The Lighthouse Charity has launched an urgent £200,000 appeal as demand for its financial, emotional and physical wellbeing services reaches record levels.
The charity, which has supported the construction community for 70 years, said the number of families seeking help has risen by 51% so far this year.
Demand for emergency food deliveries has increased by 65%, while the charity has funded more than 7,000 counselling sessions for people struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
In the first seven months of the year, the Lighthouse Charity supported more than 6,000 families and delivered over 8,000 meals.
The charity is now appealing to the construction industry to help raise an additional £200,000 by Christmas to ensure it can continue meeting the growing need for support.
Sarah Bolton, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, said: “The demand for all areas of support continues to grow. Our 24/7 helpline and one-to-one online chat service provides a beacon of hope for those who have nowhere else to turn and, so far, we have been able to respond to this unprecedented demand.
“Every day our team are hearing first-hand about the incredible pressures people are under – workers who are unable to cover the cost of even basic necessities and travel costs, and people who are trying to cope with caring for sick children and relatives.”
The charity said construction workers and their families are facing increasing pressure from rising costs of housing, fuel, food and energy, alongside the challenges of long working hours, time away from home and difficult working environments.
Full-time and struggling
Bolton added that the charity was increasingly hearing from people in full-time employment who were nevertheless struggling to afford food for their families.
“These food shops aren’t just for people unable to work through illness or injury,” she said. “We’re receiving calls from people who are in full-time work but still can’t afford to feed their family, as well as paying for increased fuel, housing and energy costs.
“We’re also having to step in and fill the gap that’s being left by statutory rights and provisions to help people get through the week. Our workforce simply can’t absorb the additional costs and they need immediate help.
“It’s a perfect storm and we need to act now. We need the support of the industry to ensure that we can continue to deliver our vital services.”
The charity is urging construction companies and individuals to support its Winter Appeal.
“We need to raise £200,000 by Christmas and we’re urging our industry leaders to join together in a unified force to support our community,” Bolton said.
“This is an urgent appeal from the heart for donations that will help us deliver a life-changing and life-saving difference to someone today.”
Individuals and organisations can donate through the Lighthouse Charity’s Winter Appeal.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the Lighthouse Charity provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day.
UK helpline: 0345 605 1956
Republic of Ireland helpline: 1800 939 122
One-to-one online chat is also available via the Lighthouse Charity website and app.
