Roofing material suppliers have been urged to come together with other builders merchants 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 with the aim of harnessing the unique reach of the builders merchant sector to create a nationwide network of branches.
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.
Every Merchant Matters was launched at the latest BMF Members’ Day which was attended by more than 400 key industry figures.
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.
“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.”
See more information and make a pledge at https://www.bandofbuilders.org/every-merchant-matters/.
