By David Barrett
Five years ago I completed a Mental Health First Aid course through Dulux Select to become a Mental Health Ambassador for the scheme. It proved to be an unexpectedly timely decision: just one month later, Covid arrived and life changed dramatically. The skills I learned then were invaluable while the family and I were confined indoors for months with no work or school routines.
Last month I had the chance to retake the course, this time at the Dulux Academy in Altrincham. The venue was closer than the main academy in Slough, cutting my travelling time roughly in half, and the facilities were excellent — everything we needed was provided so the day ran smoothly. I attended alongside four other members of Dulux Select, people I’d met at previous events, which made the group feel relaxed and conducive to open conversation.
The course itself was very well run. We revisited topics that reflect real experiences across the industry and among friends and family. The training sharpened my ability to recognise when someone might be struggling and, crucially, how to signpost them to appropriate support. We are not trained diagnosticians after one course, but we can listen without judgement and help someone find professional help — sometimes that listening alone is exactly what’s needed.
I wanted to share this experience for two reasons: to raise awareness about looking after your own mental health and to highlight the value of taking training when the opportunity arises. Mental health in construction is a pressing issue right now — a recent industry report draws attention to the scale of the problem and why it needs a collective response. You can read the report here: On The Tools — Mental Health white paper.
There are more conversations about mental health than ever before. Podcasts, industry groups and individual advocates are helping people open up about feeling low or overwhelmed. That openness both helps those who are struggling and reassures others that it is acceptable to talk about mental health.
Continual learning doesn’t have to be directly linked to your day job. It can be learning a language, trying a sport or taking up a new hobby — all of which can refresh your perspective and improve wellbeing. In a trade that evolves constantly, sticking rigidly to techniques relied upon for decades can leave you feeling stale while others adapt and progress.
Over the past ten years I’ve seen many changes in the painting and decorating industry. New materials, techniques and products have emerged, and keeping up with those developments helps maintain both the quality of work and the satisfaction that comes from doing a good job. On a personal note, I’m trying to learn Spanish at the moment — I’m not fluent yet, but the challenge is rewarding in itself.
If you’re considering mental-health training or want to explore professional development opportunities, take a moment to look into local courses and industry initiatives. If you’d like to discuss training, the industry, or share experiences, feel free to get in touch through our contact page: Contact. You can also learn more about who we are and what we do here: About us.
Open conversations and continued learning make a real difference — both to the quality of our work and to the health of our communities. If you’ve attended similar training or are thinking about it, sharing what you learned helps others consider the same step.
Get in touch with our team for a free, no-obligation quote.
