chats with Andy in a safe and confidential manner. The charity encourages construction workers to speak up about their struggles, so this visit provided a great opportunity.

Who are the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity Club? 

The Lighthouse Club provides emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families. Since 1956, the charity has been delivering charitable support to the Construction Community. The Lighthouse Club was first founded by a group that had attended a Ministry of Public Buildings and Works Exhibition on the seafront of Tyneside, Whitley Bay. By St Mary’s Lighthouse, the men vowed to extend the goodwill by starting a cause to unite and benefit the entire construction industry.

They provide free and confidential support through their 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline. 

Resources Available to Team Natta

Natta signed up to the Mental Health Charter in 2022 and also became a supporter of Lighthouse Club Charity. Since then, we have created a Mental Health Hub for our staff so that they can access helpful information and resources to help support their needs. We have rolled out the Construction Industry Helpline App on our staff’s mobile phones. So, if they need to talk to someone confidentially or need help quickly, the aid is there at their fingertips. They now have access to a wide range of resources including;

• Construction Industry Helpline App: A mobile phone app aimed at those who may not feel comfortable speaking with someone or would like more information about how they can help themselves before taking the next step in seeking professional help.
• Construction-Focused Wellbeing and Mental Health Training: Lighthouse Club also offers a variety of construction-focused training programmes running from hour-long interactive well-being sessions and MHFA England-approved Mental Health First Aider courses.
• Free confidential SMS service: TEXT HARDHAT for text-back counselling.
• Access to Lighthouse Beacons: Drop-in centres located around the UK. These allow construction workers and their families to visit and speak to volunteers face to face.
• Welling Masterclasses: Includes emotional, physical and financial well-being.