City Building, one of Scotland’s largest construction services firms, has marked World Mental Health Day [Thursday October 10] with the launch of a unique wellness room to support the mental wellbeing of its employees.
The facility includes a reading corner offering self-help books, a yoga mat for stretching, a walking pad to enable physical activity, a couch and chair for relaxing and a speaker to provide music. It also features plants to make the room inviting and artwork designed to encourage reflection.
The room, which is located within City Building’s headquarters in the Springburn area of Glasgow, was built entirely by City Building apprentices. With around 200 apprentices on its payroll, City Building operates Scotland’s largest apprenticeship programme.
The room’s soft furnishings were created by RSBi, City Building’s manufacturing arm. RSBi is among the UK’s largest supported businesses, and more than half of its 250 staff have a disability or are disadvantaged.
In recognition of City Building’s commitment to improving working conditions and supporting employees, the organisation’s Joint Trade Union Committee donated £600 to help fund its creation.
Frank McCafferty, executive director, City Building, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our wellness room. It offers a safe space for people to unwind, relax and simply take time out for themselves if they need to decompress amid a busy day. Should they require further support, there is information encouraging them to get in touch with colleagues who can help.
“What’s truly unique is that it was delivered by our apprentices, encouraging them to consider their own and others’ mental health needs and hopefully forging a special connection with the wellness room.
“I’d also like to thank our trades unions colleagues for their financial support. It is quite the achievement both for City Building and the wider construction industry.”
Thomas Glavin, Chair of the Joint Trade Union Committee at City Building said: “Preventing stress and promoting good mental health at work’ is a priority for us all and supports our values and our workforce.”
The wellness room is the latest measure introduced by City Building to offer greater support to its people, build resilience and create opportunities. Other initiatives include the adoption of Mental Health First Aiders and an annual Mental Health Day, where employees can access information and support. A menopause café has been established for those with menopause symptoms or those living with someone experiencing menopause symptoms.
Meanwhile, City Building’s RSBi factory includes a purpose-built learning centre to encourage lifelong learning in skills ranging from literacy and numeracy to passing a driving test. Gaining a wider range of life skills helps RSBi employees to lead more independent, healthier and happier lives.
