Build & Thrive

In this episode of the Build and Thrive Podcast, host Stuart Mace is joined by Keith Prince, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Sizewell C Site Delivery, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of health, safety and wellbeing in construction.Together, Stuart and Keith explore the evolving role of health and safety professionals - moving away from the stereotype of “clipboard warriors” towards what Keith describes as “risk Jedi”: professionals who enable work to happen safely through practical, engineered solutions.The conversation dives into some of the biggest challenges facing the industry today, including:Why wellbeing is not a bolt-on to safety - it’s fundamental to itThe role leadership plays in creating healthier, safer workplacesHow major projects like Sizewell C are rethinking welfare, culture and workforce engagementWhy construction still has a long way to go in addressing occupational health risksThe importance of genuinely involving the workforce in how work is planned and deliveredIf you care about the future of construction health, safety and wellbeing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.comEpisode Links:Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Keith Prince:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-prince-b862621/Sizewell C:Website: https://www.sizewellc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sizewellcInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sizewellc/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sizewellc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sizewellcX: https://x.com/sizewellcGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path. Email [email protected]

In this episode of Build and Thrive, Jennie Armstrong is joined by Martin Wilshire, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director at Multiplex, for a practical and honest conversation about one of construction’s biggest health risks: dust.This episode goes beyond awareness and looks at what real action can look like in practice. Martin shares his career journey from the Royal Air Force into construction, how his understanding of occupational health developed over time, and why Multiplex decided to take a strong position on silica risk through its Silica 25 campaign.Together, Jennie and Martin explore the realities of managing dust exposure on site, the challenges around respiratory protection and health surveillance, and why the way the industry is structured still makes long-term health protection harder than it should be. They also touch on psychosocial risk, what the UK can learn from Australia, and why leadership commitment is essential if we want to create healthier, safer places to work.In this episode, we cover:Why occupational health can no longer be seen as secondary to safetyThe realities of silica exposure and why Multiplex launched Silica 25The dangers of accelerated silicosis and why this issue needs urgent attentionThe importance of using the right respiratory protective equipmentWhy close-fitting masks and facial hair remain such a common issue on siteWhy leadership data and health intervention tours are helping identify the biggest risksHow innovation, robotics and new technology could help reduce future health risksThis is a really valuable episode for anyone who wants to move from talking about occupational health to actually doing something about it.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.comEpisode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Martin Wilshire:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-wilshire-5b120254/Multiplex:Website: https://www.multiplex.global/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/multiplexconstruction__au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/multiplex/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MultiplexconstructionGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path. Email [email protected]

In this powerful episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong sits down with Steve Kerslake, founder of Construction Sport and long-time construction worker turned mental health campaigner.Recorded inside the Construction Sport studio, this is an honest, unfiltered conversation about trauma, pressure, suicide, sport, leadership and why the industry must go beyond awareness and into accountability.Steve shares his deeply personal journey - from surviving a violent attack early in his career, to navigating serious health challenges, to founding a charity that’s now influencing national conversations around mental health and workplace legislation.But this isn’t just about raising awareness.It’s about asking harder questions.In this episode, we cover:How a charity walk across Crossrail sparked the birth of Construction SportWhy community - not just sport - is the real interventionThe hidden cost of long hours, pressure and financial instability in constructionWhy many mental health initiatives fail on siteThe case for making suicide reportable under RIDDORWhat accountability could mean for the future of workplace mental healthHow trauma shows up physically and why “the body keeps the score”What real success looks like for the next five yearsIf you work in construction - whether on site, in leadership, in safety, HR, or policy - this conversation matters.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.comEpisode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Steve Kerslake:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-kerslake-650183174/Construction Sport Contracts Ltd:Website: https://www.constructionsport.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/constructionsportInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/constructionsport/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/constructionsportcontracts/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConSpoTVGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path. Email [email protected]

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong introduces a very special guest and a new voice you’ll be hearing a lot more from - Stuart Mace, the newest team member at Construction Health & Wellbeing.The conversation challenges the idea that organisations are responsible for “managing” employees’ mental health. Instead, it reframes the responsibility: managing the work environment, reducing avoidable stressors, and acting on data before issues escalate.Stuart explains that good wellbeing practice is not about eliminating all stress. It’s about managing risk - just as construction already does so effectively in physical safety.This episode covers:Why most organisations are still stuck at “awareness”The misunderstandings around stress and psychosocial riskWhy stress risk assessments feel daunting but don’t need to beThe real opportunity behind ISO 45003The evolving role of Mental Health First AidersWhy listening to your workforce is the most powerful intervention you haveIf you’re a senior leader, health and safety professional, HR lead or project manager wondering what “good” really looks like in workplace wellbeing, this episode provides a grounded and realistic starting point.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.comEpisode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Stuart Mace:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path. Email [email protected]

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Colin Whiteley, Senior SHEQ Advisor at National Grid who is a construction professional with over 22 years’ experience and a doctoral researcher examining the overlooked link between mental health and safety in construction.Colin reflects on his journey from working on the tools to senior site and client-side roles, and why his research now focuses on whether risk-taking behaviour and near misses can be early warning signs of mental health distress, not just “human error”.What we cover:Colin’s journey through construction and into researchWhy “lack of concentration” shouldn’t end an investigationHow minor incidents may signal mental health distressThe impact of long hours, fatigue and job insecurityWhy some wellbeing initiatives don’t reach site levelThe role of managers, culture and stigmaSmall, practical changes that can improve safety and wellbeingIt’s a thoughtful conversation about prevention, responsibility and why mental health needs to be treated as a core safety issue in construction.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.comEpisode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ National Grid:Website: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grid/Facebook: https://facebook.com/nationalgridukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uknationalgridInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalgriduk/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nationalgridColin Whiteley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-whiteley-msc-5550b5137/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path. Email [email protected]

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Stuart Wallis, Associate Director at Mace, for an open and deeply honest conversation about fairness, culture and wellbeing in the construction industry.Drawing on decades of experience across unions, contractors and major infrastructure projects, Stuart shares a frontline perspective on what genuinely shapes people’s health, dignity and psychological safety at work and why good intentions alone are not enough.From welfare standards and trust on site to leadership accountability and the realities of mental health in a transient workforce, this episode moves beyond surface-level awareness and into the practical decisions that make or break people’s experience of construction.What we cover:Why fairness and dignity on site are fundamental to wellbeing, not “nice to have” extrasThe gap between leadership intent and lived experience for the workforcePsychological safety, speaking up and the fear of job lossMental health, neurodiversity and the pressures placed on individuals at every levelWhy awareness campaigns are not the same as preventionThe role of clients, contractors and supply chains in shaping healthier outcomesThroughout the conversation, Stuart reflects candidly on his own journey, including living with anxiety, depression and neurodiversity, and why vulnerability, trust and respect are essential if the industry is serious about change.This episode is essential listening for construction leaders, health and safety professionals, HR and IR teams, and anyone involved in shaping workplace culture across projects.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Mace:Website: https://www.macegroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mace-group/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MaceGroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/macegroupX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MaceGroupStuart Wallis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartwallis/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path. Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong is joined by Jo Yarker, Professor of Occupational Psychology and Co-Managing Partner at Affinity Health at Work, to explore what it really takes to improve mental health in the workplace.Together they unpack why many organisations are still stuck at “awareness”, and what a more practical, evidence-based and preventative approach looks like in construction. Jo shares insights from research and real-world consultancy on psychosocial risk, line manager behaviours, how to choose wellbeing products without wasting budget, and why implementation and evaluation matter as much as good intent.What we cover:Why workplace mental health efforts often stall at awareness, and how to shift into preventionHow construction can apply risk management thinking to psychosocial and mental health risksThe line manager behaviours that reduce stress, support return to work, and improve retentionWhy inconsistency from managers can be more damaging than getting it wrong occasionallyHow to choose wellbeing tools and services based on evidence, not glossWhat meaningful evaluation looks like, and how organisations can prove what is workingJo also shares a powerful perspective on the role of senior leaders, clients, and project-wide consistency, plus what is coming next from Affinity, including new frameworks to support wellbeing professionals and better research engagement across industry.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Affinity Health at Work:Website: https://www.affinityhealthatwork.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/affinity-health-at-work-ltd/Jo Yarker:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyarker/Supporting Occupational Health and Wellbeing ProfessionalsWebsite: https://www.som.org.uk/som-buyers-guide-wellbeing-products-or-servicesGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In this eye-opening episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Stu Drinkwater, co-founder of TAL (Take A Leak), and Andrea White, Managing Director at A W Fire Ltd, fire engineer and passionate advocate for better welfare in construction.We talk about toilets but this is far more than that!For years, mobile construction workers have normalised dehydration, discomfort, and unsafe workarounds simply because adequate welfare isn’t available between sites. From rationing water to eating lunch on stairwells, the stories shared are both familiar and unacceptable.Stu explains how Take A Leak was founded after he and co-founder Nathan realised just how widespread this issue is and how a simple, scalable solution could transform workers’ health, dignity and productivity. Through TAL’s growing network of host venues, mobile workers can access clean toilets, hot water, seating and microwaves within minutes, at no personal cost.Andrea brings a powerful perspective as both an industry professional and someone who has lived the problem first-hand. She highlights how welfare is not just a compliance issue, but a barrier to inclusion, retention and safety - particularly for women in construction.Together, we explore:Why welfare is the foundation for wellbeing, safety and performanceThe hidden health impacts of dehydration and restricted toilet accessThe “unspoken culture” that prevents workers from raising welfare concernsHow TAL works, and why employers and venues are rapidly getting on boardWhy fixing welfare is a strategic opportunity for recruitment and retentionHow leaders can take action now and why they mustThis episode shines a light on a problem hidden in plain sight across the industry and offers practical, immediate solutions.If you care about people, productivity, or the future of construction, you’ll want to hear this.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ TAL - Take A Leak:Website: https://talservices.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tal-services-uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tal_servicesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575799996641A W Fire Ltd:Website: https://awfire.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/awfire/Stu Drinkwater:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdrinkwater/Andrea White:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-white-fire-engineer/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ 

Sleep is often treated as a personal problem - something people just need to “sort out” in their own time. In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with GP and sleep specialist Dr David Garley, Director of The Better Sleep Clinic, to explore why sleep is actually a critical health and safety issue for construction.Drawing on his clinical work with patients and organisations - from major employers to elite sports teams - Dr Garley unpacks how poor sleep and fatigue drive accidents, long-term illness and performance problems. Together, Jennie and David look at what this means for construction employers: from shift patterns and long hours, to workers away from home, to the “badge of honour” culture around pushing through tiredness. Most importantly, they explore what can realistically be done - at both organisational and individual level - to help people sleep better and work more safely.What we cover:The difference between tiredness, sleepiness and fatigue - and why it matters for risk on siteHow poor sleep links to heart disease, diabetes, mental health and even dementia - in real-world, practical termsWhy construction workers may have particularly high rates of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea - and the signs leaders should look forThe hidden safety impact of fatigue: from an eight-fold rise in industrial accidents to one in five road collisions involving poor sleepWhat a sensible workplace sleep strategy looks like: anonymous assessment, targeted education, and clear referral routes for proper diagnosis and treatmentPractical steps supervisors, H&S teams and workers themselves can take to protect sleep around shift work, long hours and life outside of workThroughout the conversation, Dr David Garley makes a clear case that sleep is not a luxury or a sign of weakness - it is one of the three core pillars of performance alongside nutrition and exercise. For construction leaders who care about safety, productivity and long-term health, bringing sleep into the conversation is no longer optional.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ The Better Sleep Clinic:Website: https://www.thebettersleepclinic.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-sleep-clinic/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebettersleepclinicuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBetterSleepClinicUKDr David Garley:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-garley-tbsc/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Andy Mitchell, CEO of Tideway, and Steve Hails, Director of Business Services and Health, Safety & Wellbeing, to explore how one of the UK’s most ambitious engineering projects became a benchmark for culture, care, and collaboration in construction.Together, they discuss how the £4.6 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel - or “Super Sewer” - didn’t just clean up London’s river, but redefined what it means to build with purpose. From designing health and wellbeing into every contract, to creating the now-famous “RightWay” culture and industry-first Epic Induction, Tideway proved that profitability and people-first values can thrive side by side.Jennie reflects on her own seven-year journey with the project, as Andy and Steve share the honest lessons, challenges, and decisions that shaped one of the most progressive safety and wellbeing programmes in the sector - including how genuine care from leadership created trust, loyalty, and lasting change across thousands of workers and suppliers.What we cover:How Tideway combined world-class engineering with a culture of careThe vision that set new benchmarks for health, safety & wellbeingBuilding “one team” across client and contractors through trust and respectThe role of leadership in designing a healthy culture from the startWhy caring isn’t a cost - and how client-led change transforms outcomesLessons on fatigue, mental health, and the legacy of transformational leadershipAndy and Steve show that when a project starts right - with purpose, people, and partnership at its core - it becomes more than infrastructure. It becomes a legacy.If you want to understand how culture, health, and leadership can transform construction projects - this episode is essential listening.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Tideway:Website: https://www.tideway.london/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tideway-london/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidewaylondon/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/tidewaylondonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TidewayLondonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tidewaylondonAndy Mitchell:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mitchell-cbe-b1239424/Steve Hails:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-hails-4083a118/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionab

In this episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong speaks with Kevin Bampton, Chief Executive of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), about one of construction’s most overlooked challenges - protecting workers from ill health caused by work itself.They explore what occupational hygiene really means, why health has lagged behind safety in the industry, and how prevention-focused design can help create a construction sector that doesn’t just build structures - it sustains people. Kevin explains the role of BOHS in shaping standards, research, and advocacy across the UK, and shares why managing workplace health is both a moral duty and a major business advantage.What we cover:Why safety dominates attention while health risks remain hiddenHow long-term illnesses like respiratory disease, asthma, and vibration injuries develop - and how to prevent themThe economic cost of poor health management (including a 15% hit to labour costs)Why planning for health at design stage changes everythingHow construction can learn from other sectors and countries that treat their workforce like skilled athletesThe future of occupational hygiene - from policy to practiceKevin’s message is clear: no one should be made ill by their work. Real progress means moving beyond reactive care and embedding prevention at the heart of every project - because healthy workers build better, safer, and more sustainable futures.If you’re serious about creating a construction industry that values people as much as projects, this episode is essential listening.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Kevin Bampton:Website: https://www.bohs.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bampton-6b55441a3/  │https://www.linkedin.com/company/bohs/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohsworldX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BOHSworldFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BOHSworldYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pTnkODfIHad5s9dpuPrpwhttps://breathefreely.org.uk/https://www.bohs.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Mens-Health-Response-BOHS.pdfGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong brings together two specialists tackling addiction through different lenses: Nick McMurray (Positive Matters) on drugs and alcohol, and John Fenna (Bet Know More UK) on gambling harms. We explore why “zero tolerance” alone doesn’t change behaviour, how addiction intersects with mental health and money stress, and what a practical, prevention-led approach looks like on real construction sites.You’ll hear lived-experience insight, the realities behind “present but not present” at work, and the steps supervisors and leaders can take to move from tick-boxes to tools that actually help people and protect projects.What we coverWhy testing and sackings aren’t a strategy and what works insteadThe link between substance use, gambling, mental health and suicide riskYounger workforce trends (e.g. cannabis, cocaine, ketamine) and tailored messagingThe “three A’s” for organisations: Awareness, Acceptance, ActionPractical moves: policy with compassion, manager confidence, meaningful signpostingNick and John share evidence, insight, and compassion - showing how construction can move from tick-box policies to meaningful action that saves lives and strengthens workplaces.🎧 If you want to understand the real story behind addiction in construction and what your organisation can do about it - this episode is essential listening.📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ John Fenna:Website: https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betknowmore-uk/ │ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfenna/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betknowmoreuk/Nick McMurrayWebsite: https://positivematters.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positive-matters-ltd-uk/ │ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mcmurray-06b14628/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Jacqui Wallis, CEO of Genius Within, to explore a topic many in the construction industry are only just beginning to understand: neurodiversity at work.With over 25 years of experience and her own lived perspective as a neurodivergent leader, Jacqui brings insight, empathy, and practical solutions to a conversation that’s long overdue. Together, Jennie and Jacqui unpack what neurodiversity really means - covering both lifelong and acquired cognitive differences - and how these impact productivity, communication, safety, and wellbeing in high-pressure, fast-paced environments like construction.You’ll learn:What neurodiversity is (and isn’t)Why construction may have a higher prevalence of neurodivergent workersWhat the latest CITB-backed research says about prevalence and disclosureHow workplace design, communication style, and onboarding practices affect performanceSimple, no-cost strategies to better support your peopleWhy awareness is no longer enough - and where to go for free training and toolsJacqui also shares a powerful case study from a suicide prevention charity, offering a sobering reminder of the real human cost when mental health and cognitive health are overlooked.🎧 If you’re ready to build a more inclusive, productive, and resilient workforce - this episode is essential listening.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Jacqui Wallis:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiwallis/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/genius-within-cic/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacswol/Website: https://geniuswithin.org/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/GeniusWithinCICYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@geniuswithincicGenius Finder: Welcome | Genius FinderGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In this powerful and honest episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with Nick O’Shea – construction professional, podcast host, and person in recovery – to talk about the role addiction plays in the construction industry.With over a decade in construction and a personal journey through drug and alcohol addiction, Nick offers a deeply human perspective on the workplace culture that normalises excessive drinking, dismisses mental health, and enables risky behaviours. He opens up about how his own addiction was shaped by the industry, the badge-of-honour attitude towards pub culture, and why drug and alcohol testing isn't enough.They explore:Nick’s personal story of addiction, recovery and sobrietyThe impact of construction culture, long hours, and being away from homeWhy awareness alone isn’t enough – and how organisations need to take real actionThe difference between policy and lived experienceWhat the future of wellbeing in construction should look like – and how Nick’s Hard Hat Reset programme aims to support that shiftWhether you're in leadership, HR, boots on site or simply care about your colleagues, this episode is a must-listen. It's about breaking the stigma, challenging assumptions, and building an industry where wellbeing is more than a checkbox.🎧 Available as a podcast and video:🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Nick o’Shea:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-o%E2%80%99shea-2146541bb/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getsoberwithnick/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@G_S_W_NSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7liv2xGkqO2ETZjs1jPsLV?si=0f5815609d464a8e GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

Guest: Clare Forshaw: Professional Head of Health & Wellbeing RSSB. Founder & Director at UK Hearing Conservation Association. Board Member British Occupational Hygiene SocietyIn this powerful and insightful episode of Build & Thrive, host Jenny Armstrong is joined by Clare Forshaw  - respected occupational health expert and director of the UK Hearing Conservation Association - for a candid conversation on one of construction’s oldest and most underestimated health risks: noise.With decades of experience, including her time at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Clare shares why noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains the most commonly claimed industrial injury in the UK and why current approaches to noise risk are failing the workforce. From inadequate hearing protection to the risks of long-term cognitive decline and dementia, Clare makes a compelling case for urgent culture change.They discuss: 🔹 Why hearing loss is more than a minor inconvenience 🔹 How cognitive health, dementia, and isolation link to NIHL 🔹 What’s wrong with our current "tick-box" approach to noise management 🔹 Why younger generations may be arriving on site with existing hearing damage 🔹 What organisations can do - even on a budget - to reduce risk and improve outcomes 🔹 The vital role of leadership, planning and principal contractors in reducing exposureClare also explains how the UK Hearing Conservation Association is driving innovation, offering best practice resources, and helping employers rethink their responsibilities when it comes to protecting hearing in the workplace.If you work in construction, rail, or any noisy sector - this is a must-listen. And if you’re a leader wondering where noise risk fits into your wider wellbeing strategy, Clare will give you both the motivation and practical ideas to get started.🎧 Also available as a podcast and video – if you enjoy the blog or episode summary, be sure to check out the full conversation for even more insight.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Clare Forshaw: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-forshaw-7351564a/ UK Hearing Conservation Association: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-hearing-conservation-association/ GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with two brilliant guests - Andrew Russell Day, Senior Health & Safety Lead at Amazon, and Ryan Briggs, founder of FinWELL Training - to explore a topic often overlooked in the world of construction: financial wellbeing.Together, they unpack: 💰 What financial wellbeing really means 📉 Why it’s so often at the root of mental health challenges 👷‍♂️ How poor financial health impacts site safety and productivity 📊 What employers, from major clients to subcontractors, can do to take real, measurable actionThis powerful conversation also introduces Financial Wellbeing Month, a growing campaign designed to link money, mental health, and suicide prevention - especially in high-risk industries like construction.Whether you're a construction site manager, part of a leadership team, or simply someone looking to understand the connection between money and mental health, this episode is full of practical insight, personal stories, and real solutions.Listen/Watch now to hear:Why money problems aren't just personal - they’re a workplace issueWhat FinWELL and R;pple Suicide Prevention are doing to make changeThe steps that clients and contractors alike can take to create financially healthy workplaces🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Andrew Russell-Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-russell-day-32a54834/ Ryan Briggs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandbriggs/ FinWELL: https://www.finwell.training/ R;pple Suicide Prevention: https://www.ripplesuicideprevention.com/ Mental Health First Aid: https://mhfaengland.org/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference. 👉  Check Your Score Now

🚧 500 Miles for 500 Lives: Chris Rodgers on Running for Mental Health in ConstructionIn this powerful episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong speaks with Chris Rodgers, a construction professional on an extraordinary mission—running 500 miles in full PPE to raise awareness of mental health in the industry.After seeing the shocking statistic that 507 construction workers took their own lives in 2021, Chris knew something had to change. His challenge, 500 Miles for 500 Lives, is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a call to action for the entire industry to step up and break the stigma around mental health.💬 In this episode, we discuss:✅ The reality of mental health challenges in construction✅ Why Chris is pushing his physical and mental limits in PPE✅ The biggest barriers preventing change in the industry✅ How companies can take real action to support workers✅ The incredible impact Mates in Mind is having on constructionChris’s journey is an inspiring reminder that we can all do more to look out for our colleagues and create a healthier, happier construction industry.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ 🔗 Follow Chris & support his challenge:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/500miles500lives/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@500miles500lives JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/page/500miles500lives GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

The construction industry is known for its long hours, tough conditions, and high-pressure environments. But what impact does this have on the mental health of workers? In this episode of Build & Thrive, we sit down with Matt Jenkins, a construction supervisor and trustee of Lads Minds, a charity dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health in construction.Matt shares his personal journey, the challenges of working in construction, and how he’s made changes in his own life to improve his health and wellbeing. From long hours and job insecurity to the toxic workplace culture that still exists in some areas, we discuss the hidden pressures construction workers face - and what can be done to support them.In this episode, we cover:✅ The biggest mental health challenges faced by construction workers✅ Why toxic workplace cultures and long hours are harming the industry✅ How organisations can go beyond lip service to provide real support✅ The story behind Lads Minds and their work breaking the stigma on-site✅ Matt’s personal health transformation - and his advice for small, impactful changesMatt’s honesty and passion for creating change in the industry is truly inspiring. If you work in construction or care about making the industry a healthier, happier place… this episode is a must-listen.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Matt Jenkins Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-jenkins-97296411b/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Lads Minds: https://ladsminds.com/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

What role does nutrition play in the health, safety, and performance of construction workers? In this episode of Build & Thrive, Kate Cook, a leading nutritionist and Health & Wellbeing Ambassador for the Considerate Constructors Scheme, joins us to uncover the hidden link between food, wellbeing, and workplace performance in construction.With years of experience working with major construction companies, Kate shares insights from her research into the lifestyle and dietary habits of construction workers and explains why proper nutrition should be a key part of any wellbeing strategy.In this episode, we discuss:✅ How poor nutrition impacts safety, concentration, and mental health on-site✅ The myths vs. reality of the "typical construction worker's diet"✅ The impact of energy drinks, high sugar intake, and meal timing✅ Why breaks and access to healthy food options are essential for wellbeing✅ What construction companies can do to promote better nutrition in the workplaceKate also shares practical tips for making better food choices, insights from her work with leading construction firms, and the important role of leadership in driving a culture of health and wellbeing.If you're in construction, health & safety, HR, or leadership, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Listen now and take the first step towards a healthier, happier workforce!And finally, a huge thank you to GKR Scaffolding for sponsoring the first series of the Build & Thrive podcast, we highly appreciate your support!Episode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Kate Cook Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nutritioncoach/ Kate Cook Website: https://katecook.biz/ Considerate Constructors Scheme: https://www.considerateconstructors.com/ GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score Now

In our debut episode of Build & Thrive, we sit down with Lee Rowswell, Group Director at GKR Scaffolding and a passionate advocate for health and wellbeing in construction. Lee shares his inspiring 35-year journey from starting on the tools to leading a £40 million business. We explore his personal experiences, including the life-changing moment that shaped his unwavering commitment to safety, and discuss the challenges facing the industry - manual handling, dust, noise, and mental health.This episode is packed with insights into how GKR Scaffolding has embraced innovation, from wearable technology to mental health initiatives, to create a healthier, safer workplace. If you're passionate about transforming construction or curious about the future of health and wellbeing in the sector, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Also, a huge thank you to Lee & GKR who have kindly sponsored the first season of Build & Thrive, we’re hugely grateful for your support. If you want to learn more about the wearables to improve manual handling in construction contact [email protected] you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.👉  Check Your Score NowEpisode Links:Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Lee Rowswell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-rowswell/ GKR Scaffolding: https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/ Lighthouse Charity: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/

Welcome to Build & Thrive, the podcast dedicated to transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong - nurse, trained occupational hygienist, and founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing - this podcast is your go-to resource for insights and inspiration to create a healthier, happier construction workforce.In each episode, Jennie interviews inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents?It’s clear we need to do more. Build & Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction.Join us every fortnight for new episodes filled with real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.The first episode drops soon with the fantastic Nick O'Shea from 'Get Sober With Nick' - don’t miss it! Share the podcast with a friend or colleague to help spread the message and drive change across our industry.