The Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme has worked with the National Home Improvement Council to create a new podcast series probing the industry’s mental health and wellbeing challenges, enlisting the help of experts to offer insight and support.
The initiative is the latest step in the Scheme’s two-year campaign to tackle mental health issues in the industry, as chief executive Faisal Hussain explained. “Building on our campaign, we decided that there was so much more we can do to help. So, along with our other Schemes, we started a collaboration with the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), to bring together medical experts, frontline charity workers and DGCOS representatives to prioritise and shine a light on mental health and wellbeing, in a new series of six podcasts now available.
“During this carefully researched and structured series, the six episodes cover the following topics: mental health support in the sector and its effects on productivity; what does a good work life balance look like; managing loneliness working away from home; the importance of a holistic approach and training; how to manage common mental health problems like anxiety and depression; and accessing debt support for better financial health.”
Contributors and guests on the podcasts included: Hannah Vickers, Chief of Staff at Mace and Head of Productivity at the Construction Leadership Council; Martin Lockham from Mates in Mind; George Jones from Cahill Renewables; Tony Steel from Band of Builders; GP Dr Rachel Cooper MBBS MRCGP; and Greg Jenkinson, from Step Change.
Anna Scothern, Chief Executive of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) said: “We’re excited to announce this new podcast series which addresses the crucial issue of mental health awareness in the home improvement sector. Through this series of engaging podcasts, we are reaching out to diverse audiences, fostering creativity, and promoting well-being in the home improvement community. I applaud DGCOS for taking this initiative in partnership with NHIC.”
The series running throughout Autumn coincides with Suicide Prevention Month during September and depression and mental health awareness month in October, and is available at:
https://installers.dgcos.org.uk/
