For people in construction
Working in construction? Struggling and need somewhere to start?
Out before light, home after dark. Pressure to get it ready for the pour. Skint by Monday. A drink on the way home that's turned into every night. You're not weak and you're not on your own — loads of people on site are carrying the same thing.
You don't need time off to start. Every option below works from your phone — in the van, on a break, or late at night.
Are you, or a mate, in danger right now?
1. If life is at risk or someone has taken something — call 999
Or go to A&E. If you can't speak, call 999 and press 55 when asked, or text 999 if you've registered with emergencySMS.
Call 9992. Need to talk to someone now — Samaritans 116 123
Free, 24/7, any phone. Can't talk out loud? Text SHOUT to 85258.
3. Urgent but not an emergency — NHS 111
Call 111 (England, Scotland, Wales). In Northern Ireland, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
Worried about a mate? Stay with them, ask them straight if they're thinking about suicide — it doesn't make it worse — and help them make the call. More urgent options by nation.
People who get it
Real UK services, checked by a person. BesideYou isn't connected to these organisations and isn't paid to list them.
- Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity (opens in a new tab)
0345 605 1956
The construction industry's own charity. Free, confidential 24/7 helpline for workers and their families — emotional, financial and practical help, including money worries.
Industry charity · Last verified 9 October 2026 · Source: lighthouseclub.org
- Samaritans (opens in a new tab)
116 123
Talk to someone any time, day or night, about anything. Free from any phone.
Charity · UK-wide · 24/7 · Last verified 9 October 2026 · Source: samaritans.org
- Shout (opens in a new tab)
Text SHOUT to 85258
Free 24/7 text support if you can't talk out loud — on site, in the van, or at home.
Charity · UK-wide · text · Last verified 9 October 2026 · Source: giveusashout.org
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) (opens in a new tab)
0800 58 58 58
Helpline and webchat, 5pm to midnight every day, for anyone having a hard time.
Charity · UK-wide · Last verified 9 October 2026 · Source: thecalmzone.net
- Andy's Man Club (opens in a new tab)
Free peer-to-peer talking groups for men, Monday evenings, across the UK. No booking needed.
Charity · peer groups · Last verified 9 October 2026 · Source: andysmanclub.co.uk
- Mates in Mind (opens in a new tab)
Mental health charity working with construction firms. Useful if you want to raise this with your employer or site.
Industry charity · Last verified 9 October 2026 · Source: matesinmind.org
We re-check these contacts regularly. Always confirm opening hours on the source site before relying on them.
How the construction space keeps people safe
Anonymous by design
Nickname only. Never share your name, employer, site, firm or anyone else's details — posts that do are hidden straight away.
Clear rules
Be kind, no lectures, no selling, no naming and shaming. Peer support, not medical advice. Read the full rules.
Report anything
Every post has a report button, including "I'm worried about this person". Unsafe posts are hidden until a moderator has looked.
Urgent risk
If a post mentions suicide or self-harm, the writer is shown urgent help before posting. Moderators prioritise "worried" reports. We can't see who you are or send help to you — if someone is in danger, call 999.
Moderators are people from the BesideYou team, not clinicians or crisis workers. BesideYou isn't an emergency service.
Money, drink and drugs
Practical, no-lecture help with debts, borrowing and cutting down — at your own pace.
Talk without a meeting
"On the tools" is our construction-only space. A nickname and a password you make up is the whole sign-up — no email address, no real name, no camera, no meetings. Read it without joining.