Fin Topping, Trainee Quantity Surveyor at Seddon, said: “Losing my friend completely changed how I look at the people around me. Construction is full of people with real lives, responsibilities and pressures outside of work.”

Construction workers are 3.7 times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. Fin believes the industry’s culture of “just getting on with the job” can stop people from speaking up, especially those who never grew up talking openly about their feelings. Often, the people everyone else relies on are the least likely to show they need help themselves.

Before joining Seddon, Fin worked on several sites and says one of the biggest differences they noticed at Seddon was how visible and accessible support is. Through Seddon’s Jordan’s Conversation programme, everyone on site knows who they can talk to, and Fin now regularly delivers toolbox talks reminding colleagues that it’s OK not to be OK.

Seddon has also rolled out the Mates in Mind Champions model across its key supply chain. Wellbeing walks, litter picks, tree planting and ice cream van visits on hot days help bring teams together.

Fin’s message is simple: small gestures make a big difference. Asking someone how they are, or having a conversation that isn’t about work, can help people feel seen and build the trust that makes it easier to open up.

Read