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Join Monday Evening Clubs To Talk About Your Mental Health
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Lighthouse Family Lifted 4,438 in 2023
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has become like a steadfast family member to the 4,438 people who it lifted out of dark places through the support of its 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline in 2023.
This represents a 30% increase on the number of people helped in 2022. The charity’s spend also increased by 12% to £3,727,386. This support has been delivered against the backdrop of a challenging year for the industry, with continued increases in the cost of materials, the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing labour shortages.
Caseworkers played a key role in this achievement. By collaborating with other charitable organisations, they ensured people accessed their statutory entitlements – leveraging a staggering £1,524,508 of financial support.
MakeItVisible
One of the charity’s most successful front-line interventions has been the hugely popular MakeItVisible on site initiative. In 2023 the team visited 390 worksites and engaged with more than 25,000 site workers. These on-site visits are a crucial component of ensuring the message of support reaches some of our industry’s most vulnerable workers, including trades and contractors.
Suicide
Last year alone, the on-site team made a life-changing and life-saving impact with 147 workers experiencing suicidal thoughts. Through simple conversations they were able to provide immediate support, implementing positive interventions and signposting to expert help.
Wellbeing portal
Earlier in the year, the charity unveiled the MakeItVisible Wellbeing Portal, www.makeitvisible.info
This resource provides information, advice, and guidance, directing users through authentic video case studies to support pathways for all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing.
Family
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, says: “We are making a difference in the lives of those who reach out to us. The increase in families helped and charitable spend is encouraging.
”I’m also encouraged to see the industry’s commitment to a culture of positive wellbeing and the support of the MakeItVisible campaign is testament to that. By joining forces, the industry is transforming work sites and creating a lasting impact on lives.”
Live chat
As part of the charity’s ongoing efforts to diversify support pathways, it recently introduced a live online chat service offering immediate support from its helpline advisers. As well as providing help without the need for a telephone conversation, the service also offers a real-time translation service which extends its support to those who may not have English as their first language.
Wellbeing Champion Support
The charity’s Wellbeing Champion Support programme offers professional support to over 12.000 mental health first aiders in the industry. This ensures that those who bear the emotional weight of the workforce are supported in managing their own wellbeing as well as enhancing their ability to provide continued support to others.
Fatalities
In 2023 the Critical Response Service provided vital support at 50 locations for those affected by a serious or fatal on-site incident. A specialist team provide immediate support offering a ‘safe space’ for people to share their concerns and signpost to specialist trauma counsellors if necessary.
Training
A Wellbeing Academy caters for the diverse learning styles and needs within the industry and is aimed at equipping workers with the soft skills they need to navigate today’s challenges. Recent additions have included new elearning courses along with suicide awareness courses which were attended by 341 workers last year.
Picture: The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has helped 4,438 workers and their families.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
01st February 2024