Construction workers on Costain‘s Gallows Corner Flyover project have been testing their resilience, one block at a time, during a recent mental health and wellbeing session on site.
Delivered by mental health consultant Ghitta Basson, the workshop aims to get participants to reflect on their personal resilience and understand what coping strategies or support are needed when challenges arise.
During the workshop, groups of five to 10 people were tasked with using wooden blocks to build a structure that represents their current mental health.
‘Stress cards’ are then introduced to reflect potential life challenges – for example, financial stress (remove blocks from one side), divorce (remove five blocks) or fatigue (remove blocks with eyes closed).
Basson, founder of Rewind Your Mind, said sometimes the structures are resilient, but sometimes they collapse.
“I also shake tables slightly to show how unexpected events can topple us if we’re not prepared,” she added.
Coloured blocks were introduced to represent different coping strategies, which include recharging and micro-breaks, leaning on friends, using humour, prioritising rest, and focusing on what you can control.
The teams were then asked to strengthen their structures to see the visual impact of their resilience.
Each workshop is typically 30 minutes and delivered during morning briefings on site.
Discussing the initial concept for the workshops, Basson told CM People: “I wanted to design something construction workers could instantly relate to.
“They build on site every day, and they know the importance of solid foundations, scaffolding and flexible structures that can withstand storms without collapsing.
“That’s exactly how mental health works. Without coping strategies, support and social connection, we can just as easily collapse, whether through burnout, breakdown or serious illness.”
Basson explained that the sessions first came to life during a Tideway stand-down day in 2024, where “one of the guys even made me giant Jenga-style blocks”.
“I wanted something hands-on, because when you do something, you remember it more than when you just sit and listen.”
