Bamber Bridge firm Conlon Construction is looking to raise awareness of high suicide rates in the industry through a new partnership with mental health charity Lancashire Mind.
AdvertisementConlon Construction has set a target to raise £10,000 over the coming year, but says the partnership is about more than money.
Neil Conlon from Conlon Construction, said: “We take our responsibility as an employer, and as a member of the communities we work in, very seriously.
“It’s important to highlight mental health awareness within the construction industry, especially during these particularly challenging times. In recent years, 13 per cent of suicides were construction workers, despite construction accounting for only 7 per cent of the national workforce.
“The industry is still male dominated; however, we are trying to change this and are improving communication through workplace wellbeing coaching, mental health first aiders and targeted mental health campaigns.”
Suicide is still the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the country. Much of the work Lancashire Mind carries out is to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues, as well as providing practical support and training in the workplace.
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Over the next 12 months, Conlon Construction will hold a series of events together with its project teams and supply chain to raise funds and awareness of mental wellness.
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Neil recently cycled 25 miles a day for 25 consecutive days – totalling 625 miles – to raise more than £1,300 in what marked the company’s first fundraising event for Lancashire Mind.
Emma Bateson, Fundraising Lead at Lancashire Mind, said: “We’re extremely pleased Conlon Construction has chosen Lancashire Mind as their charity and look forward to working with them over the coming year.
“It’s so important for companies like Conlon Construction to not only raise money for us but also to help in raising awareness.
“As a company, they lead the way in their field by not just paying lip service to mental health and wellbeing, but by placing it as one of their core aims.
“We want to encourage more businesses to partner with us in this way so we can continue to deliver our services and raise awareness right across Lancashire.
“Workplace mental health is going to become even more important as the country comes out of lockdown and people start to return to work. Of course, there will also be many that will struggle returning to the workplace and it’s incumbent on us all to help them too.”
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To support Conlon Construction’s fundraising efforts, visit JustGiving.
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What do you think of this partnership? What does your employer do to look after your mental wellbeing? Let us know in the comments.