As the Big Brew mental health campaign returns for its second year, organisers Band of Builders have launched a new text service that tradespeople can contact at any time to get the support they need.

Sponsored by Big Red Construction, the Big Brew aims to encourage more tradespeople and contractors to come together over a cuppa as the first step in seeking help with a range of issues, from general anxiety – due to factors such as the cost-of-living crisis – to suicidal thoughts. These sessions are held throughout the UK at merchants and on construction sites, with more than 250 events planned for this year.

However, those less keen on the face-to-face aspect of the Big Brew can reach out 24-hours a day by texting BOB to 85258 to get the help they need. It’s available to tradespeople, contractors and their families who are struggling to open up in person.

Big Brew events will be held starting in October to complement World Mental Health Day, and the Big Brew organisers point to shocking figures that highlight the scale of the mental health crisis in construction.

● UK construction sector workers are nearly three times as likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in other industries.
● The suicide rate of UK construction workers is estimated to be as high as two people every day.
● Mental health issues are responsible for approximately a £37 billion cost to the UK construction industry every year.
● 90% of construction managers have struggled with their mental health.
Finding from a survey jointly organised by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA)
● In the UK alone, 400,000 working days were lost to mental health issues in 2018 (55% of all days lost). Data from HSE

Peter Cape, the Big Brew lead at Band of Builders, can’t stress enough how a simple cup of tea or coffee can be the tipping point for tradespeople and contractors to open up to one another about their mental health.

“The first ever Big Brew highlighted just how much the construction industry was crying out for something that gave tradespeople and contractors the outlet to get together over a cuppa and discuss the wider issue of mental health and wellbeing – and open up individually to workmates or even staff at their local builders’ merchants,” says Peter.

“The challenge has been to make it as easy as possible for tradespeople and contractors to take that all-important first step and reach out for help. It’s fair to say that construction workers, like everyone else in the UK, are facing difficult times with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, so it’s more important than ever that they have somewhere to turn to if they need to talk – whether that’s in person or via text.

“We know from feedback from last year that the Big Brew has already changed people’s lives – with tradespeople and contractors telling us that a simple cuppa with a workmate had been that all-important first step in admitting they were having issues with their mental health. In a few cases, there were people who were in crisis.”

Mike Lomas, MD of Big Red Industries, praised the trailblazing work of the Big Brew and said that Big Red Construction was proud to be a supporter of a “brilliantly simple” campaign.

He says: “Through partnering with Band of Builders on this remarkable campaign, we hope not only to increase awareness of the mental health support services that are available but also to encourage other construction companies to join us in being part of the change. Big Red, big change.”

There’s still time to register interest in hosting a Big Brew event at https://bandofbuilders.org, and you can join in the conversation online by using the hashtag #GiveYourselfABreak.