October 2018
Jointly with our sister company, Story Contracting, we have committed to supporting Mind as our charity partner until 2020, after it was revealed that poor mental health is becoming more common in the construction industry.
A 2017 study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that the risk of suicide among those working in construction roles was three times higher than the male national average.
Our two businesses will carry out various activities to raise funds for Mind, take steps to provide vital support to our workforces and break down the stigma around mental health.
The Chief Executives from Story Homes and Story Contracting, Fred Story and Jason Butterworth, have signed the charity’s Time to Change Employer Pledge – a national campaign to demonstrate how companies are committed to changing how they think and act about mental health in the workplace.
The first project we have undertaken is to help refurbish The Lighthouse project in Carlisle, which is run by Carlisle Eden Mind and offers face to face support every night of the year to people in times of crisis. Representatives from our two companies visited The Lighthouse to meet volunteers and to chat about what work needs to be carried out to create a better environment for those who use the service.
With a presence across the North of England and Scotland, we will also work with other local branches of Mind to support the charity as much as possible.
Fred Story, who owns both businesses, commented: “We want our staff, subcontractors and suppliers to know that support is there should they need it and we also want to help people in the areas where we work.
“We have so far had a very positive response from our office-based and site-based colleagues. 68 Story Homes and Story Contracting staff have now undertaken Mental Health First Aid Training with Mind and there have been several recorded instances where this training has had a life-changing impact for individuals within our business. We’re looking forward to working together to make as much of an impact as possible over the next two years.”
Tara Quinn, chief executive officer at Carlisle Eden Mind, said: “We are delighted that Story Homes and Story Contracting have made such a massive and long term commitment to supporting people experiencing difficult mental health issues in this local community.
“The work being undertaken on the building which delivers The Lighthouse evening service and all of our daytime services will make an immense difference to the support we are able to provide, and also improve the environment and experience that some of the most vulnerable people we serve have when they visit us.”
