Randstad chooses Lighthouse as construction charity partner

HR and recruitment firm Randstad UK & Ireland has announced that Lighthouse is to be one of its charity partners for 2023/4.

The Lighthouse Charity offers emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support of construction workers and their families. In 2022, its helpline supported 3,421 construction families in crisis and since 1st January, the charity has supported 1,267 families with financial grants, provided 1,577 counselling sessions, and delivered 2,394 meals for families.

Randstad’s construction and property team places more than 20,000 people into a wide range of permanent and contractor roles within the construction industry across the UK and Ireland every year.

Victoria Short, CEO of Randstad UK & Ireland, said: “This is a worthwhile initiative and we are looking forward to supporting the Lighthouse Charity and its vision for a brighter future for construction workers and their families. 

“We place in excess of 20,000 people into construction roles every year and hold our responsibilities of supporting those people in high regard. We will be helping to raise awareness of the charity and will aim to shine a light on mental health issues within the construction industry. 

"Every single working day in the UK, two construction workers take their own lives and stress, depression or anxiety accounts for 27% of work-related illnesses in construction. While the charity has developed training, ongoing support, a confidential helpline and text support service, to try and reduce those numbers, we all need to do our part in raising awareness, removing stigma and encouraging people in the industry to reach out for support.” 

Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, said: “In 2022, more people than ever before reached out for our help and we supported 3,421 families through difficult and challenging times, an increase of 23% on the previous year. We can only achieve this with the help of organisations like Randstad. We could not operate without our incredible supporters — we receive no public funding and rely on support from within the industry to help us provide vital support services to our construction families in need. The support of Randstad’s construction and property team will contribute hugely to our work.”

In Randstad’s most recent health report in the construction industry, more than a third of 3,400 construction workers polled (34%) reported experiencing a mental health condition within the previous year. Just under a quarter of construction workers (23%) said they were considering leaving the industry in the next year as a result.

Short added: “With construction workers three times more likely to take their own lives than the wider population, it’s crucial we highlight this problem and encourage people to open up about mental health issues. We're honoured to help those in need of expert advice through our continued support of the Lighthouse Charity. It’s heartwarming to know that our contribution to the charity will assist the recovery of construction workers who have faced mental ill health.” 

Find out more at www.lighthouseclub.org