New support service for Construction workers and families launched

From the 1 February 2022 Lighthouse, The Construction Industry Charity, is providing a new support service for construction workers and their families.

Text HARDHAT to 85258 provides immediate support to those who are in crisis and feel more comfortable texting with someone rather than having a one to one telephone conversation. The charity’s other services include the 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline and Helpline App. 

The texting service is available any time of the day or night and offers free, anonymous and confidential support to anyone in the Construction industry who is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, suicidal or simply struggling with everyday life.

By texting HARDHAT to 25258, you will be put in touch with a trained volunteer who will ask for a little more information about what the problem is, with the individual sharing what they feel comfortable with. The volunteers listen without judgement and can provide support and guidance on a huge variety of issues including; feeling anxious, relationship problems, loneliness and isolation, abuse, addiction, depression, bullying and harassment, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts and feelings.

The text conversation will only finish when the volunteer has helped the person to reach a calm and safe place. They will also be able to provide a plan so that users can understand how to help themselves going forward and signpost to further resources or tools to provide more expert support.

Lighthouse, The Construction Industry Charity is a charity that SML regularly donates to, and we’re delighted that they were able to support 2,788 families in 2021.