The Lighthouse Charity and Ripple Suicide Prevention Launch New Partnership with Live Webinar
The Lighthouse Charity, the UK’s leading construction charity supporting the wellbeing of the construction community and their families, and Ripple Suicide Prevention, the charity pioneering online safety through crisis intervention technology, are launching their new partnership via a live webinar to drive positive change across the construction sector.
The partnership aims to encourage open conversations around mental health and suicide prevention, increase awareness of the support available to construction workers, and help employers build safer, more supportive workplaces.
Construction remains one of the highest-risk industries for suicide in the UK. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, and for those working in construction, the risk is four times greater. While pressure, pace, and resilience are often seen as strengths within the sector, these same characteristics can make it harder for individuals to speak up or seek help.
The new partnership brings together two complementary approaches to suicide prevention, encompassing both individuals and workplaces. The Lighthouse Charity provides confidential, in-person, online and telephone support delivered by trained professionals with deep sector expertise.
The Ripple technology adds an extra layer of protection for at-risk individuals by intercepting harmful online searches related to suicide and self-harm, and signposting users to free, 24/7 support. It is provided to individual users and educational institutions at no cost through the Ripple Suicide Prevention charity and is deployed in workplaces via Ripple For Business.
Alice Hendy MBE, Founder and CEO of Ripple Suicide Prevention and Ripple For Business, said: “Suicide prevention cannot rely on a single approach. Some people will reach out, others will not, and many experience crisis online before speaking to anyone. Partnering with the Lighthouse Charity allows us to connect our digital crisis intervention tool with trusted, human support. Together, we can reach people who might otherwise be missed and create a stronger safety net for those working in the construction industry.”
Sarah Bolton, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, added:
“Our partnership with Ripple will ensure that there are even more pro-active measures in place to protect our workforce from harm. Using digital technology to intercept harmful online searches means that at risk individuals can be supported through their immediate crisis and signposted to our 24/7 helpline team who can deliver expert help and guide people to a safe space.”
As part of the launch, the organisations will co-host a live webinar bringing together leaders and lived experience voices from across construction to share insights relevant to all industries.
The webinar will be moderated by Alice Hendy MBE and bring together Sarah Bolton, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, Claire Wilkinson, HR Lead – Wellbeing & ED&I at AECOM, and Andy Bishop, Lighthouse #MakeItVisible Tour Team and Ripple Advisor.
Register: Building Better: Mental health and suicide prevention learnings from the construction sector
If you or anyone you know is struggling, reach out for 24/7 free & confidential support.
24/7 helplines; 0345 605 1956, (UK) 1800 939 122 (ROI)
Live chat www.lighthousecharity.org
Text HARDHAT to 85258
Find out more at www.lighthousecharity.org
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About The Lighthouse Charity
The Lighthouse Charity provides 24/7 holistic support to the UK and Ireland construction community on all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing.
They offer a free and confidential 24/7 helpline, live web chat service and text facility which provides a range of information, guidance and support on a huge variety of wellbeing issues. These services are complemented by their free self-support app, along with their Lighthouse Beacons who provide a safe space for people to share concerns.
The Lighthouse’s Charity’s #MakeItVisible initiative aims to reach some of the industry’s most vulnerable workers and visits constructions sites across the country to spread the message of support.
About Ripple Suicide Prevention
Ripple Suicide Prevention is a charity founded by Alice Hendy MBE following the death of her brother, Josh, to suicide. It raises awareness of suicide prevention and online safety, challenges mental health stigma, and provides Ripple’s digital crisis intervention tool free of charge to individuals, parents, guardians, educational institutions and charitable organisations.
About Ripple For Business
Ripple For Business helps private and public-sector organisations protect their people from online harm. It strengthens workplace safety and mental health support through proactive digital intervention at the moment of crisis – guiding individuals to a message of hope and 24/7 mental health services.
PR Contacts
Lighthouse Charity Marketing & PR Manager – Michelle Finnerty
E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: 01473 913125
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications – Jon Howcroft
E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: 01473 946013
Ripple Suicide Prevention Founder and CEO Alice Hendy MBE,
E-Mail: [email protected]