The Lighthouse Charity provides 24/7 holistic support to the UK and Ireland construction community on all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing.
A crucial element of the charity’s strategy is to provide a range of free and widely available reactive and proactive resources to support the industry.
Their free and confidential 24/7 helpline, live web chat service and the text HARDHAT facility provides a range of information, guidance and support on a huge variety of wellbeing issues. These services are complemented by their free self-support app, along with their Lighthouse Beacons who provide a safe space for people to share concerns.
Their impactful #MakeItVisible On Site initiative sees their teams visiting construction sites and companies across the UK, raising awareness of the support available, sharing their own lived experiences and reaching some of the industry’s most vulnerable workers.
Continuing the proactive stance, the charity’s Wellbeing Academy offers a variety of free soft skills and leadership training delivered across a variety of platforms to suit every learning style.
Why did you partner with Mental Health Innovations?
Collaborations such as this, extend the hand of support to those who may not feel comfortable reaching out for help and offers another level of anonymity.
We know that all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing are inextricably linked. If people don’t have money, they don’t eat well, and that affects their physical wellbeing which in turn impacts on their mental health.
Shout works for our audience because it’s an easily accessible confidential service that provides vital support for those in need. A worker can text while sitting in the break room with no chance of being overheard or text information that they may not want their colleagues to know about. The service also provides a discreet method of communication for those in vulnerable situations such as domestic violence, whatever time of the day or night.
Additionally, the anonymised data that we receive from our audience’s usage enables us to understand some of the key issues being raised and augment our charitable services to meet areas with the greatest need. We are able to provide everything from free counselling to financial assistance and our collective efforts ensure workers remain fit and healthy at work and home.
What challenges do your audience face?
Our target audience is anyone working in the construction industry or allied trades and their dependents. Often workers are away from home with no support system close to them so are isolated and vulnerable.
They have also been affected by the cost of living crisis in the UK, both in terms of the day to day impact on their personal finances, but also through the reduced amount of work and income available within the industry.
The reduction in income and increase in costs has put excessive financial pressure on construction workers, leading to increased debt and worsening mental health as they struggle to cope.
What was it about the Shout text support service that appealed to you for your audience?
Shout works for our audience because it’s a confidential service that’s easy to access and that provides vital support for those in need. A worker can text while sitting in the break room with no chance of being overheard. They can discuss information that they may not want their colleagues to know about. The service also provides a discreet method of communication for those in vulnerable situations such as domestic violence, whatever time of the day or night.
Additionally the anonymised data that we receive from our audience’s usage of Shout helps us target our services to the areas with greatest need.
You can find out more about the Lighthouse charity and the people it supports below:
