Build & Thrive

Jennie Armstrong

Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce. Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents? It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction. Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.

  1. 6d ago

    Are We Doing Enough to Prevent Mental Health Harm in Construction?

    In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Sam Downie, Managing Director of Mates in Mind, to explore how the construction industry's approach to mental health has developed over the past decade and what needs to happen next. Although significant progress has been made in raising awareness and reducing stigma, many people working in construction continue to experience poor mental health. Jennie and Sam discuss why greater emphasis is needed on prevention, addressing the working conditions and organisational decisions that contribute to mental health risks. In this episode, we cover: How Mates in Mind has helped change conversations around mental health in construction over the past decade.Why mental health awareness must lead to practical action that prevents harm.The pressures facing smaller contractors, including long working hours, financial uncertainty and challenging payment terms.How the Construction Leadership Council's Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) can help organisations identify and manage psychosocial risks.The role of clients and principal contractors in supporting better working practices throughout their supply chains.Mates in Mind's upcoming 10th anniversary and its ambitious A Thousand Lost Lives campaign, recognising construction workers lost to suicide and seeking to improve prevention.🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Sam Downie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-downie-3280a275/Mates in Mind: Website: https://www.matesinmind.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatesinMind/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matesinmind/X: https://twitter.com/MatesInMindLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mates-in-mind/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    Are We Doing Enough to Prevent Mental Health Harm in Construction?

  2. Oct 15

    How Do You Actually Manage Psychosocial Risk?

    Psychosocial risk is firmly on the construction agenda. The question now is what organisations actually do about it. In this episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong and Stuart Mace look at what they are seeing through recent work with construction organisations, particularly those beginning to assess how well their current approach aligns with ISO 45003 and the Construction Leadership Council Mental Health Joint Code of Practice. Stuart shares some of the recurring themes emerging from psychosocial risk gap analyses, including good intentions that are not always joined up across the business, an over-reliance on reactive support and the continuing tendency to place responsibility for managing pressure on the individual. The conversation also explores why employee voice matters. Policies and management systems can tell you what should be happening, but understanding how work is actually experienced means speaking directly to the people doing it. What we cover What a psychosocial risk gap analysis looks like in practiceWhy HR, health and safety, wellbeing and leadership need to work togetherThe difference between supporting someone once they are struggling and preventing harmful conditions in the first placeWhy stress risk assessment needs to lead to actionHow to make the language of psychosocial risk meaningful to the workforceWhy listening to employees is only useful if organisations are prepared to act on what they hear🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    How Do You Actually Manage Psychosocial Risk?

  3. Sep 9

    Psychosocial Risk and the Future of ISO 45001

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Stuart Mace is joined by Kate Field, Global Head of Human and Social Sustainability at BSI, for a practical conversation about psychosocial risk, work-related stress and what the future of health and safety management could look like. Kate brings deep experience in health and safety, psychosocial risk and standards. She talks about her early career as an HSE inspector, why she became interested in how organisations value people, and why work-related stress has become her chosen specialist subject. A key theme in the episode is simple: health means health. Stuart and Kate discuss why psychosocial risks should be managed with the same level of discipline as physical risks, and why organisations need to move beyond awareness, training and reactive support alone. The conversation looks at what businesses may need to do in practice, including identifying psychosocial hazards, assessing risk, using evidence, talking to people and taking action. The episode also covers the wider future of work, including younger workers’ expectations, the role of wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, climate-related health risks, occupational health, sickness absence, return to work, AI, technology and change management. What we cover: Why Kate Field’s specialist subject would be work-related stress and psychosocial riskWhat BSI does and why standards matter for businessThe difference between ISO 45001 and ISO 45003Why ISO 45001 is being reviewed and updatedWhy psychosocial risk is expected to become more explicit in health and safety managementWhy AI and technology need to be treated as change management issuesHow ISO 45003 can help organisations prepare for ISO 45001 changesMenopause action plans, inclusive PPE and workplace suicide prevention🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Kate Field: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katefieldbt/BSI: Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bsi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritishStandardsInstitutionX: https://twitter.com/intent/follow?source=followbutton&variant=1.0&screen_name=bsi_ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bsiYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BritishStandardsInstitutionGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    Psychosocial Risk and the Future of ISO 45001

  4. Aug 27

    500 Miles Later: The Human Cost of Not Talking

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong welcomes back the podcast’s first returning guest, Chris Rodgers, for a powerful and honest conversation about mental health, construction and what he learned from running 500 miles across the UK in 2025. Chris reflects on the challenge he undertook to raise awareness of mental health in construction, running a half marathon every week for 36 weeks while wearing construction PPE and carrying a flag. The challenge raised around £13,000 for Mates in Mind, but as Chris explains, the real impact came through the conversations it created. Jennie and Chris discuss the gaps that remain, from low mental health education and stigma to the way support is often treated as a bolt-on within workplaces. They also explore the pressure on day-rate workers, the limits of relying on charities and the need for more practical, accessible support that reaches people where they already are. What we cover: Why Chris took on a 500-mile challenge for mental health in constructionWhat he learned from running across the UK in construction PPEWhy conversations often happen when people feel someone is safe to approachThe mental health support gaps Chris saw during the challengeChris’s reflections on grief, suicide and the impact on familiesWhy people need to know what they would do if someone close to them needed supportChris’s early plans for a new charity focused on accessible support and educationThis episode includes discussion of suicide, grief and mental health struggles. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Chris Rodgers: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-rodgers-a38773154/VVB Engineering: Website: https://vvb-eng.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VVBGroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vvb-engineering/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    500 Miles Later: The Human Cost of Not Talking

  5. Aug 13

    What the Joint Code of Practice Means for Construction

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by co-host Stuart Mace for a timely conversation about the Construction Leadership Council’s Joint Code of Practice on Mental Health. The Joint Code of Practice has been described by Stuart as “letting the genie out of the bottle” because it puts into public view what many in construction already know. Poor mental health in the industry is not just an individual issue. It is also linked to the way work is planned, procured, managed and delivered. Jennie and Stuart discuss why the code matters, what it says about psychosocial risk management, and why prevention needs to become part of the construction health and safety conversation. They also reflect on recent feedback from the Construction Health and Wellbeing network and a supply chain event, where awareness of the code varied significantly. This is a practical conversation about moving beyond awareness and starting to evidence action. What we cover What the Construction Leadership Council Joint Code of Practice isWhy the code matters for mental health in constructionThe five hazard clusters identified in the documentWhy psychosocial risk should be treated like physical riskHow ISO 45001, ISO 45003 and the code may connectWhy case studies, shared learning and evidence will matterHow future generations may change expectations of workThe code may not be legislation, but it is likely to shape expectations across the industry. The question now is not just who knows about it, but who is ready to act on it. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  Joint Code of Practice: https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CLC-Mental-Health-Code-of-Practice-V1.pdf 🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    What the Joint Code of Practice Means for Construction

  6. Jul 29

    How Construction Can Make Peer Support Safer

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Stuart Mace is joined by Paul McGregor, founder and CEO of Everymind at Work, for a conversation about mental health first aid, peer support and what organisations need to do once awareness has been raised. Paul explains why many businesses, including those in construction, have trained large numbers of mental health first aiders but still lack the structure, data and support needed to make those networks safe and effective. The conversation explores the difference between mental health training in society and mental health first aid as a workplace role. Stuart and Paul discuss the foreseeable risks faced by mental health first aiders, the importance of duty of care, and why supporters themselves need proper guidance, debriefing and ongoing development. For construction, this episode is especially relevant. It asks what comes after awareness, why “more” is not always better, and how organisations can move towards quality, visibility and accountability in their mental health support. What we cover: Why mental health first aiders need support tooThe difference between awareness and capabilityWhy workplace peer support needs structureHow data can help organisations understand what is really happeningThe risks of unsupported mental health first aid networksWhy work-related issues are showing up in mental health conversationsThe role of HR, health and safety, and occupational health🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Paul McGregor: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmcgregorcom/Everymind at Work: Website: https://everymindatwork.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everymindatwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everymindatwork/X: https://twitter.com/everymindatworkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/everymindatwork/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm2D3TwiJAadtG_2X1BZwDwGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    How Construction Can Make Peer Support Safer

  7. Jul 15

    Leading Well: Why Construction Needs Resilient Leaders

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Stuart Mace is joined by Anwen Cooper, co-founder and Mission Director at Thrivall, for a conversation about leadership, resilience and what workplace wellbeing needs to become if it is going to make a real difference. Anwen shares the thinking behind Thrivall’s work with leaders, including how proactive support, counselling-informed coaching and sustained development can help people build mental fitness before crisis hits. The conversation also explores why construction is showing growing interest in this type of approach, particularly as the industry looks to attract future talent, retain good people and respond more seriously to the mental health challenges facing its workforce. Anwen also talks about her own commitment to “walking the walk”, including her cycling challenge across the south of England to visit B Corp businesses and reach Anthropy at the Eden Project. For her, the ride was about resilience, active travel, sustainable business and embodying the values she encourages other leaders to live by. What we cover Why Thrivall is attracting interest from construction and other people-focused businesses.How proactive counselling-informed coaching can support leaders before crisis point.The role of the Keep Britain Working review and the Vanguard programme.Why future-focused businesses need to invest in the people who will shape their organisation over the next 10 to 15 years.How personal resilience, leadership and values connect in Anwen’s B Corp cycling challenge.If you are interested in workplace wellbeing, leadership development, mental fitness, construction culture or the future of work, this episode is well worth listening to or watching in full. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Anwen Cooper: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwencooper/Thrivall: Website: https://www.Thrivall.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Thrivall/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thrivall160GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    Leading Well: Why Construction Needs Resilient Leaders

  8. Jun 26

    Turning Standards into Culture: The Balfour Beatty Story with Natalie Harvey

    What does it take to turn psychological health from a wellbeing initiative into a business-wide operating framework? In this episode of Build and Thrive, Stuart Mace is joined by Natalie Harvey, Health Specialist at Balfour Beatty, to explore the organisation's journey to achieving and embedding ISO 45003 - the world's first international standard for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace. Natalie shares how Balfour Beatty approached ISO 45003 not as a compliance exercise or badge of honour, but as an opportunity to create consistency across hundreds of projects, thousands of employees, and countless teams working in different environments across the UK. Together, they discuss what psychosocial risk really means in construction, why language matters, and how organisations can move beyond reactive wellbeing initiatives to proactively identify and manage the factors that influence psychological health. Key topics include: ISO 45003 and managing psychosocial risk in constructionCreating consistency across large and complex organisationsEmbedding wellbeing into project planning and mobilisationLeadership's role in psychological health and safetyMoving beyond awareness campaigns towards preventionPractical lessons from implementing a global wellbeing standardWhy meaningful conversations matter on every construction siteListen now and discover how psychological health can become part of everyday project delivery. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Natalie Harvey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-harvey-34bb6368/Balfour Beatty: Website: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balfourbeattyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/balfourbeattyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/balfour-beatty-plc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BalfourBeattyPlcX: https://twitter.com/balfourbeattyGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    Turning Standards into Culture: The Balfour Beatty Story with Natalie Harvey
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About

Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce. Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents? It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction. Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennie Armstrong
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Build & Thrive
  • Show Website
    Build & Thrive