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Construction Mental Health FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re looking for mental health support for yourself, your workforce or your students, it’s natural to have questions before taking the next step. Below you’ll find straightforward answers about Onward Shift, our construction mental health services and what you can expect. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch.

Onward Shift

Onward Shift is a mental health platform built specifically around the construction industry. We support people, companies and education providers through professional support, lived-experience conversations, practical resources and opportunities to connect.

No. Onward Shift is for anyone who wants to better understand mental health, find support, help someone else or contribute to healthier conversations across construction.

No.

If you need urgent help, please visit our Urgent Help page for immediate support options.

Coaching and Counselling

Yes. Your sessions are treated as confidential and our coaches and counsellors are expected to follow appropriate professional confidentiality standards.

There may be limited circumstances where information needs to be shared, such as where there is a serious concern about safety or where disclosure is required by law. Your provider can explain their confidentiality arrangements at the start of your work together.

That’s completely okay. The relationship you have with your coach or counsellor matters, and sometimes the first person you speak to won’t feel like the right fit.

If that happens, let us know and we’ll help you explore another provider.

  • Single session: £85
  • 5 sessions: £400 (save £25)
  • 10 sessions: £800 (save £50)

We keep pricing simple and transparent.

Every session will be different depending on whether you choose coaching or counselling and the provider you work with.

You can expect a confidential, non-judgemental space where you have time to talk openly about what is going on for you. A coach may focus more on goals, change and practical next steps, while counselling may give you space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences in greater depth.

Your provider will work at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

Sessions usually last 50–60 minutes and can be:

  • Phone
  • Video call
  • Face-to-face (where available)

Coaching is generally more focused on where you are now, where you would like to get to and the changes you want to make. Counselling provides space to explore emotions, experiences and difficulties in greater depth.

There is no fixed script. Your sessions should develop around what you need and what you feel comfortable discussing.

Email: jo*****@*********ft.com

We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Keynote Speakers

Yes. Our keynote speakers can be booked by construction companies, education providers and other organisations looking to start meaningful conversations around mental health and lived experience.

  • A live talk based on lived experience
  • Optional Q&A
  • Flexible delivery depending on your audience

Pricing varies depending on the speaker, location, session length and requirements. We’ll provide a clear price before anything is booked.

Yes, we can travel across the UK and beyond.

  • Site teams
  • Apprentices
  • Leadership teams
  • Colleges and training providers

Construction is our main focus, although our speakers can also share their experiences with audiences outside the industry where the subject and message are a good fit.

A keynote is primarily designed to share a powerful message or lived experience with a wider audience. Workshops are usually more interactive and give people more opportunity to explore a particular mental health topic, ask questions and take part in discussion or practical activities.

Workshops & Presentations

Our workshops and presentations are designed for construction companies, teams and organisations, with selected sessions also suitable for colleges, apprenticeship providers and other construction education settings.

Topics will depend on the specialists available, but sessions may include mental health, suicide awareness, confidence, neurodiversity, workplace culture, communication, leadership, difficult client relationships and other challenges affecting people at work.

If you have a particular subject in mind, let us know and we’ll explore the most suitable option.

This depends on the subject and what your organisation needs. Sessions can range from shorter presentations through to more detailed workshops. We’ll agree the format and duration with you before booking.

Workshop and presentation prices vary depending on the provider, topic, length of the session, location and your organisation’s requirements. We’ll always provide a clear price before anything is booked.

Yes. Depending on the provider and the subject, workshops and presentations may be available in person, online or in a hybrid format. We’ll help you find the option that works best for your team.

A keynote is primarily designed to share a powerful message or lived experience with a wider audience. Workshops are usually more interactive and give people more opportunity to explore a particular mental health topic, ask questions and take part in discussion or practical activities.

Networking Walk & Talk Events

Most people don’t when they first come.

That’s the whole point, it’s a chance to meet others in construction in a natural, low-pressure way.

Not at all.

You can talk as much or as little as you like. Some people come just to listen and clear their head.

Yes, but not in the traditional sense.

There are no pitches, no pressure and no awkward introductions. Just real conversations while walking.

The walk will usually still go ahead unless conditions are unsafe.

If anything changes, we’ll update attendees in advance.

Around 1 hour, depending on the group and route.

All walks start and finish at the same location.

We recommend booking so we have an idea of numbers, but the event is free and you’re welcome to join us.

Yes, completely free to attend.

Anyone in construction or connected to the industry whether you’re a tradesperson, business owner or just starting out.

You’re still welcome.

These events are built around construction but anyone who wants to listen, connect and be part of the conversation can attend.

Yes. Free on-street parking is available nearby.

Yes. Routes are chosen based on safety and conditions.

In winter months, we stick to well-lit public areas.

Of course. Just make sure they book a space too so we can manage numbers.

Construction Mental Health Talks

Yes, spaces are limited, so booking in advance is recommended to secure your place.

No. There’s absolutely no pressure.

You can just come, listen and take it in.

These talks are built for people in construction but they’re open to anyone who wants to understand, listen and be part of the conversation.

Due to the nature of the topics discussed, these talks are not suitable for under 18s.

  • Teas and coffees
  • Free parking
  • A relaxed, informal environment
  • A real, honest talk
  • A better understanding of mental health in construction
  • A space to reflect
  • The opportunity to connect with others

Yes, there’s time at the end to connect and talk if you want to.

Students

No. Onward Shift is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, learn from other people’s experiences or feel more prepared for life within construction.

Our podcasts, blogs, newsletters and Walk & Talks are free. Coaching and counselling are paid one-to-one services, with prices explained clearly before anything is booked.

Coaching and counselling conversations are treated confidentially. A provider may need to act where there is a legal obligation or a serious concern about somebody’s safety.

No. Onward Shift’s individual coaching and counselling services are available to people aged 18 and over. Our wider free resources and education support may still be available to learners aged 16+.

If your life is at risk or you believe you may harm yourself or somebody else, call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.

For other immediate support options, visit the Onward Shift Urgent Help page.

Education Providers

No. We can support colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers, training organisations and other education providers working with people preparing for careers within construction and the built environment.

Our wider education resources are primarily designed for learners aged 16 and over. Individual coaching and counselling services through Onward Shift are available only to people aged 18 and over. Where learners are under 18, the education provider remains responsible for its own safeguarding and support arrangements.

Yes. Keynotes, talks and other sessions can be delivered in person depending on location, requirements and speaker availability. Online delivery may also be available.

Yes. Before delivering a session, we can discuss your learners, their stage of education and the challenges or topics you would particularly like addressed.

The aim is for the conversation to feel relevant to the people actually sitting in the room.

Yes. Onward Shift has a growing library of free blogs, podcasts, newsletters and other mental health resources which education providers can share with learners and staff.

No. A large part of the work is preventative.

Someone may simply want to understand themselves better, learn from another person's experiences, build confidence, prepare for working life or understand where support is available before they ever need it.

Not sure where to start? Send us a message and we’ll point you in the right direction.

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Helping construction, one conversation at a time.

Onward Shift

Events

For People

For Companies

For Education

Free Resources

Join Our Panel

Press & Partnerships

Contact Us

Instagram Tiktok Linkedin Facebook Youtube Spotify Apple
Copyright © 2026 Onward Shift™, All rights reserved | Company Number 15583217

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