Housebuilder partners with charity that’s dedicated to the prevention of young suicide

- 08 Mar 22

A national housebuilder has announced its partnership with a suicide prevention charity to support it in its aim to keep its helpline open for 24 hours a day. Staff at Vistry Group – which builds Bovis Homes and Linden Homes properties and includes Vistry Partnerships – has voted PAPYRUS as its charity for 2022 and will be fundraising throughout the year for the cause. PAPYRUS is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and aims to not only support young people struggling, but to also raise awareness and shatter the stigma around suicide. One of the key ways it supports young people is through its helpline, HOPELINEUK, which provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and anyone worried about a young person. In recent years, demand for the helpline, which is currently open from 9am until midnight, has dramatically increased and the charity is hoping to open it all hours of the day. Keith Carnegie, CEO of Vistry Housebuilding said: “We’re delighted to be supporting PAPYRUS and are going to do as much as we can in to enable this essential support line to go 24/7 – which we know will save more lives. Colleagues across the company are brimming with ideas and have already started fundraising with raffles, cake sales and show home furniture auctions and there are plans afoot for individual and team challenges. “Suicide is more than three times the national average for men within the construction industry and sadly, it’s something that hasn’t escaped Vistry, making this partnership all the more powerful. Over the year, it’s important to us that we also support PAPYRUS’ aim in raising awareness and equip our people with knowledge and suicide prevention skills.” Ged Flynn, CEO PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, said: “PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is delighted to be working in partnership with Vistry Group to support young people who are struggling with life. “Every day our HOPELINEUK service receives calls, texts and emails from young people who are having thoughts of suicide. “We know this partnership with Vistry Group will help to raise awareness and save lives. “For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 0684141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.” In recent years, Vistry has raised its mental health agenda by creating a mental health committee, training over 120 staff to become Mental Health First Aiders and continuing to remind staff of the support available. Keith added: “Looking after our mental health has never been more important and our mental health committee is continuing to push new initiatives and raise awareness of its importance. Activities such as Time to Talk sessions, which give colleagues the chance to open up and talk to one another around a particular subject, have been very successful and we continue to highlight tips, support services and provide information to help colleagues across the company.” In 2021, the housebuilder raised more than £200,000 for the charity Mind, with staff taking on challenges including skydives, marathons and Tough Mudders. The company joined together during Mental Health Awareness Week for the One Vis-Tri, which saw staff run, walk, swim or cycle to raise funds and awareness for Mind.