The sports and leisure industries within the UK are booming. More people than ever before are choosing to focus on their health and fitness, thanks in part to inspiring role models within the sector. Boxing and fitness classes are becoming particularly popular, yet space for these types of facilities is
It is one of the great hidden secrets of the construction sector, an issue that many people in what is still a male-dominated industry are reluctant to acknowledge, let alone talk about and act upon. But mental health problems are not unusual across the wider spectrum of society and it is only to be
A new tailored health and wellbeing programme will be incorporated by Caddick Construction, benefiting a total of 140 employees. The firm agreed a partnership with health and wellness provider – hero, which will deliver the programme. “Our employees are our greatest asset and we want to ensure they feel valued
GRAHAM is celebrating the huge success of being named on all three lots of the North West Construction Hub’s (NWCH) new High Value Framework. Aiming to improve efficiencies, the framework will see contractors deliver construction projects in markets including education, health, retail and leisure. “We have strategically developed the GRAHAM business
The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has fully approved plans for a number of new health facilities, worth some £50 million. The business cases approved include £11 million for Stobhill Mental Health Wards and £19 million for Clydebank Health and Care Centre. The next and final stage of
The research from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is unusual in that it makes direct reference to the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on human health and premature death rates. The vast majority of air pollution studies only take outdoor
The Department of Health has published a contract notice for a £4bn construction framework to succeed its ProCure21+ programme. The ProCure 22 national framework for design and construction in England is expected to be the procurement route of choice for contracting authorities in England in the health and social care
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The sports and leisure industries within the UK are booming. More people than ever before are choosing to focus on their health and fitness, thanks in part to inspiring role models within the sector. Boxing and fitness classes are becoming particularly popular, yet space for these types of facilities is now limited. Consequently, the construction industry is seeing a demand for leisure centres and sports clubs. Here, we’ll look at the rise in the demand for sports clubs and leisure centres and how it benefits other businesses. Sports clubs continue to grow Last year, the Sports Club Survey Report discovered that sports clubs in England were continuing to grow despite numerous challenges. Over half of clubs that responded to the survey, claimed they expected their adult memberships to continue to increase. There was also an interesting rise in the number of volunteers working within sports centres, showing the love of sports isn’t just tied to money. The challenges of building sports and leisure centres Although the rise in the demand for sports and leisure centres is increasing, there are challenges construction workers face when building these types of buildings. A lot of the new sports clubs require a unique, modern construction, rather than a standard generic layout. They are more specialised buildings, ranging greatly in size from single gymnasiums to large stadiums. Even the refurbishment of older facilities can be a complex construction process. Just some of the issues involved in the building of sports clubs and leisure centres include high up-front costs and long project completion. How the increase in demand benefits other sectors There may be challenges within the construction of additional sports clubs and leisure centres. However, the rise in demand is having benefits on other sectors. Companies which supply fitness equipment are seeing an increase in business, as are those which supply facilities for the buildings such as JLA. An additional benefit is that these new clubs and leisure centres require new staff to keep them running. So, personal trainers are seeing an increase in demand too. However, the wider benefits are even more remarkable. As there is an increase in demand for sports and leisure facilities, it means a lot of people are focused on getting fitter. This is obviously a great benefit for society as a whole. It also means less pressure will be placed onto the NHS eventually as obesity levels drop. Obviously, this isn’t a benefit that’s going to happen overnight, but it is a promising sign that people are getting fitter and healthier. Overall, sports clubs and leisure centres are becoming more popular in the UK. While there may be challenges building and running new facilities, this increase in demand is delivering a lot of benefits to associated sectors too.
It is one of the great hidden secrets of the construction sector, an issue that many people in what is still a male-dominated industry are reluctant to acknowledge, let alone talk about and act upon. But mental health problems are not unusual across the wider spectrum of society and it is only to be expected that these issues will be present in what is an increasingly complex, and therefore stressful, working environment. In the electrical sector alone, a profession which becomes more technologically challenging with each passing year, the ElectricalIndustries Charity estimates that more than a quarter of a million people are suffering from mental health concerns. But, alarmingly, it also calculates that 95% of them often lie about how they are feeling, or don’t tell anyone that they are struggling. So, issues which can adversely affect both work and home life remain buried under a blanket of silence. This does not surprise me. In my time in the industry, I have come to understand that the often-robust atmosphere of the workplace does not encourage confessional communication and that men – however sweeping this may sound – remain unconvinced about the virtue of talking about their personal problems. This is also one of the reasons why socially responsible companies like ours are putting in place training, procedures and processes which will help identify individuals who are trying to cope with the burden of sensitive emotional issues and reach out a helping hand. In association with the Scottish Association for Mental Health, we have instituted awareness raising programmes for senior management and senior site personnel to help them identify potential problems among the electricians, plumbers and joiners within our 65-strong workforce. The training does not by any stretch of the imagination make us experts, but it does help make participants sensitive to the need to reduce stigma surrounding the subject and to deal with any potential for discrimination. Stress is not the only signifier. Properly trained, team leaders can be on the lookout for other symptoms of anxiety, depression, alcohol problems and even deep-seated clinical issues such as bi-polar behaviour. Identification and monitoring are only the first steps. The ability to recognise problems allows them to be referred to the correct authorities such as GP support, NHS facilities, telephone counselling and helplines. But we also have to be aware that, since sufferers may be shy or wary about opening up about mental health concerns, it is also a difficult conversation for the responsible person in the office or on the site to initiate. That is why it is important to offer training primarily to people within the organisation who already have a strong rapport with the workforce under their care and who are confident enough in themselves to be able to broach what may at first seem to be unpalatable subjects. Raising the issue must not be seen as any kind of insinuation and it will require a significant degree of sensitivity from an empathetic and communicative listener to elicit a positive response from the person being approached. It is also important to emphasise across the company that an open-door policy means what it says and that employees should have no concerns about bringing personal issues to their line manager, senior management or even directors. Toolbox Talks are a valuable vehicle for raising a particular subject directly with the workforce. These short presentations focus on single aspects of workplace health and safety, such as working at height, and there is no reason why mental health should not be an ideal candidate for discussion. At M-Pact, we intend to continue to develop awareness raising through HR committee meetings, in-house training and perhaps, further down the line, more in-depth courses such as the EIC’s Mental Health First Aider Training. It may seem to be something of a belt and braces approach in a company which already takes great pride in the work it does with its employees to ensure their physical and mental wellbeing. But the EIC figures show that in 2018 alone, more than 400 people in the electrical sector attempted to commit suicide. Some of them succeeded. Preventing even one such situation makes any amount of effort on our part worthwhile. Martin Robertson is Health and Safety Manager at M-Pact Group.
A new tailored health and wellbeing programme will be incorporated by Caddick Construction, benefiting a total of 140 employees. The firm agreed a partnership with health and wellness provider – hero, which will deliver the programme. “Our employees are our greatest asset and we want to ensure they feel valued and supported. We are thrilled to be leading the way when it comes to mental resilience and wellbeing in the workplace – issues which should not and cannot be ignored. As employers we take our responsibility to our team members seriously and want to support them in as many ways possible to ensure they are both healthy and happy inside and outside of work,” said Caddick Construction Managing Director Andrew Murray. “The hero team impressed us with the depth and level of support they provide behind the scenes. I’m confident this project will deliver tangible results for our staff that will enhance and improve the health and wellbeing our employees, whether office based or on site,” Andrew added. The programme will cover both mental and physical health and includes one-to-one health checks and screenings, wellbeing training for all direct line managers, mental health first aid training and ongoing workshops throughout 2019. This comes as current statistics show one in six construction workers in the UK is experiencing depression, anxiety or stress. “It’s always rewarding to see businesses waking up to the fact they play a large and important part in the health and wellbeing of their team. It’s great to see Caddick Construction leading the way and championing wellness at work in such a bold and committed manner. The ‘Mindset’ programme of events have been purposely designed to offer comprehensive screenings and health checks that cover everything from blood pressure to cholesterol and blood tests too,” commented Joe Gaunt, CEO of hero. “We have been working with Caddick to understand the current ‘state of the workforce’ enabling us to create a bespoke programme, which will deliver results and have immediate and long-term effects. The hero Discovery Report demonstrated clear indicators of specific support around what the Caddick team wanted to see. And, as a result, we were able to design a bespoke and tailored programme perfect for Caddick employees,” Joe concluded.
GRAHAM is celebrating the huge success of being named on all three lots of the North West Construction Hub’s (NWCH) new High Value Framework. Aiming to improve efficiencies, the framework will see contractors deliver construction projects in markets including education, health, retail and leisure. “We have strategically developed the GRAHAM business in the North West of England, beginning with the opening of our Manchester office in Salford (2012) and more recently our Liverpool office (2018), and this award underlines our now established reputation in the region. It is a tremendous result and presents us with unique opportunities to deliver lasting impact right across the North West. As a business, we are focused on partnering with clients and procurement bodies who share our vision and values. Collaboration is central to NWCH and that fits perfectly into the GRAHAM approach whereby true collaboration is at the forefront of every relationship. Working in partnership allows us to engage locally, provide greater efficiency and generate better value for money and social value outcomes for our clients and partners. We look forward to undertaking our first projects with NWCH in 2019,” commented the firm’s Strategic Alliances and Frameworks Director, Patrick McDonald. Available to public sector bodies in the North West of England, the framework icovers Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria. The lots range in value from £8 million – £15 million (Lot 1), £15 million – £35 million (Lot 2) and £35 million+ (Lot 3). “It is very exciting to see some new names join our existing partners and there are already some interesting projects lined up with clients who have been eagerly awaiting this announcement,” added NWCH Framework Lead, Joanna Chomeniuk. GRAHAM will deliver ‘Design & Build’ or ‘Construct Only’ projects within each lot over a four-year term.
The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has fully approved plans for a number of new health facilities, worth some £50 million. The business cases approved include £11 million for Stobhill Mental Health Wards and £19 million for Clydebank Health and Care Centre. The next and final stage of the process of developing each facility involves the submission of a full business case to the Scottish Government Capital Investment Group for consideration in November. “I am delighted the full business case has been approved. This is another major milestone for plans to build modern, state-of-the-art facilities for our Mental Health in-patients at Stobhill,” said David Williams, chief officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), about the Stobhill development. “The HSCP’s commitment to providing high standards of effective care in appropriate settings is clearly demonstrated by NHSGGC’s decision today. This will see our patients staying in modern wards that are at the very forefront of modern Mental Health in-patient accommodation,” added David. Speaking about the Clydebank Health and Care Centre, Beth Culshaw, chief officer, West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), said: “I am delighted that the full business case has been approved. This is another major milestone for plans to rebuild a modern, state-of-the-art health and care centre for the people of Clydebank. The HSCP’s commitment to tackling health inequalities in areas of high deprivation and promoting social regeneration is clearly demonstrated by NHSGGC’s decision today.” “The national transformation of primary care means that this project is not about a simple replacement of an existing facility. It is about taking the opportunity to create a centre where the people of Clydebank can expect to be supported by a wide range of professionals, closer to their home, and enabled to live healthier, more independent lives,” Beth concluded.
The research from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is unusual in that it makes direct reference to the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on human health and premature death rates. The vast majority of air pollution studies only take outdoor contaminants into account. Both colleges called for more specific research to be carried out to deepen understanding of the key risk factors associated with poor IAQ and its causes, but pointed out that it was already apparent that increased levels of airtightness were adding to a growing problem. Indoor and outdoor air pollution causes at least 40,000 deaths a year in the UK and costs the economy £20bn, according to the new report, which also cites growing evidence of harm to children’s health and intelligence. It points to emissions from faulty boilers, gas cookers and heaters, as well as irritant chemicals from new furniture, air fresheners and household cleaning products as contributing to rising health problems inside well sealed buildings. House-dust mites, mould and dander from pets can also damage health, the report said. Harm The report found unborn and young children were particularly susceptible to air pollution. “The developing heart, lung, brain, hormone systems and immunity can all be harmed by pollution,” the report said. “Research is beginning to point towards effects on growth, intelligence, asthma, and development of the brain and coordination. Harm to babies and children will have an impact that lasts far into the future.” Dr Andrew Goddard, at the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Taking action to tackle air pollution in the UK will reduce the pain and suffering for many people with long term chronic health conditions, not to mention lessening the long term demands on our NHS.” The new report found that, although the government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) set “acceptable” limits for air pollution, there is in fact no level of exposure that can be seen to be safe, with any exposure carrying a risk. Read more at http://specificationonline.co.uk/articles/2016-12-13/medics-link-deaths-to-indoor-air-quality
The Department of Health has published a contract notice for a £4bn construction framework to succeed its ProCure21+ programme. The ProCure 22 national framework for design and construction in England is expected to be the procurement route of choice for contracting authorities in England in the health and social care sectors. Under Procure21 and ProCure21+ the award of design and construction schemes were valued in the region of £650m to £750m a year. The ProCure22 framework is planned to start on 3rd October 2016 and run for four years. Over the full term, the total value of work likely to be procured through the framework is estimated to be £4bn. For the purposes of this procurement, the Department of Health has adopted the Constructionline certification service to reduce the administrative burden on suppliers wishing to apply, but companies not registered with Constructionline can still apply. The invitations to tender will be sent out at the end of April. The procurement documents are available free of charge at: www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/search
