Onward Shift Podcast is Changing the Conversation

Construction is one of the toughest industries to work in. It’s physically demanding, deadline-driven and often defined by a “just get on with it” culture. The long hours, the pressure, the transient nature of site life all of it contributes to a work environment that can be extremely challenging not just physically but mentally.

But here’s the truth: mental health in construction is no longer something we can afford to ignore.

That’s why we created the Onward Shift Podcast. It’s a space built specifically for people in construction a place for honest conversations, real stories and practical support around mental health, stress, burnout and the realities of working in the trades.

Why Mental Health in Construction Deserves More Attention

The statistics are stark.

• In the UK, two construction workers die by suicide every working day
• The industry has the highest suicide rate of any sector more than three times the national average
• 1 in 4 construction workers say they’ve considered taking their own life
• More than half have experienced poor mental health, yet only 5 percent feel comfortable talking to their employer about it

These are not just numbers. These are people workers, site managers, apprentices, foremen whose struggles are often invisible.

We talk a lot about safety in this industry. PPE, hard hats, site protocols but we rarely talk about mental safety. About what happens when someone is overwhelmed, anxious, burnt out or grieving.

That silence? It’s costing lives.

Where Traditional Support Falls Short

Many organisations in construction want to support mental health but they don’t always know how. The typical approach often involves:

• Long, formal training sessions that don’t feel relevant
• Corporate wellbeing manuals full of jargon
• Tick-box policies that look good on paper but aren’t felt on site
• Mental health resources that are hard to access or not tailored to tradespeople

Let’s be honest no one on a busy job site is going to read a 40-page PDF about stress management during their lunch break.

What’s needed is something that fits into daily life. Something flexible, relatable and grounded in the realities of construction work.

That’s where the Onward Shift Podcast comes in.

What Is the Onward Shift Podcast?

The Onward Shift Podcast is a free, accessible audio and video series that explores mental health and wellbeing in construction, through the voices of the people who live it every day.

It is a platform for:

• Tradespeople to ask real questions anonymously
• Experts with lived or professional experience to provide honest answers
• Site leaders and business owners to gain insights they can act on
• The whole industry to engage in a meaningful, practical way

Our format is simple: workers send us their questions anything from dealing with anxiety to handling grief after a site accident and we put them to guests who have been there and get it. Mental health professionals. Site managers. Recovery advocates. People who understand the trade and speak the same language.

There’s no script. No corporate spin. Just real talk.

If your question gets answered on an episode, your company gets a shout-out. It’s a way of recognising the people brave enough to start the conversation.

Why a Podcast Works So Well in This Industry

Let’s be practical. What works in an office often doesn’t work on site.

That’s why we chose a podcast format. Because:

• You can listen while driving, working or during a break
• You don’t have to read or attend a session
• You don’t have to speak in front of a group
• You can stay anonymous
• It’s free and easy to access

We’re not asking anyone to take time off the tools to attend a seminar. All it takes is a phone and a pair of headphones.

It’s More Than Talk It’s Culture Change

The construction industry has made real progress in areas like safety, training and compliance but the next frontier is emotional safety.

A mentally healthy site is one where people feel:

• Safe to speak up when they’re struggling
• Confident that they won’t be judged or penalised
• Supported by their colleagues and leaders
• Able to access real help when they need it

That doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen from the top down. It happens through conversations. One-on-one chats. Toolbox talks that go beyond equipment. Moments when someone says, “I’ve been through that too”.

This podcast is a catalyst for those conversations.

What Makes Onward Shift Different?

There are plenty of wellbeing resources out there, but Onward Shift is designed by and for construction. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. You Set the Agenda

We don’t guess what the industry wants to talk about. We ask. Every topic is driven by the real questions we receive from people on site.

2. Our Guests Understand the Trade

From builders and quantity surveyors to therapists who used to work in construction, every guest brings real, grounded experience.

3. We Keep It Real

No buzzwords. No waffle. Just practical, relatable advice you can use or share straight away.

4. We Celebrate the Conversation Starters

When your question gets used, your company gets a mention. It’s our way of thanking you for being part of the shift.

Topics We Cover on the Podcast

Each episode focuses on a key issue raised by someone in the industry. So far, we’ve explored:

• How to spot the signs of burnout before it leads to breakdown
• What to do when you’re worried about a colleague’s mental health
• Dealing with loneliness when working away from home
• Coping with grief after a site accident or loss
• The mental load of leadership and responsibility
• Why substance misuse is common in trades and how to talk about it

We also cover the practical side of change:

• How employers can create a safer culture without needing a full-time wellbeing team
• How site managers can have better check-ins with staff
• What to say when someone opens up and what not to say
• Why peer-to-peer support is more powerful than people think

It’s all grounded in real-world experience. No therapy degrees required to relate.

The Business Case for Better Mental Health

Let’s look beyond compassion for a moment because the economic case for mental health in construction is just as compelling.

• Mental ill-health costs UK employers an estimated £56 billion every year
• The construction sector loses more days to stress, anxiety and depression than to musculoskeletal injuries
• For every £1 invested in mental health, businesses see an average return of £5 (Deloitte, 2022)

Supporting mental health is not only good for workers it improves retention, productivity, team morale and site safety. It reduces absenteeism and turnover. It helps employers build a stronger, more sustainable business.

You don’t need a big budget to get started. Often, it starts with awareness. With asking questions. With listening. With sharing a podcast.

How You Can Get Involved

Whether you’re a business owner, site supervisor or apprentice, there are easy ways to be part of this:

Submit a Question

Got something on your mind? Send it in anonymously or not and we’ll do our best to include it in a future episode.

Email: journey@onwardshift.com

Or use the contact form on our website

Share the Podcast with Your Team

Here are a few easy ideas:

• Print a QR code and stick it on your site noticeboard
• Include a link in your next team email
• Mention it at the next toolbox talk
• Host a “Podcast and Pie” lunch grab some food and play an episode

These small steps make a big difference. They show your team that it’s okay to talk and that someone’s listening.

Where to Listen

The podcast is available on:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• YouTube
• Or directly from our website

No logins or sign-ups needed. Just hit play.

Let’s Build a Healthier Industry, Together

Construction is full of problem-solvers. People who graft. People who take pride in what they build but we can’t keep building the same culture and expect different results.

If we want to create an industry where people can thrive not just survive then mental health needs to be part of the conversation.

The Onward Shift Podcast is a tool to help that happen. It won’t fix everything but it will start conversations, open eyes and give people the confidence to speak up.

And that’s where change begins.

Ready to Join the Shift?

If you’ve ever wondered:

• How do I support someone without overstepping?
• What do I say when a mate is struggling?
• How do we make it feel okay to talk?
• Then this podcast is already for you.

Tune in. Ask a question. Share it with your team.

Let’s talk. Let’s listen. Let’s shift the industry together.