Our Story
Building Better Mental Health Support for Construction
Why Onward Shift Exists
At Onward Shift, we believe nobody working in construction should feel they have to struggle alone.
Onward Shift was created from a simple belief that mental health support within construction should be easier to find, easier to understand and easier to talk about. It grew from lived experience of the industry and an understanding of what it can feel like when pressure builds, life becomes difficult and asking for help doesn’t come naturally.
Construction can be demanding. Long hours, tight deadlines, financial pressure, time away from home and a culture of simply getting on with the job can all take their toll. We want to help create an industry where talking about mental health feels normal and where people know where they can turn when they need support.
Supporting People Across Construction
Onward Shift has grown into a construction mental health platform supporting individuals, companies and education providers.
For individuals, that means access to counselling, coaching, free resources and opportunities to connect. For companies, it means keynote speakers, specialist workshops, toolbox talks and practical ways to support their workforce. For education providers, it means helping start conversations about mental health before students enter the industry.
Alongside our professional services, we continue to create free blogs, podcasts, newsletters, toolbox talks, events and resources because we believe useful mental health support shouldn’t always come with a price attached.
There isn’t one solution that works for everybody. Our role is to create different ways for people to start a conversation, understand what they’re experiencing and find the support that feels right for them.
Where We’re Going
Onward Shift is still growing, but the purpose behind it hasn’t changed. We want mental health to be treated with the same seriousness as physical safety across construction, while making it easier for people to speak openly and find support when they need it.
Whether you’re looking for help yourself, trying to better support your workforce or preparing the next generation for a career in construction, Onward Shift is here to give you somewhere to start.
