Football legends lend their voices to mental health initiative for construction workers

LMC provided PR support for the event, which included securing broadcast coverage on BBC Breakfast and a series of articles in local and national media.

Helped by creative photo opportunities, coordinated on site in partnership with a PA photographer, we managed to take this story to an audience of approximately 580,000 people.

“Days like these are when PR really comes alive at LMC,” said account director Simon White. “After months of preparation with the client and the media, it was exciting to see everything come together, with broadcast journalists, film crews, photographers and clients all on the ground for a fantastic, high impact event.”

Part of the management of the day included coordinating the Mindflow Ambassadors in attendance, including Manchester City’s David White, Paul Dickov and Paul Lake, Tottenham Hotspur’s Paul Stewart, and Sheffield United’s Curtis Woodhouse.

“All of the Ambassadors have publicly shared their challenges around mental health, and it’s important to get the tone right on a day like this,” added Simon. “Their stories need to be told sensitively and openly, especially as they are the key to getting people to share their own experiences.”

Research conducted on-site by Trevor Steven, supported by construction software company Causeway Technologies, found that more than half (56%) of site workers are either currently experiencing or have experienced mental health problems.

The industry is especially vulnerable due to factors like long irregular hours, many workers being self-employed, and high-pressure working environments.

The survey found that many workers in the industry (67%) are football fans, and the charity aims to create a culture of proactive support and early intervention by joining the dots between construction, mental health, and football.

Through Mindflow’s ‘Talk Football Talk Mental Health’ programme, current and ex-football players will visit construction sites to deliver mental health awareness sessions, encourage conversation, and recruit volunteers from each session to train as mental health first aiders.

Mindflow is also asking organisations to sign up to its Charter. This will introduce a consistent, and measurable standard for mental health provisions onsite, set out by the local authority on publicly funded projects. Visit Mindflow to find out more.