Seddon sets up mental health hotline for staff

Grant Prior 7 years ago
Share

Seddon has set up a mental health hotline for its 700 employees following the tragic suicide of one of its young workers.

Jordan Bibby was only 25 when he committed suicide
Jordan Bibby was only 25 when he committed suicide

Jordan Bibby  was just 25 when he took his own life last September.

The painter and decorator was a valued member of the Seddon property services team and his death came as a shock to family, friends and colleagues.

Jordan’s mum, Melanie, said: “No one had any idea that Jordan was suffering.  If he would have reached out to any of us we would have helped him get the support he needed.

“We would have got him through it, we always did, we always made sure he was OK, and for the most part he was.

“I think there was just one moment where he couldn’t see a way forward and he made a decision and it’s the one thing that we can’t fix.

“I would give anything to get him back, my own life for his, but I know that’s not possible.  What I can do is share our story, talk about it and let other people know that, in their darkest moments, there is always someone willing to listen and help.”

Seddon has now launched its ‘Jordan’s Conversation’ mental health and wellbeing initiative across live construction sites and offices.

Talks will discuss how employees can recognise and seek help for their own mental health issues as well as how to spot if a colleague may require support.

All 700 employees will be involved as well as the 400 subcontractor team members on the company’s sites.

Seddon has also set up a comprehensive employee assistance programme, run by employer insurer Aviva – Care First, to provide support services through crisis and access to counselling with a 24 hour confidential external hotline.

Melanie said: “Jordan’s Conversation is such a vital initiative; I felt I had no option but to get involved, to help; it’s what Jordan would have wanted.

“We need to get men especially to open up about how they feel.  We need to let them know that no one is bullet proof and that it’s OK to need help and we need to encourage them to reach out for support.

“I don’t want anyone to ever feel like Jordan must have felt, like they couldn’t carry on.

“If Jordan had reached out a thousand hands would have held him so tightly and only lessened the hold when he was strong enough to stand again. Make Jordan matter, make his life bring a difference.

“No one is alone, please speak out.”

Nicola Hodkinson, director of business services at Seddon said: “We’re a business with family values at its core and our people are very important to us so news of Jordan’s death last year deeply affected all of the team here.

“Since that tragic event, we have thought long and hard about how we can create an environment where our people feel able to speak out if they are suffering and how to ensure everyone in the business looks out for each other’s mental wellbeing.

“Poor mental health is on everyone’s agenda but as a male dominated industry we are more susceptible than most.

“Jordan’s Conversation is a key first step in our mission to achieve our aim and the start of a much more open and supportive approach to mental health at all levels of the business.

 

Latest news

Malaysian property giant to buy 50% stake in JRL

IJM Land to buy into diversified £800m turnover south east contractor
4 hours ago

Luxury house builder files administration notice

£31m turnover Octagon Developments Ltd lodges court notice
5 hours ago

Morgan Sindall takes on £22m stalled ISG Cardiff school job

Workplan is being drawn up ahead of restart on Penarth school
5 hours ago

Walker Modular wins bathroom pod deal on student tower

Sealant-free construction method helps supplier dominate student market
5 hours ago

Over £600m awarded for decarbonisation projects – full lists

Over 240 public building energy upgrade projects secure cash
19 hours ago

Enabling works to start on £130m Huyton town centre regen

Phase one includes a new council HQ, hotel and 72 flats
1 day ago

Ridge buys rival consultant Jubb

Acquisition will see 100 new staff join Ridge
1 day ago

Grainger build to rent pipeline rises to £1.4bn

Rental specialist buys sites in Sheffield and Cardiff to build 600 rental homes
1 day ago

Kier wins Cambridgeshire County council estate upkeep

Firm will provide building and M&E services to 106 buildings across the county
1 day ago

Louvres and solar shading specialist files for administration

Hampshire based ALPS lodges court notice after 25 years in business
1 day ago

Speedy Hire posts a loss in latest results

Hire giant confident of better performance in next six months
1 day ago

Esh to lead next phase of Riverside Sunderland regeneration

Infrastructure work will allow further development of Sheepfolds area
1 day ago

Green light for £1.3bn Edinburgh coastal town revamp

First phase of Granton Waterfront scheme will see Cruden Homes create a new community
2 days ago

Vistry chief operating officer steps down

Earl Sibley exits as his COO role axed for more direct reporting to CEO
2 days ago

House builder Camstead goes into administration

Work stopped on three current sites
3 days ago

Death of piling legend Roger Bullivant

Industry innovator dies after long illness aged 85
2 days ago

ESS Modular went down owing suppliers £7m

Modular specialist owned by ISG owner Cathexis
2 days ago

Builders back farmers in inheritance tax protest

"A rethink is desperately needed" say National Federation of Builders
2 days ago

Willmott Dixon wins £36m leisure centre upgrade

Work to start on historic Westminster 1930s Grade II listed Seymour Centre
2 days ago

Graham wins £100m Cardiff Crossrail phase 1

Work on route to Cardiff Bay to start before end of next year
3 days ago

Laing O’Rourke appoints new European MD

Peter Lyons to take-up new role in February
4 days ago

Profits dip at Stepnell ahead of demerger

Turnover and secured workloads up ahead of restructure
4 days ago

HS2 green bridge deck takes shape

100m-wide wildlife bridge to carry hedgerows and country lane over HS2
3 days ago

1,000-home Wolverhampton city centre scheme in for planning

ECF and council advance City Centre West build to rent scheme
4 days ago

Sisk clinches £54m North London council HQ revamp

Haringey's iconic Grade II listed civic centre to be brought back into use
4 days ago

Ofgem approves £2.5bn Eastern Green Link 1

Work to start next Spring on cable project from Scotland to the north of England
4 days ago

Anglian Water hunts for £1bn delivery partner

Programme delivery partner wil integrate with client team over 15-year plan
4 days ago

Hadden collapse costs supply chain £6.7m

"Highly unlikely" subcontractors will receive anything for their unpaid invoices
4 days ago

Management buyout at M&E specialist

£25m turnover Kimpton in second MBO in its 60-year history
4 days ago

BAM finalises £71m deal to replace first major RAAC school

Work to start on new St Leonards Catholic School in Durham
4 days ago

Contractor services