The Big Brew Breakfast at Chandler Materials
Construction workers were invited for a cuppa and a chat in the battle against suicide within the industry.
With two UK construction workers dying by suicide every day, Chandler Material Supplies, in Chelmsford, wanted to support its customers.
The Big Brew gave construction workers an opportunity to come together for a full English breakfast and hot drink on Tuesday 17th October and to find out more about Band of Builders, the construction industry charity providing practical, financial and wellbeing support.
The charity seeks to empower the trade through STATS – Support each other; Talk about it; Always ask twice; Take it seriously; Stop the cycle.
The annual campaign encourages UK construction industry workers and tradespeople to come together to support one another and remove the taboo around mental health.
Tony Steel, from Band of Builders, said: “In the construction industry, two people commit suicide every day. All we’re trying to do is get the message out there that there is support available for them.
“Last year, we launched the text helpline, where there is always someone on the other end that will actually start that conversation.”
Neil Southgate, form Southgate Building, attended the event and said: “It’s hard to talk to people, but I’ve found it easier to talk to people that I don’t really know than it is to talk to people I know.”
Mick Gooby, from Gooby Complete Building Services, has trained as a counsellor and said: “This event is really important as, especially in this game, there’s a lot of guys who feel like there’s a stigma to talk about stuff.
“If you had a splinter in your arm, you would pull it out; you wouldn’t leave it in there to fester. It’s the same with your mind. If you leave stuff in your mind, it’ll fester and become worse. If you’re not going to leave the splinter in your arm, why would you leave the thoughts and depressive episodes in your mind.
“Get some help; talk to someone. Don’t suffer in silence. It does help.”
Peter Chandler, Assistant Sales Manager at Chandler Material Supplies, said: “Our event was important because this industry, even in this day and age, is seen as a macho type industry. Men are the worst at coming forward to talk about feelings and worries and they would rather keep it in than talk to people. There has always been a stigma around talking, but it’s the best thing you can do, in my opinion.”
Chandler is a family-run business which prides itself on its long-held relationships with customers, having been providing supplies to the trade and public since 1951. The business operates not only the local go-to builder’s merchants, but a bathroom showroom, landscape / patio display and a brick and tile library, as well as a brick matching service, painting and decorating supplies and free local delivery.
Lauren Penney, operations and marketing manager at Chandler Material Supplies, said: “We had a great day and had some excellent conversations around the stigma of mental health and how we can all play our part in breaking down those walls. The statistics really do speak volumes and for us, as a family-run independent business, we want to give back to our wider Chandler community and help wherever we can.
“We’d like to thank our staff and our customers for their support. Also, to remind anyone who is suffering that there is help available - text BOB to 85258 to speak to a trained counsellor.”
The event raised £200 for the charity. For support with your mental health, follow this link to access the Band of Builders resources
The Big Brew Breakfast at Chandler Materials
Construction workers were invited for a cuppa and a chat in the battle against suicide within the industry.
With two UK construction workers dying by suicide every day, Chandler Material Supplies, in Chelmsford, wanted to support its customers.
The Big Brew gave construction workers an opportunity to come together for a full English breakfast and hot drink on Tuesday 17th October and to find out more about Band of Builders, the construction industry charity providing practical, financial and wellbeing support.
The charity seeks to empower the trade through STATS – Support each other; Talk about it; Always ask twice; Take it seriously; Stop the cycle.
The annual campaign encourages UK construction industry workers and tradespeople to come together to support one another and remove the taboo around mental health.
Tony Steel, from Band of Builders, said: “In the construction industry, two people commit suicide every day. All we’re trying to do is get the message out there that there is support available for them.
“Last year, we launched the text helpline, where there is always someone on the other end that will actually start that conversation.”
Neil Southgate, form Southgate Building, attended the event and said: “It’s hard to talk to people, but I’ve found it easier to talk to people that I don’t really know than it is to talk to people I know.”
Mick Gooby, from Gooby Complete Building Services, has trained as a counsellor and said: “This event is really important as, especially in this game, there’s a lot of guys who feel like there’s a stigma to talk about stuff.
“If you had a splinter in your arm, you would pull it out; you wouldn’t leave it in there to fester. It’s the same with your mind. If you leave stuff in your mind, it’ll fester and become worse. If you’re not going to leave the splinter in your arm, why would you leave the thoughts and depressive episodes in your mind.
“Get some help; talk to someone. Don’t suffer in silence. It does help.”
Peter Chandler, Assistant Sales Manager at Chandler Material Supplies, said: “Our event was important because this industry, even in this day and age, is seen as a macho type industry. Men are the worst at coming forward to talk about feelings and worries and they would rather keep it in than talk to people. There has always been a stigma around talking, but it’s the best thing you can do, in my opinion.”
Chandler is a family-run business which prides itself on its long-held relationships with customers, having been providing supplies to the trade and public since 1951. The business operates not only the local go-to builder’s merchants, but a bathroom showroom, landscape / patio display and a brick and tile library, as well as a brick matching service, painting and decorating supplies and free local delivery.
Lauren Penney, operations and marketing manager at Chandler Material Supplies, said: “We had a great day and had some excellent conversations around the stigma of mental health and how we can all play our part in breaking down those walls. The statistics really do speak volumes and for us, as a family-run independent business, we want to give back to our wider Chandler community and help wherever we can.
“We’d like to thank our staff and our customers for their support. Also, to remind anyone who is suffering that there is help available - text BOB to 85258 to speak to a trained counsellor.”
The event raised £200 for the charity. For support with your mental health, follow this link to access the Band of Builders resources