VGC will be supporting Samaritans in 2017.
“We are proud to have a large and incredibly diverse workforce at VGC. The issues which Samaritans can help people with can affect anyone, regardless of their background,” said Ciara Pryce, Group Services director. “We want to increase the awareness of these issues amongst our colleagues, signpost them to available support and at the same raise funds so the Samaritans can continue providing these vital services.
“The VGC Group will continue to support our staff in improving their health and wellbeing – both physical and mental health. This is why we feel that Samaritans provide a good synergy with the work we are doing.”
“We are delighted to have been selected by VGC Group as the chosen charity for 2017 and are looking forward to an exciting partnership,” said Matthew Lock, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Samaritans. “Samaritans is there for anyone struggling to cope, round the clock, every single day of the year. The support from VGC Group will help us ensure we are there for those that need us.”
What Samaritans do
Sometimes life can be tough and just having someone to talk to can make all the difference. Samaritans will listen without judgement and offer the support needed.
Samaritans volunteers are available 24 hours a day:
- face-to-face (there are 201 branches in the UK and Ireland)
- by email to jo@samaritans.org
- SMS
- telephone on 116 123. (This number is free to call and won’t show up on a phone bill.)
In 2015 Samaritans responded to over 5.4 million calls for help.
People might contact Samaritans because of relationship problems, bereavement, financial worries, isolation, depression, illness or substance abuse. Having a listening ear and getting support at the right time can help people cope, and stop these problems becoming major issues.
Fundraising
Over the next few weeks our charity committee will be busy planning events and activities for 2017. Generous VGC staff raised more than £12,700 for blood cancer charity Bloodwise by the end of 2016. We hope to match or even beat that for Samaritans.
Staff interested in joining the committee, or taking part in fundraising (for instance, by running a marathon) should contact Ciara.
We’ll share news about our charity fundraising activities on this website as well as on Facebook and Twitter – follow us to keep up to date.
Statistics
While there has been progress since these surveys were carried out (including the pledge by the prime minister on 9 January 2017 to improve mental health services in UK workplaces), the following statistics are interesting:
- 68.2% of construction industry professionals who responded to a survey had suffered from stress, anxiety or depression as a result of working in the construction industry. (Chartered Institute of Building pdf, 2006)
- 88% of construction industry professionals who responded to a survey experienced some level of work-related stress. (Health and Safety Executive pdf, 2007)
