Local businesses Story Homes and Story Contracting have joined forces to raise more than £28,000 for mental health charity Mind.
Over the past two years, the two Carlisle-headquartered companies selected Mind as their charity partner, with all staff and business fundraising going to this worthwhile organisation. Staff across the two businesses carried out various fundraising activities to raise money for the charity – from sporting challenges and bake sales, to raffles and pub quizzes.
Following the sizable monetary donation, the businesses – which were both founded by Fred Story – are delighted to announce that they will extend their charity partnership with Mind, dedicating colleague and company fundraising to the mental health organisation.
Mind provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and the funds raised by Homes and Contracting will be divided between the local Mind branches in each of the companies’ operational regions – including Carlisle, Newcastle, Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.
Fred Story, founder of both businesses, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Mind. Working within construction, we understand the importance of improving mental health and we are dedicated to ensuring that nobody suffers in silence. There can be a certain stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, especially in young men, but it is a subject that we need to continue to talk about and ensure that we have the right support networks in place across our two businesses.”
Jason Butterworth, CEO Story Contracting, said: “Over the past two years both businesses have made great progress in raising awareness and understanding of mental health; but construction is one of the industries most affected by this issue, so there’s an ongoing role for us all in making sure colleagues have the help and support they need. It’s vital that our two businesses keep working hard to break down these barriers, and this is why we have chosen to continue our support for Mind as one of our charity partners.”
The £28,000 donation – with £12,656 of this going to Carlisle Eden Mind – is in addition to the renovation work to Carlisle Eden Mind’s Lighthouse carried out by the two companies in 2018. Subcontractors for both businesses offered their materials, labour and time to help renovate The Lighthouse and a number of Story staff also donated their time to help with the refurbishments. The overall investment in the project equated to almost £30,000.
Tara Quinn, CEO of Carlisle Eden Mind, said: “Once again, Carlisle Eden Mind are excited to have the support of Story Homes and Story Contracting particularly in a time of great uncertainty. We would like to thank both organisations for their much-needed contributions and every penny, as always, will go towards those we are here to help and support.”
These are just a few of the worrying statistics about mental health within the construction industry:
- A construction worker is more likely to die of suicide than a fall from height
- Males working in skilled trades have a 35% higher risk of suicide than the male national average
- Every year over 400 construction workers commit suicide
- The risk of suicide among male labourers is three times higher than the male national average
- 55% of workers have experienced mental health issues in their lives
- Almost half of women working in the sector are dealing with poor mental health
