THE Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has revealed that 4,438 people reached out for support through its 24/7 helpline in 2023 – a 30% increase on the previous year.
Charitable spend over the year also increased by 12% to £3,727,386.
The support was delivered against the backdrop of a challenging year for the construction sector, with continued material cost rises, the cost of living crisis, and labour shortages.
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity offers emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing support.
Charity caseworkers, through collaboration with other charitable organisations and ensuring that people accessed their statutory entitlements, leveraged £1,524,508 of financial support.
One of the charity’s most successful front-line interventions has been the MakeItVisible on-site initiative. In 2023 the team visited 390 sites across the country and engaged with more than 25,000 workers. These visits help ensure the message of support reaches some of the most vulnerable workers, including the trades and contractors. Last year alone, the on-site team made a ‘life-changing and life-saving’ impact with 147 workers experiencing suicidal thoughts. Through conversations they were able to provide immediate support, implementing positive interventions and signposting to expert help.
Earlier in the year, the charity unveiled the MakeItVisible Wellbeing Portal, www.makeitvisible.info, fostering collaboration. This resource provides information, advice, and guidance, directing users through video case studies to support pathways for all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing.
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, said, “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.
“As part of our charity’s ongoing efforts to diversify support pathways, we recently introduced a live online chat service offering immediate support from our 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 our support to those who may not have English as their first language.”
The charity’s Wellbeing Champion Support programme offers professional support to over 12.000 mental health first aiders.
In 2023 the Critical Response Service provided support at 50 locations for those affected by a serious or fatal on-site incident.
The charity’s Wellbeing Academy caters for diverse learning styles and needs and is aimed at equipping workers with soft skills to navigate challenges. Recent additions have included self-paced e-learning courses along with Lighthouse Wellbeing Exclusives, such as suicide awareness courses.
The charity will publish its 2023 Impact Report in May 2024 once the final audited accounts have been approved and filed.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, reach out for free and confidential support now. 24/7 Construction Industry Helplines: 0345 605 1956 (UK) 1800 939 122 (ROI)
Live chat lighthouseclub.org constructionindustryhelpline.com makeitvisible.info
Text HARDHAT to 85258 (UK) 50808 (ROI)
