Bummed Out
Working in construction and related trades can put a strain on your body and mind. It can also be hard to know who to turn to when you’re feeling low or you’re in emotional pain. But you’re not alone, there are people who can help.
Chronic pain, long hours, tight deadlines, relationship worries, debt, and feelings of isolation can leave people in the industry feeling strung out and feeling desperate. They often turn to drugs and alcohol or gambling to cope, which bring their own problems and make things worse.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of people who can help below. You can find help for a range of issues including drug and alcohol addiction, debt, suicidal thoughts and more.
Not an easy game
One man who’s been working on building sites for decades told he suffers with depression but has found it hard to speak to people with the industry about it.
It’s not an easy game, especially as you get older. I’ve suffered with depression for a few years now and also had it in my younger days. There’s a stigma around it so you kept it to yourself. And there's a lot of people that I've seen on sites and I know they’re not well.
Can you relate to this? If so, help is available. Check out the range of support available below and speak to someone today.
Support for men
Lighthouse Charity
Free and confidential support for construction workers and their families. Lighthouse offers emotional, physical and financial advice via phone, text and webchat.
- Tel: 0345 605 1956 (24 hours a day, every day)
- Text 'HARDHAT' to 85258
- Webchat: Mon - Fri 9am to 6pm https://lighthousecharity.org
Band of Builders
A national construction charity offering practical, financial and wellbeing support to the UK construction industry.
- Website: https://bandofbuilders.org
Hounslow Safe Space Helpline
The Safe Space Helpline run by Mind supports adults who are struggling or feeling overwhelmed.
- Tel: 020 3475 5185 (11am-11pm, every day)
Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health, NHS
If you are in a mental health crisis, you can speak to the Mental Health Single Point of Access at any time of the day. You do not need to be referred.
- Tel: 0800 3284 4444 (24 hours a day, every day)
- Website: www.westlondon.nhs.uk/our-services/adult/mental-health-services/single-point-access
Samaritans
Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope and needs someone to listen.
- Tel: 116 123 (24 hours a day, every day)
- E-mail: Jo@Samaritans.org
- Website: www.samaritans.org
Papyrus HOPELINE247
If you are having thoughts of suicide, or are concerned for a young person who might be, you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice.
- Tel: 0800 068 4141
- Text: 88247 (both 24 hours a day, every day)
- Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Shout - Crisis Text Line
- Text 'Shout' to 85258 (24 hours a day, every day)
Men’s Minds Hounslow
A men’s mental health network run by Mind but directed by its members. See the Men's Minds website for details of group activities or email: mensminds@hfemind.org.uk
Unit 27, Ground Floor, Treaty Centre, 44 High St, Hounslow TW3 1ES.
Hounslow Men’s Shed, Isleworth
Men’s Sheds are kitted out community spaces where men can enjoy practical hobbies. They’re about making friends, learning and sharing skills. Many guys come just for the tea and banter – everyone’s welcome.
Based in the main Chapel building at Isleworth Cemetery, Park Road, Isleworth, TW7 6AX. Sessions are Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.30pm (last entry at 2.30pm).
- Website: https://menssheds.org.uk
Andy’s Man Club, Hammersmith
A completely confidential and free of judgement support group. You can simply turn up and talk as much or as little as you like with no pressure.
Every Monday (except Bank Holidays) 7-9pm.
- Address: NAZ Project premises: 30 Blacks Road, Hammersmith W6 9DT.
- Website: https://www.andysmanclub.co.uk
Men Who Talk
Free online social groups for men on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Men can talk about what matters without judgement.
- Website: https://menwhotalk.org
Lighthouse Charity
Free and confidential support for construction workers and their families. Lighthouse offers emotional, physical and financial advice via phone, text and webchat.
- Tel: 0345 605 1956 (24 hours a day, every day)
- Text service: text ‘HARDHAT’ to 85258
- Web chat (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm)
- Website: https://lighthousecharity.org
James’ Place
James’ Place want to make sure that help is available for every man facing a suicidal crisis and to support them to find hope for the future.
- Tel: 020 3488 8404
- Website: https://www.jamesplace.org.uk
- Address: 20 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8LP
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
CALM offer practical advice and information with the aim to help people end their misery, not their lives.
- Tel: 0800 585 858 (5pm-12am, every night)
- Website: www.thecalmzone.net/
ManUp?
Manup have produced a range of podcasts of men talking about their mental health challenges and how they have overcome them.
- Website: https://www.manup.how/
ARC Hounslow (Drug and Alcohol support)
A free and confidential service that supports residents of the London Borough of Hounslow with alcohol or drug problems.
- Tel: 01895 488675
- E-mail: cnw-tr.archounslow@nhs.net
- Address: Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow TW3 1LD.
- Website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/addictions/arc-hounslow
Crosslight Advice
Free money advice for those who are struggling with debts or need help budgeting.
- Website: https://www.crosslightadvice.org
Debt Free Advice
Debt Free advice provide free, expert advice to those with problem debt. Their advice is available in person, via phone, video chat and WhatsApp.
- Tel: 0800 808 5700 (8am-8pm every day)
- Website: https://debtfreeadvice.com
Gordon Moody
Whether you need advice, counselling, online support or a structured residential treatment course, the team can help you overcome problems created by gambling.
- Tel: 01384 241 292
- E-Mail: help@gordonmoody.org.uk
- Website: https://gordonmoody.org.uk
Gamcare
Gamcare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling. You can call, chat via WhatsApp or over the web or connect with others via their online forums.
Tel: 0808 8020 133 (24 hours a day, every day)
Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
Dads House
Practical and emotional support for single fathers including free family law clinics, peer support group meetings and social activities.
- E-mail: info@dadshouse.org.uk
- Address: 22 Lillie Road, London SW6 1TS
- Website: https://www.dadshouse.org.u
StrongMen
Telephone based peer to peer support and free online counselling for men who’ve been bereaved.
- Website: https://www.strongmen.org.uk
Jonathan’s House Ministries
Confidential support for men who have been or are being abused.
- Tel: 0800 524 4202
- Website: https://jonathanshouse.org.uk
Polish Klan Association
Social and cultural events, workshops, foodbank referrals and clothes for those who are homeless or in financial difficulty
Meetings every Monday (during school term time) 6pm-8pm at Hounslow Youth Centre, 68 Kingsley Road, Hounslow TW3 1QA.
- Tel: 07423 287 372
- E-mail: info@polishklan.co.uk
- Website: https://polishklan.co.uk
London Spark
London Spark provides the Polish Citizens Advice Centre offering free support and legal advice.
- To make an appointment call 07984 711311 or email: anna@londonspark.org.uk
- Website: https://londonspark.org.uk/indexen.html
Barka UK
Barka offers housing, legal and welfare advice along with emotional support. It also has an employment programme and a scheme for people to reconnect with their home country.
- E-mail: info@barkauk.org
- Website: https://barkauk.org
POSK Polish Centre
The Polish Social and Cultural Association is the largest Polish centre in Europe. It has a theatre, library, art gallery, restaurant and café. POSK hosts a range of exhibitions, meetings, concerts, film screenings and theatrical performances.
- Address: 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RF
- Tel: 020 8741 1940
- E-mail: admin@posk.org
- Website: https://posk.org/en