New Consruction Industry 24/7 Health & Safety Helpline

Lighthouse Charity enhances support for workers and families

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has been providing emergency financial assistance to the construction community since 1956. LCIC is dedicated to helping construction people and their dependents in times of need and exists to:

• Provide emergency financial assistance, welfare and well-being advice and emotional and legal support;
• Promote initiatives aimed at avoiding accidents and improving safety on construction sites; and
• Deliver local and national events that embrace networking, fundraising and fun within the industry.

Shining brighter…. and reaching further

The construction industry is one of the largest employers in the UK providing many different forms of employment. The risks and hazards within the industry can be significant and the challenges this creates for the health, safety and welfare of workers and their families are many and varied.

Many larger employers manage the risks through Employee Assistance Schemes which offer help and advice on a portfolio of health and welfare matters outside the scope of the normal HR department. However, the fragmented nature of the industry means than many do not have access to this helpful and critical information.

LCIC is now launching a new Construction Industry Helpline to “offer an essential portfolio of welfare and support services to everyone within the Construction Community”.

This confidential 24×7 helpline service is now open for calls on 0845 605 1956. The service will not only be the conduit to access the charity’s traditional emergency financial assistance it will also deliver:

• Advice on occupational health and well-being;
• Support and advice for sufferers of stress and addictions;
• Advice on matters ranging from divorce to employment;
• Advice on specific tax related issues;
• Help to manage and reschedule debt;
• Help to understand the benefits system and entitlement; and
• Support on career changes, especially after accident or injury.

Support sought from construction industry

LCIC has provided the initial funding for this Helpline and is now actively seeking financial and other volunteer support from the major operators within the industry to secure the future of this valuable service for the construction community.

Bill Hill, CEO, Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said:

“This is a big departure from the traditional services offered by our charity and we know that our new 24×7 Construction Industry Helpline will provide a valuable big company benefit to many members of our construction community who are in need of help, advice and support but do not have the opportunity to access it”

Cormac MacCrann, Executive Director, Canary Wharf Contractors and Charity Trustee said:

“In the past our charitable activity has been by way of reacting to requests for emergency financial aid. This new Construction Industry Helpline provides a proactive service and allows LCIC to engage with the community we support at a much earlier stage. I would encourage all the major operators within our industry to get behind this much needed initiative.”