‘Wellness Zones’ Support Mental Health Of Site Staff

Bellway Homes has introduced ‘wellness zones’ at three of its housing developments in the East Midlands to help support the mental health of workers.

They feature picnic benches and posters promoting mental health support groups and other health-related topics, at two sites in Leicestershire and one in Northamptonshire.

The first ‘wellness zone’ was introduced at Bellway’s Stoughton Park in Oadby in summer 2023, with others following at Hugglescote Grange in Hugglescote, and at The Wickets in Desborough, which is being built under the company’s Ashberry Homes brand.

They are designed to offer a safe place where workers on site can take time out to discuss mental health issues in privacy with colleagues.

The ‘wellness zone’ created by Bellway at The Wickets in Desborough, where homes are being built under the Ashberry Homes brand.

The idea for the zones was conceived during mental health awareness training which Bellway introduced as part of its innovative long-term sustainability strategy, Better with Bellway, which puts people and the planet first.

Tom Nicklin, Head of Construction for Bellway East Midlands, was part of a programme to train people managers to be Mental Health Advocates.

He said: “These zones are predominantly outdoor spaces with picnic benches designed to provide a peaceful environment for people to use to decompress or have a private chat away from the busy site office or canteen.

“Men have historically not been very good at opening up about their problems so we are hoping that these zones will encourage more tradespeople to do that by providing a designated quiet space.”

“Since the introduction of the ‘wellness zones’ we have seen a few conversations with site staff and trades on site when they have opened up around issues where previously this discussion would not have occurred. Some were directed for further support to the Lighthouse Charity, which is the only charity dedicated to providing emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.