Heating and plumbing material suppliers are being urged to come together with merchants and pledge their support for a new mental health support initiative which aims to reach every customer of every merchant branch in the UK.
Every Merchant Matters has been launched with the aim of harnessing the reach of the builders merchant sector to create a nationwide network of branches where construction workers can find someone who is available to listen, start a conversation and help signpost them towards mental health support.
Merchants interact with thousands of tradespeople every day, frequently developing trusted relationships with customers. That means they can sometimes spot the small but important signs that somebody is not themselves – and have an opportunity to ask simple questions, start a conversation and point them towards help.
The campaign is the brainchild of national construction charity Band of Builders – which has partnered with the Support Yard CIC and has the backing of Builders Merchants Federation (BMF). It is urging merchants to come together to take the first step and pledge their support by going to https://www.bandofbuilders.org/every-merchant-matters/.
Every Merchant Matters was launched at the latest BMF Members’ Day, attended by more than 400 industry figures. Once a pledge has been made, merchants will be encouraged to make a small donation to receive a Branch Activation Kit, with resources to promote the campaign and materials to hand out to colleagues and customers.
Branches will also be encouraged to sign up to the ‘Spotting the Signs, Starting the Conversation’ training programme delivered by The Support Yard CIC. The three-hour online or in-person course is designed to give people across the building materials sector the skills and confidence to recognise when something may have changed, start a conversation and signpost people towards appropriate support.
Gavin Crane, CEO of Band of Builders, says:
“The potential of Every Merchant Matters is enormous. Builders merchants are woven into the fabric of construction communities across the UK, with thousands of conversations taking place across trade counters every single day.”
The course can be booked for individuals, while companies can arrange dedicated onsite training for their teams.
See more information and make a pledge at https://www.bandofbuilders.org/every-merchant-matters/.
