Bowmer + Kirkland, alongside Ark Fire Protection delivered a large scale site wide mental health stand down in Manchester to highlight the support available to their teams through the Lighthouse Charity’s charitable services.
More than 250 workers across Bowmer + Kirkland’s Echo Street site paused work to take part in the initiative. The stand down was a deliberate interruption to the working day, creating space to acknowledge the pressures faced by construction workers and to encourage open, honest conversations around mental health.
The session was led by Lighthouse Charity’s Lead Partnership Manager, Tricia Cunningham with a frank and engaging talk which addressed mental health, suicide prevention and the realities many people in the sector face, with a focus on breaking stigma, recognising warning signs and encouraging individuals to seek help when needed.
By stepping away from daily pressures, workers were able to directly engage with an issue that continues to impact the industry at alarming levels. Following the talk, attendees were encouraged to continue conversations informally over coffee, reinforcing the importance of connection and peer support on site.
To extend the message beyond the site, Bowmer + Kirkland and Ark Fire Protection illuminated the Manchester scheme’s façade. The projection displayed powerful messages drawn from lived experience within construction.
Sara Stothard, Group Wellbeing Lead for Bowmer + Kirkland said, “We took an hour out of everyone’s day to focus on mental health and awareness. We wanted to give them the opportunity to talk about how they are feeling, especially during this time of year where the days are short and people are faced with loneliness and may be struggling. If this stand down encourages one person to speak up, its worth every minute and every penny we invest in mental health.”
Howard Hudson Ark MD added. “ Today was just a stepping stone and illustrates what one movement can do to raise awareness of where people can find help and who they can talk to. It also gives people the opportunity to start a conversation and openly talk with each other about any issues they are struggling with. We’re responsible for making sure people are aware of these tools and that support is available. This starts with us; awareness starts with us.”
The stand down and projection form part of Bowmer + Kirkland’s wider commitment, alongside Ark Fire Protection, to prioritise wellbeing across sites and supply chains.
The projection was delivered with the generous support of Bowmer + Kirkland’s trusted suppliers on the scheme: Bolton Steel Structures Ltd, WysePower, Smith Painters Ltd, Brand Access Solutions, A&B Engineering, Xsign, Richmond Furniture, Eire Facades, Keith Walton Brickwork Limited, S1 Roofing Ltd, Taylor Hart Limited and Zarafa Group. Coffee and hot drinks on the day were provided by Grounded MCR, a social enterprise supporting and training vulnerable adults.
