A national housebuilder has backed a Suffolk-based construction company with its mental health campaign by donating a new van.
Taylor Wimpey has donated the new Renault Trafic van to the Lighthouse Charity as part of its national #MakeItVisible campaign.
The campaign sees the charity visit construction sites nationwide to share the lived experiences of its team members and help reduce the stigma around discussing mental health.
Sarah Bolton, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, said: “We were absolutely delighted to hear the news that Taylor Wimpey wanted to support this vital initiative in such a huge way.
“Having an additional vehicle to reach out to our front line trades means so much.
“It will allow us to extend our message of support even further and ensure that our workforce and their families know about the help available, and how to reach out for that support.
“We know that this initiative continues to make a life changing and a life-saving impact and we’re honoured to have Taylor Wimpey on board, thank you to everyone that has helped make this happen.”
Lighthouse Charity representatives have already visited 506 construction sites in the UK and Ireland this year and spoken to 27,000 workers.
Taylor Wimpey is also a signatory of the Lighthouse Charity’s Building Mental Health Charter and is working with the charity to provide mental health training for its employees.
Rose Sandell, Group Communities Director and Chair of Taylor Wimpey’s Charity Committee, said: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is vitally important and the Lighthouse Charity is doing fantastic work in raising awareness of the free, confidential support services available to construction workers who may need it.
“By reducing stigma and encouraging people to talk about their mental health, the charity’s #MakeItVisible campaign is making a real difference, and I hope the donation of a new van will help them to reach even more people who may not know where to turn.
“A number of our site teams have already benefitted from a #MakeItVisible visit and we look forward to welcoming the charity to more of our developments soon.”
The Lighthouse Charity offers 24/7 holistic support to construction workers in the UK and Ireland, including through its free confidential helpline and online chat service.
More information on the charity and its services can be found here.
