A recent survey carried out by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that stress, depression or anxiety accounts for 51% of all work-related ill health cases.  Male site workers in construction are three times more likely to commit suicide that the average UK male.  Theses shocking statistics are why we strive to make mental health a priority. 

This week to celebrate Mental Health Week, Oakwell is working in collaboration with Telford Homes to bring employees and operatives back to nature.  Telford Homes are running an initiative to get their workforce connecting with nature and have kindly asked us to get involved.  Research carried out by teams from the University of Derby and the University of Cardiff in 2016 suggests that spending time in woodlands regulates human emotions and the heart helping to restore a healthy balance when compared to time in urban environments. 

The scheme encourages staff to find nature wherever they are, exercise in nature and use nature creatively, among other things.  Part of the scheme is a site wide bird box competition.  Oakwell will be building the Birdboxes for the sites at Equipment Works and Gallions Quarter, with help from our Telford Homes Site Managers, Sukh and Kirill.  Obviously, we cannot show you what we are working on……………it is a competition after all! But watch this space as once the entries are in, we will publish our efforts to the website!