At UK Electrical (UKE), we believe that supporting the wellbeing of our staff is just as important as delivering exceptional work for our clients. This January, we were proud to mark the start of 2025 with a mental health awareness initiative that brought meaningful conversations to the forefront of our industry.
On Tuesday, 7th January, we welcomed representatives from the Lighthouse Club Charity’s Make It Visible team, Andy Bishop and Jack Roebuck, to two of our active sites: Newport Pagnell and NGW4 Yusen. The goal? To address the often-overlooked issue of mental health in construction and to empower our teams with knowledge, support, and practical resources.
The Importance of Mental Health in Construction
The construction industry has long been associated with challenging conditions, high stress levels, and a culture that historically hasn’t prioritised mental health. But things are changing.
Andy and Jack delivered engaging “Toolbox Talks”, sharing their personal stories of mental health challenges and how the Lighthouse Club Charity has helped those in need. Their approach was authentic and heartfelt, breaking down barriers and encouraging open dialogue among our staff.
Alongside these powerful anecdotes, the talks also highlighted the support and resources available through Make It Visible, including their 24/7 helpline and other services tailored for construction workers.
A Positive Response from Our Team
Feedback from the sessions was overwhelmingly positive, with our site teams reflecting on how important it is to create a culture where everyone feels able to talk. By the end of the talks, there was a strong sense of collective agreement: mental health matters, and it’s essential to have support systems in place.
Attendees also received goody bags containing information about Lighthouse Club services and some practical freebies, which helped reinforce the session’s key messages.
“It was heartening to see how openly our teams engaged with these talks. Their willingness to embrace the topic of mental health speaks volumes about the culture we’re building at UKE.”
– Olivia Chadwick, UKE’s welfare officer
Celebrating One Year of UKE’s Mental Health Scheme
This initiative coincides with the one-year anniversary of UKE’s own Mental Health Scheme, a programme designed to support our employees and promote a workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing.
Over the past year, our Mental Health Champions and First Aiders have played a vital role in driving this forward. We’re now looking to expand this network and encourage more team members to get involved.
By empowering our staff with training and resources, we’re aiming to make mental health support accessible to everyone, whether they need it themselves or want to provide it to others.
What’s Next for UKE?
At UKE, we recognise that this is just the beginning. We’re committed to continuing our mental health journey, raising awareness, and breaking down the stigma around mental health in construction.
As we grow our Mental Health Champion network, we’ll also continue to collaborate with organisations like the Lighthouse Club Charity to ensure our staff are supported both on and off-site. Together, we’re building a better future one that puts people at the heart of everything we do.
A huge thank you to Andy Bishop, Jack Roebuck, and the Lighthouse Club Charity team for their inspiring talks, and to our own staff for embracing these discussions with openness and enthusiasm. Together, we can build not just great projects, but also a workplace that supports everyone’s mental wellbeing.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about the Make It Visible campaign and the incredible work being done by the Lighthouse Club Charity, you can visit their website here: Make It Visible.
At UKE, we’re proud to lead the way in addressing mental health within the construction industry. If you’d like to join us or learn more about what we do, feel free to reach out we’re always happy to have a conversation.
