Building Heroes

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Building Heroes

A military charity providing training leading to a gateway of construction employment opportunities

Building Heroes provides free skills training to Military Veterans and support into employment in the building trades. Our aim is to tackle unemployment amongst those who have kept us safe by offering them a seamless transition to a new career in construction.

“Building Heroes is an inspirational charity. This second lease of life is exactly what our service people need, and provides a role, an income to support their family, and also dignity.”- James Haskell, International Athlete, England Rugby Player, Captain of Wasps Rugby team.

07/10/2026

🎓 Could your next career start with Building Heroes?

We have spaces available on some of our upcoming courses, allowing members of the Armed Forces community to gain practical skills, recognised qualifications and support towards a new career in construction and the built environment: https://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/courses

But don’t just take our word for it! Our graduates regularly tell us about the confidence, skills and direction their Building Heroes course has given them 👇🏼

Whether you’re a service leaver, veteran, reservist or military family member, our courses are designed to help you take that next step and turn your experience into new opportunities beyond service.
🔨 Gain practical, industry-relevant skills.
🎓 Work towards recognised qualifications.
🤝 Access ongoing employment and career support.
💷 Training is fully funded for eligible learners.

Spaces are available now, so if you’ve been thinking about making a change, this could be your opportunity: https://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/courses

05/10/2026

🏆 With the annual Gala Dinner fast approaching, here's a reminder of this year's finalists in the awards 🎉

Congratulations to the individuals and companies below! We look forward to announcing the winners this Thursday 🙌🏻

Industry Inspiration Award
- Davidsons Homes
- Sunbelt Rentals
- M Group Highways

Industry Advocate of the Year
- Ghislaine Halpenny, Arada London
- Mark Beaver, Davidsons Homes
- Alan Gibson, Darlington College
- John Leary, Lovell Homes

Armed Forces Network/Allies of the Year
- Rose Builders
- Forces Transition Group Ltd
- Morgan Sindall Group
- Vistry Group
- Fast Fix Joinery

Strategic Partnership Award
- Lovell Homes & Morgan Sindall Construction
- Darlington College
- West Suffolk College, part of Eastern Education Group Community
- City College Plymouth
- Vistry Group

Veteran Community Champion Award
- Andy Howe, Career Forces
- Denis and Barbara Scaife
- Paul Brenton, Forces Transition Group Ltd
- Dave Churchward, Little Acorns Forest Schools
- Heidi Lowe, Vision West Notts

Chairman’s Award!
This award will recognise an exceptional contribution selected from across this year’s award categories, and the winner will be revealed at our Gala Dinner 👏🏻

01/10/2026

⏳ ONE WEEK TO GO! ✨

This time next week, we’ll be welcoming guests to Drapers’ Hall, London, for the Building Heroes Fundraising Gala Dinner & Awards 2026.

It’s set to be a brilliant evening of celebration, entertainment and fundraising, bringing together our supporters, partners, employers and friends to recognise the achievements of the Armed Forces community and the people helping create brighter futures beyond service.

Guests can look forward to:
🎺 A Royal Marines brass quartet
🪄 Fantastic entertainment and a game of Heads or Tails
🔨 A live auction
🏆 Our awards presentation, hosted by Dame Susan Snowdon DCVO
🎟️ A raffle, proudly sponsored by Grayson (GB) Ltd

We’ll also share inspiring graduate stories and celebrate the impact made possible by the incredible Building Heroes community.

📅 Thursday 8 October 2026
📍 Drapers’ Hall, London

Thank you to our sponsors, Lovell Homes, Morgan Sindall Construction, Vistry Group and Wickes TradePro, and to everyone supporting this year’s event.

Just seven days to go! We can’t wait to see you there! There’s still time to secure your place: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/buildingheroes/2129575

28/09/2026

🤝 Could your organisation become a Friend of Building Heroes?

This newly launched initiative gives organisations across the UK a simple and meaningful way to stand alongside the Armed Forces community and help create brighter futures beyond service.

Each annual Friendship provides support equivalent to what two Building Heroes learners receive, helping Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists and Military Family Members access practical training, career guidance and ongoing employment support.

Designed for SMEs, housing providers, contractors, consultants, local authorities and other socially minded organisations, becoming a Friend is an opportunity to turn your organisation’s support for the Armed Forces community into tangible action, without entering into a wider corporate sponsorship arrangement.

We’re already proud to have CareerForces and Bernicia Group as our founding Friends, and now we’re looking for more organisations to join them. Could yours be next?

Find out more: https://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/our-partners or get in touch with Nicola Schneider at [email protected] or call 0330 912 6200.

25/09/2026

🔧 Ready to build a career in Welding and Engineering?

This November, we’re launching a brand-new 5-week Welding and Engineering training programme at our Darlington College Skills Academy.

Designed for service leavers, veterans, reservists and military family members, the course is designed to give learners practical, hands-on experience while working towards recognised qualifications.

During the programme, learners will develop skills across:

✅ Welding and cutting processes
✅ Flat, horizontal and vertical welding
✅ Beads on plate, fillet welds and corner welds
✅ Pipe-to-plate joints, brazing and soldering
✅ Thermal and plasma cutting
✅ Health and safety in welding

No previous experience is needed. All you need is the motivation to learn, develop new skills and take the next step towards a career in welding and engineering.

📍 Darlington Skills Academy
📅 Starting this November

Register your interest today: https://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/courses

24/09/2026

👏🏻 Just TWO weeks to go! 🙌🏻

The countdown is on for the Building Heroes Fundraising Gala Dinner & Awards 2026.

On Thursday 8 October, we’ll be bringing together our incredible community of supporters, partners, employers and friends at Drapers’ Hall, London, for an unforgettable evening celebrating the Armed Forces community and the opportunities being created beyond service.

Guests can look forward to an evening packed with entertainment, celebration and fundraising, including:

🎺 A Royal Marines brass quartet
🪄 Brilliant entertainment
🙌 A fun game of Heads or Tails
🔨 A live auction
🏆 Our awards presentation, hosted by Dame Susan Snowdon DCVO
🎟️ Plus our raffle, proudly sponsored by Grayson GB Ltd

Most importantly, we’ll share inspiring stories from Building Heroes Graduates and celebrate the individuals and organisations helping service leavers, veterans, reservists and military family members build rewarding new futures.

A huge thank you to our event sponsors:
- Lovell Homes
- Morgan Sindall Construction
- Vistry
- Wickes TradePro
Together, you make this special evening possible.

✨ Two weeks to go. We can’t wait to welcome you! There’s still time to secure your place: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/buildingheroes/2129575

23/09/2026

A huge thank you to our Silver Corporate Sponsoring Partner, Marshalls plc, who continue to work hard behind the scenes to support Building Heroes in so many meaningful ways.

From local fundraising initiatives to payroll giving opportunities, we are incredibly proud and grateful to have their ongoing support.

Most recently, Marshalls raised and donated an incredible £4,500 by reselling older video equipment that was no longer being used. This generous donation will directly help three veterans access our training programmes. It will also support the pastoral and employability support that helps them move confidently towards rewarding civilian careers.

It is a fantastic example of social value in action: giving equipment a new lease of life while generating vital funds to help members of the Armed Forces community build brighter futures. A genuine double win for sustainability and social impact!

We are delighted that Marshalls will be joining us at the upcoming Building Heroes Gala Dinner & Awards, where we look forward to bringing together so many members of our growing community of industry supporters.

Final bookings are now being taken. Secure your place here:
https://buytickets.at/buildingheroes/2129575

18/09/2026

⏳ Three weeks to go… and what an evening we have lined up! ✨

The Building Heroes Fundraising Gala Dinner & Awards 2026 is bringing our supporters, partners and friends together to celebrate the Armed Forces community in spectacular surroundings.

📅 Thursday 8 October 2026
📍 Drapers’ Hall, London

Look forward to:
🎺 A Royal Marines brass quartet
🪄 Magical entertainment
🙌 Our ever-popular Heads or Tails — the perfect icebreaker!
🔨 A live auction with fantastic prizes
🏆 Our awards presentation, hosted by Dame Susan Snowdon DCVO

Add inspiring Graduate stories, great company and a shared commitment to helping our Armed Forces community build brighter futures, and it’s an evening you won’t want to miss.

✨ Join us for a night of celebration with a purpose.

A huge thank you to our sponsors, Lovell Homes, Morgan Sindall Construction, Vistry and Wickes TradePro, for helping make this event possible.

We’re also delighted to welcome Grayson GB Ltd as our raffle sponsor! 🎟️

There’s still time to join us! Secure your place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/buildingheroes/2129575

16/09/2026

📅 Are you planning your next move after the Armed Forces?

We will be at the British Forces Resettlement Services Tidworth National Careers Fair on Thursday 17 September, and we’d love to meet you! 👋🏻

Taking place from 09:30 - 13:30, the event brings together Forces-friendly organisations to help members of the Armed Forces Community explore the opportunities available as they embark on their resettlement journey.

Come and find the Building Heroes team to discover how our fully funded training programmes can help you develop new skills, gain industry-recognised qualifications and take your next step towards a rewarding civilian career 👏🏻

Whether you’re approaching transition, already resettling or simply starting to explore what could come next, come along and have a chat with us.

Find out more and register to attend: https://bfrss.org.uk/events/1547428/

15/09/2026

👏🏻 A huge thank you to our Great North Run team for their determination, fundraising efforts and commitment to supporting Building Heroes and Military vs Cancer 🙌🏻

While injury and illness meant things didn’t go to plan for everyone, there is so much to be proud of. From Lee Gray and Dominic Gardener at Velocity, to Paul Chester, Brenden Austin, Jed Reece and Jordan Gott from Davidsons Homes, and Chris Wells from Darlington College, we are grateful to you all and everyone who supported them.

So far, our runners have raised an incredible £4900! 👏🏻 Please join us in giving the whole team one final, well-deserved round of applause.

If you want to help give them one final push, you can donate below:
- Chris Wells: https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/chris-wells-cb422
- Paul Chester: https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/paul-chester
- Brenden Austin: https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/brenden-austin
- Jed Reece: https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/jed-reece
- Lee Gray & Dominic Gardener: https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/dominic-gardener

Address

Southpoint, Old Brighton Road, Lowfield Heath, West
Crawley
RH110PR

Telephone

+443309126200

Website

http://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/

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