Band of Builders

04/11/2026

Stress Awareness Week: Don’t keep it all to yourself.
A problem shared might not disappear, but talking can make it feel a lot less heavy.

Whether it’s pressure at work, money worries, family life or simply feeling overwhelmed, speaking to someone you trust can help you work through what’s going on.

Check in with your mates too. A simple “How are you doing?” can open the door to a conversation someone might really need.

You don’t have to wait until things reach breaking point before asking for support.

Find out more about the wellbeing support available through Band of Builders: https://www.bandofbuilders.org/wellbeing-support/

Explore wellbeing support from Band of Builders, helping construction workers find practical information and support when they need it.

03/11/2026

Stress Awareness Week: Take five
When the day feels non-stop, even a few minutes away from the pressure can make a difference.

Try taking five:
☕ Step away from the job for a proper break
🚶 Get outside for a short walk
📵 Put your phone down for a few minutes
💭 Focus on one thing at a time rather than everything at once
🌬️ Slow down and give yourself a moment to reset

You don’t always need a big solution. Sometimes a small pause can help make a busy day feel more manageable.

For more wellbeing support and resources, visit: https://www.bandofbuilders.org/wellbeing-support/

03/11/2026

Introducing the Band of Builders Bursary 🛠️

At this year’s Band of Builders Ball, we officially launched the BoB Bursary, created to support the next generation of people starting their careers in construction.

For some young people, the cost of tools, PPE, workwear and other essential equipment can become a real barrier to completing their training and getting started in the industry. The BoB Bursary is there to help remove some of those barriers and give people the practical support they need to keep moving forward.

Supported by our national partner Häfele UK Ltd, the bursary is available to young people starting out in construction, including those on apprenticeships or training programmes and those studying construction-related courses at college or another recognised training provider.

Support can include:
🔨 Tools
🥽 PPE
👷 Workwear
🎒 Bags, storage and essential equipment
🧡 Access to wellbeing support

Need a little help getting started? Applications are open throughout the year.
Simply complete the online form, tell us about your training and the support you need, and our team will review your application individually.

👉 Find out more and apply:
https://www.bandofbuilders.org/the-bob-bursary/

02/11/2026

71% more applications for wellbeing support. That's the increase we've seen so far this year compared with 2025, and there are still 2 months to go.

As Stress Awareness Week begins, it's a particularly important reminder of the pressures people across our construction industry are facing.

More people are reaching out because they're struggling with their mental health, experiencing difficult circumstances or simply need someone to help them through a challenging period.

For some, financial hardship is only part of the picture. Mental health concerns, unemployment, illness, housing instability and relationship difficulties can all contribute to the pressures someone is facing.

And in some of the most serious cases, applicants have reported experiencing thoughts of su***de or self-harm.

Reaching out for help is an important step. Being able to provide that support when someone needs it is just as important.

£250 could fund six professional counselling sessions for one person.

If just 10 businesses contributed £250 each, together they could fund 60 counselling sessions for people who need support.

That's 10 businesses, each making a manageable contribution, helping to make professional support more accessible to people in our industry.

Could your business contribute £250? With demand for wellbeing support rising, every contribution helps us continue being there when people need us.

Donate today: https://bandofbuilders.beaconforms.com/form/91e63af1

02/11/2026

This Stress Awareness Week, we’ll be sharing a few simple hints and reminders to help manage stress at work and in everyday life.

Stress can build gradually, and sometimes we don’t realise how much we’re carrying until it starts affecting how we feel, think or behave.

You might notice:
🔸 Feeling more irritable or overwhelmed
🔸 Struggling to switch off
🔸 Difficulty concentrating
🔸 Changes to your sleep
🔸 Feeling constantly tired or tense

Simply recognising the signs can be the first step towards doing something about them.

This week, take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you really doing?

If things are feeling difficult, Band of Builders wellbeing support is here to help.

🔗 https://www.bandofbuilders.org/wellbeing-support/

31/10/2026

☕ The Big Brew is heading to London!

Next week, we're bringing the Big Brew Tour to two locations across London on Wednesday 4th November, bringing people from the construction community together for a brew and a chat.

Whether you're working nearby, passing through or just fancy a cuppa, we'd love to see you!

📍 Swipe through to see where we'll be and what time, or visit our website to find a Big Brew near you: www.bandofbuilders.org/the-big-brew/

Everyone's welcome! 🧡

30/10/2026

Fundraise your way for Band of Builders!
There’s no one way to make a difference. 💪

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a mix of fundraising ideas and some of the brilliant people already raising money for us to inspire your next fundraiser.

Whether you want to challenge yourself, bring people together or simply have some fun while raising vital funds, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

First up: take on a challenge!
🥾 Walk or hike
🪂 Take the leap with a skydive
🏊 Set yourself a swimming challenge
🏃 Sign up for a running event
🚴 Get on your bike

Big or small, every challenge helps us continue providing practical, financial and wellbeing support to people across the construction industry and their families.

Already got an idea? We’d love to hear about it!

👉 Find out more and get started: https://www.bandofbuilders.org/fundraising/

And keep an eye on our socials - next week we’ll be shining a spotlight on one of our fundraising heroes. 👀

29/10/2026

Introducing the ‘BoB Bulletin’ 📰
A glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes at Band of Builders.

You’ll often see our projects, wellbeing services, fundraising and the incredible people our community supports across our social channels.

But there’s a huge amount happening behind the scenes too.

From meetings and events to partnerships, industry conversations and raising awareness of the support available, our team is out across construction every week making connections and helping ensure Band of Builders reaches the people who may need us.

So, we’re introducing the 'BoB Bulletin', a regular glimpse at some of the places we’ve been, conversations we’ve been part of and work taking place across the charity that you might not always see.

For our first edition, we’re taking a look at a busy couple of weeks for our CEO, Gavin.

Last week saw Gavin out across the industry representing Band of Builders, from joining the Construction Inclusion Coalition and meeting with Tippers to discuss Every Merchant Matters, to taking part in Jewson roadshows across the South East, Central and Wales. He also attended the APPG for Tradespeople alongside Checkatrade and Amanda Martin MP, caught up with industry colleagues at the Builders Merchants Federation Marketing Forum, and joined Fix Radio’s Tool Theft Conference to support conversations around an issue that has a real impact on tradespeople and their livelihoods.

It was a busy week, but an important one.

Why does any of this matter?
Because every part of Band of Builders’ work is connected. Our practical projects, wellbeing support, financial help, fundraising, partnerships and industry engagement all play a role in helping us support people across construction when they need us most.

By building relationships, raising awareness and being part of important industry conversations, we can reach more people, strengthen the support available and make sure those working across construction know that Band of Builders is there for them.

The further our message travels, the more people we can reach, and the greater the difference we can make together.

Keep an eye out for the next BoB Bulletin to see what’s been happening across Band of Builders.

27/10/2026

This is why we do what we do.

At this year’s Band of Builders Ball, we revisited Toby’s Project through a powerful interview with his family, reflecting on the difference the support of our construction community has made to their lives.

Because the impact of a Band of Builders project doesn’t end when the tools are packed away.

It can mean greater independence, a home that works for the whole family, and the reassurance of knowing that, when life becomes incredibly difficult, there are people willing to turn up and help.

Toby’s story is just one of many, but it’s a powerful reminder of why Band of Builders exists and the lasting difference your support can make.

🎥 Watch Toby’s story and find out more about the project: bandofbuilders.org

23/10/2026

Introducing Fundraising Friday!

Each Friday, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the many ways you can fundraise for Band of Builders – from ideas to get you started, to the brilliant fundraising heroes already taking on challenges to support our construction community.

And we’re kicking things off with a pretty incredible opportunity… 👀

🏃‍♀️ Could you take on the London Marathon for Team BoB in 2027? 🏃‍♂️

We already have 12 incredible people preparing to take on this iconic challenge next year, and we now have the opportunity for TWO more people to join them on Saturday 24 April 2027.

That means two more runners have the chance to take on 26.2 miles through the streets of London while raising vital funds to help Band of Builders provide practical, financial and wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.

But this one comes with an extra challenge… 💪

⏱️ The Finish Line closes at 5:30pm, giving you a maximum of 7 hours and 45 minutes to complete the course.

So if you take one of these places, you’ll need to train hard, fundraise hard and hit it with everything you’ve got!

Think you’re up for it?

Email [email protected] to register your interest. We’d love to hear your story, why taking on the London Marathon for Band of Builders would be important to you, and how much you think you could raise.

There are only TWO places available, so don’t hang around.

Could you run for team BoB, raise vital funds, and help us change lives?