Builders’ merchants are being urged to come together and pledge their support for a ground-breaking new mental health support initiative which aims to reach every customer of every merchant branch in the UK.
Every Merchant Matters has been launched by Band of Builders with the aim of harnessing the unique reach of the merchant sector to create a nationwide network of branches where construction workers can find someone who is available to listen, start a conversation and help signpost them towards mental health support.
Builders’ merchants play a pivotal role in UK construction as branch teams interact with thousands of tradespeople every day, frequently developing trusted relationships with customers over many years. That means they can sometimes spot the small but important signs that somebody is not themselves – and have an opportunity to ask simple questions, start a conversation and point them towards help.
The campaign is the brainchild of national construction charity Band of Builders – which has partnered with the Support Yard CIC and has the backing of Builders Merchants Federation (BMF). It is urging merchants to come together to take the first step and pledge their support by going to https://www.bandofbuilders.org/every-merchant-matters/. Every Merchant Matters was launched at the latest BMF Members’ Day, with the event attended by more than 400 key industry figures who heard that at the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful idea: every merchant branch has the potential to make a difference.
Once a pledge has been made, the key to the campaign’s success is two-fold: it’s the visibility and consistency in branches up and down the country – whether that’s a large national chain or a small independent merchant. Secondly, it’s having trained merchant team members in every branch to know that every conversation matters, every connection matters and every person – be it customers or colleagues – matters.
The initiative aims to turn those individual opportunities into a coordinated, industry-wide movement according to Band of Builders CEO Gavin Crane who said that the campaign will encourage merchant branches to make a commitment to supporting construction workers, helping to break down stigma and make conversations around mental health part of everyday life within the industry.
“The potential of Every Merchant Matters is enormous. Builders’ merchants are woven into the fabric of construction communities across the UK, with thousands of conversations taking place across trade counters every single day,” he said. “Imagine the difference that could be made if merchant branches throughout the country became places where tradespeople knew that somebody was available to listen and where information about support was always within easy reach.
“This is about mobilising one of the most powerful networks our industry has and using it to look after its greatest asset – its people.”
Gavin continued: “Every Merchant Matters is more than a campaign. Our ambition is to create an industry movement and bring about lasting change in the way construction supports its own.”
What happens after a pledge has been made?
Once a merchant branch has joined Every Merchant Matters they will be encouraged to make a small donation to receive a Branch Activation Kit. This will give them the resources to promote their commitment to Every Merchant Matters and, importantly, materials they can hand out to colleagues and customers in branch.
Gavin explained: “This needs to be about more than putting another poster on the wall. That’s why we’ve partnered with The Support Yard to offer merchant-specific training, giving colleagues practical tools to recognise when something may have changed, feel more confident starting a conversation and know how to signpost someone towards the right support.”
As part of the Every Merchant Matters campaign, branches will also be encouraged to sign up to a ‘Spotting the Signs, Starting the Conversation’ training programme being delivered by The Support Yard CIC, which is designed to give people across the building materials sector the skills and confidence to support colleagues and customers through difficult times.
The three-hour online or in-person course will be available to book through the BMF, and teaches merchant staff how to recognise a meaningful change in customers or colleagues, and understand how to open a low-pressure, caring conversation with those who may need someone to talk to. They will also learn how to confidently signpost people facing difficulties that could lead to poor mental health to the support available, both via Band of Builders and other appropriate resources.
Training can be booked for individuals and companies can arrange for dedicated onsite training for their teams.
The course also acts as a taster of the wider Support Guide Certification Scheme – an eight-day training programme from The Support Yard that aims to create a network of Support Guides who can provide informed peer support within their workplaces and strengthen workforce resilience within their businesses. This in-depth course includes an MHFA First Aider and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training certification as well as four days of training diving deeper into British Standard requirements and specialist modules built around the industry.
A Support Guide acts as a first point of contact for someone who may be struggling at work or in their personal life. They are not counsellors or mental health professionals, but people equipped with the confidence and practical skills to recognise when someone might need support and start a safe and appropriate conversation. These are skills that can benefit you far beyond the workplace and can act as a valuable addition to your CV and your professional development.
“Turning commitment into action”
Gavin summed up by saying: “Every Merchant Matters will only achieve its potential if we turn commitment into action. We want merchant branches across the UK to get behind this movement, display the materials, train team members to be Support Guides and make it clear that support is there when somebody needs it. Every branch that joins strengthens the network and extends the reach – so collectively, the merchant sector has a tremendous opportunity to create lasting change and make a real difference to people’s lives.”
See more information and make a pledge at https://www.bandofbuilders.org/every-merchant-matters/.
