Covid-19: CITB chief exec update - 14 October 2020

Good afternoon,

Today’s email reflects on the importance of looking after our mental health and highlights the new features added to The Lighthouse Club’s free app, as well as a link to share your views on the CITB Grants Scheme.

It continues to be an unsettling time with the increasing COVID-19 infection rates resulting in the new three-tier lockdown system in England, introduced by the UK Government earlier this week. It’s evident that we need to do all we can to minimise the risk of infection, not only in our home lives but also at work and within our industry. I would like to remind you of our COVID-19 site safety checklists and forms, which we are continually reviewing to ensure they reflect the current requirements for Site Operating Procedures.

New app features to support industry wellbeing

Last Saturday was World Mental Health Day, and with such major challenges and uncertainty impacting everyone’s way of life to some extent this year, the focus was on ‘mental health for all’. This reinforces the importance of looking out for loved ones, but also acts as a reminder to take time out to consider your own mental wellbeing.

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity recently launched a free helpline app, which encourages people to seek guidance and information, while providing a discreet platform for them to do so. Following employers’ feedback, the app has since been upgraded with new features and tools to support financial wellbeing. Working in partnership with ‘nudge’, a financial wellbeing platform, the app reminds users when to take financial action, helps with budgeting, and provides content to boost financial knowledge.

Your views on the CITB Grants Scheme matter

We have asked for your feedback throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to enable us to support the construction industry where it matters most and to shape the work we do. Now more than ever your views are helping us ensure limited funds are directed to where they can make the most difference for you. 

As part of our review of the support we offer, we will be inviting organisations and their employees to share their views on training and the Grants Scheme. Your feedback matters and this is your opportunity to help us develop what we offer in the future. Please complete the feedback form, which should take no longer than 10 minutes, by 5pm on 2 November 2020.

A reminder… 

CITB’s  COVID-19 Urgent Messages page is refreshed regularly and includes updates on the full range of our work. You can also read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government.  

Finally, I would like to wish you all a safe week ahead. 

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive