6. Taking Better Care of Your Physical/Mental Wellbeing, Business & Co-Workers

On ‘Technique of the Week’, Chris is joined by Dylan White (D. White Plastering) to discuss the struggles and lessons to be learnt in setting up your own business. Chris gives Dylan some advice on how to push on with his new plastering business and Dylan and Chris discuss mentoring apprentices on site - the balance between honesty, constructive criticism and positive reinforcement. Steve Edwards, Plastering Lecturer at the Leeds College of Building joins Chris for ‘Tools of the Trade’ to discuss one of the most important tools plasterers have to work with - their body! Steve himself had to retire from plastering in his early 40s due to persistent back pain and was lucky enough to find a career path teaching the trade. Steve still has to have a lot of physio and now makes sure to teach the younger generation of plasterers the importance of self preservation and working sensibly when on site. For Frediani’s Hall of Fame this week we’re changing pace slightly to reflect on the importance of mental health with World Mental Health Day on Saturday. Stephen Haynes from Mates in Mind, a construction focussed mental health charity joins Chris to discuss the importance of having a dialogue in the workplace in regards to mental wellbeing. Chris asks for some practical advice on how plasterers (and trades people in general) can approach co-workers they’ve sometimes known for years and ask open and leading questions that can help start a conversation around mental health.