The South West Community has recently held their first Community Day held at Westpoint near Exeter. The day focused on Health & Safety, Environment and Wellness. The event was attended by over 150 visitors.

There was a large turnout of Exhibitors demonstrating the most up to date safety equipment, which was co-ordinated by CRL Will Sinnott. Examples were auto-stop using radar detection, vehicle blind spot cameras, line-marking removal, reinstatement plant and electric vehicles.

The highlight of the day was a personal speech made by one of the Community Suppliers giving a personal account of how he had found himself in a ‘bad place’ with working away from home and had planned his own suicide in detail. This emphasised the problems that have been hidden in the industry in the past in respect to Mental Health in Construction.

A presentation was done by the ‘Lighthouse Charity’ who is the only charity that provides financial and emotional support to the construction industry and their families who suffer an injury, illness or just need some extra support. The charity provides a 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline. Their telephone number is 0345 605 1956.

At the end of the day a raffle was held and it was great to raise over £7,000 for both the Lighthouse Charity and the James Hopkins Trust. CRL had donated Afternoon tea for two to the raffle and this was won by Liz Keogh of MJ Church who organised much of the event and was very pleased with her prize.