Protecting our mental health

At Cala Homes, we understand that the mental health of our teams is as important as their physical health. Recent statistics by the Chartered Institute of Building revealed that 26% of construction industry professionals thought about taking their own lives in 2019 and 97% recorded being stressed at least once in the last year. 

This year, we’re delighted to begin a new partnership with the Samaritans. The programme of activity will support the charity’s fantastic work and as well as promoting positive mental health and wellbeing throughout our business.

At Cala South Home Counties, we have a renewed focus, particularly since the coronavirus lockdown, to ensure all of our employees on building sites, in our offices and those working from home feel as though they can open up to colleagues about their mental wellbeing. 

We have partnered with mental health training provider Luminate and enrolled four of our employees within the South Home Counties region to undertake an accredited training programme in Mental Health First Aid – Nick Brown, Jamie Chalmers, Vince Strong and Nicola Hunter. 

Jamie Chalmers, Land Manager at Cala Homes South Home Counties, said: “I am delighted to have secured a place on the Mental Health First Aid training course. I think it’s brilliant that Cala recognises the importance of mental health within the business, and even more so that they are taking steps to ensure their staff are more informed and able to offer support to colleagues, friends and family.  

“This training comes at a very important time for many, with the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown having a big impact on people’s lives and concerns about loneliness, financial worries and the general stress and uncertainties that the pandemic brings. I think this training is a really positive step in supporting colleagues and I look forward to gaining a greater understanding of how I can improve my own mental wellbeing as well as helping others to do the same.”