MWB Design & Build Group: World Mental Health Day 2026
Written by Martin Boardman
Founder & Managing Director
At MWB Design & Build, I’ve always believed that looking after our people should be one of our biggest priorities.
In the construction industry, we spend a lot of time focused on delivering projects, meeting deadlines, managing pressures and ensuring everyone gets home safely at the end of the working day. But it’s just as important that we look after the people undertaking the work, not just their physical safety, but their mental health and wellbeing too.
Last Thursday, we took an extended brew break, with plenty of bacon and sausage butties, tuna sandwiches and fruit for the health conscious in the team, to give everyone a little extra time away from their usual routines to sit down, have a chat and enjoy each other’s company.
It might seem like a small gesture, but I genuinely believe these moments matter.
Construction can be a demanding industry, both physically and mentally. There are deadlines to meet, problems to solve, clients to look after and the everyday pressures that come with running and working in a busy business. It’s easy to get caught up in it all and forget that sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference.
Breaking Down the Barriers Around Men's Mental Health
Men’s mental health is something I believe our industry needs to take particularly seriously.
Construction remains a predominantly male industry, and for generations there’s been a culture of putting on a brave face, keeping your problems to yourself, and simply getting on with the job.
Thankfully, attitudes are changing, but there is still work to do.
As business leaders we need to create an environment where people feel comfortable talking, where asking for help isn’t seen as a weakness and where looking out for each other is just as important as looking out for someone’s safety on site.
Of course, mental health doesn’t just affect men. We have some amazing women working across our business, in architecture, design, project management, administration and the wider team, their wellbeing is every bit as important. They face their own pressures and challenges, both inside and outside work, many with work and family commitments to balance, and it’s important that everyone, regardless of gender or role, feels equally supported, respected and valued.
Ultimately, we are all busy people, and we all have things going on in our lives that others might know very little about.
One thing I’m particularly conscious of as our business continues to grow is the responsibility we have towards the younger members of our team and those just starting out in construction. We are fortunate to have some very experienced people working across MWB, colleagues who have spent many years in the industry and have an enormous amount of knowledge, skill and experience to pass on.
I believe one of the most valuable things they can do is take the time to support, encourage, and mentor our younger colleagues and apprentices.
Starting out in construction can be daunting. There’s a huge amount to learn, mistakes will inevitably be made, and confidence takes time to develop. Having someone experienced who is prepared to offer advice, explain how things work, share their knowledge, and provide a bit of reassurance can make all the difference.
And sometimes, it’s not even about teaching someone something new. Simply telling someone ‘Well done’, or ‘top job today’, a pat on the back can mean far more than we might realise.
We can all be guilty of pointing out when something hasn’t gone quite right, but perhaps we don’t always spend enough time recognising when someone has done a good job. A little encouragement costs nothing, but it can build confidence, improve morale, and help someone feel that their contribution is genuinely appreciated.
I also believe that this works both ways. Our younger colleagues bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm and new ways of thinking, and there is plenty that those of us who have been around a little longer can learn from them too.
The best teams are those where people of all ages and experience levels respect, support and learn from one another.
We won’t always know what someone is going through inside and outside work, and we certainly don’t need to think we have all the answers. But taking a moment to ask how someone is doing, having a conversation, listening without judgement, or simply making someone feel included can make a real difference.
Last weeks extended brew break was just one small way of putting that into practice. It wasn’t about expecting everyone to open about their problems or turning a bacon butty into a counselling session!
It was simply about getting everyone together, having a laugh, enjoying a bit of time away from the pressures of the working day and reminding ourselves that we are all part of the same team. I would like to think we are building a business where people enjoy coming to work, feel comfortable being themselves and know that if they are having a difficult time, there is someone they can turn to.
We are not going to get everything right all the time, and like any business, there will always be pressures and challenges. But I believe it’s important that we constantly try to create the right environment for everyone.
As an employer, we have a responsibility to do more than simply provide a job. We should be helping people develop, build confidence, feel valued and, hopefully, enjoy what they do.
Our people are without doubt our greatest asset. Our building and architecture projects come and go, but it is the people, their skills, their commitment, and the relationships we build along the way that really makes a strong and resilient business.
Let’s keep looking out for each other, make time for a chat, share our experience with the next generation, and remember to give someone a pat on the back when they have done a good job.
And if that occasionally involves an extra brew and a bacon butty, then all the better!
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