After being introduced to the great services the Lighthouse construction industry charity provides construction workers, the NRL Group were delighted to add their financial support by signing up to become a company supporter.
The construction industry charity provides free support to thousands of workers across the UK and Ireland, helping where it’s needed most and raising awareness of key topics such as mental health. Services are available to construction workers and their families and provide vital support to 2,800 construction families in crisis in 2021 and provided 1,250 mental health counselling sessions.
The charity provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support through a range of communication channels – including a 24/7 helpline, text message service and mobile app - designed to ensure support is available to people when they’re ready to talk to someone or want to seek out information on their own. A network of Lighthouse Beacons is also available in 160 locations across the UK and Ireland, for a face-to-face confidential chat with a trained volunteer.
Statistics show that every day in the UK and Ireland, 2 construction workers take their own life. 39 fatalities occur on site each year on average, and there are 82,000 reported work-related illnesses directly attributed to working in the construction industry every year. In fact, the industry is not short of statistics, including more than 2,000 major accidents each year that incapacitate workers and 1 in 5 work-related illnesses concerning stress, anxiety or depression.
Established in 1956, emotional wellness services include support with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, sleep and suicidal thoughts. Whilst physical wellbeing covers occupational health, aches and pains, nutrition, weight management, cancer support, alcohol and drug addiction. To help with financial troubles, the charity can also assist with emergency financial aid, state benefit entitlement, budgeting, debt management, tax and legal advice, CIC, and retirement planning.
The NRL Group operates across a range of engineering sectors, such as directly engaging operational teams to undertake rail maintenance work trackside, and contracting thousands of temporary workers each year to support client construction and infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally.
Supporting these workers is of the upmost importance to NRL’s Group Executive board and regional teams, including their welfare both inside and outside of work. Signing up as a company supporter of the Lighthouse charity means that NRL’s workers have a route to access services, from an emergency food shop to receiving confidential counselling.
Discussing NRL’s company support for the Lighthouse charity Group Director Greg Compton said,
“We’re delighted to be able to join the growing list of organisations supporting the Lighthouse charity, and thank them for the tireless work their team does to help construction workers and their families.
It’s no secret that the construction industry is a widely male-dominated industry, making the need to talk about mental health and break the taboo of asking for help even more important. The Lighthouse charity also provides access for our own NRL colleagues to undertake recognised Mental Health First Aid training, which we’re keen to take advantage of.
Meanwhile, we’re looking forward to seeing how we can actively support the Lighthouse charity, and how we can raise awareness within our contracting community, and the wider industry, about the fantastic services they provide.”
Everyone needing to access the Lighthouse charity's free services can do so below:
24/7 Construction Industry Helpline: 0345 605 1956 (1800 939 122 in ROI)
Text HARDHAT to 85258 (or 50808 in ROI)
Download the free mobile app by searching for Construction Industry Helpline in your app store