Members of the Charted Institute of Building are set to be offered a new service focusing on support for those living with anxiety, stress or anxiety-based depression.

The CIOB's Benevolent Fund is partnering with Anxiety UK on the service, which will see additional services offered focused on an individual's need for wellbeing and mental health support.

Anxiety UK, formed in 1970, works to support those living with anxiety disorders, stress and anxiety-based depression. The charity provides information and support via a range of services. These include psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling and clinical hypnotherapy, delivered via the charity's national network of Approved Therapists. Email, text and instant messaging support is also available, along with helpline services and information resources, including Anxious Times, their quarterly magazine.


The plan to deliver a service supporting CIOB members will see Anxiety UK provide person-centred, holistic wellbeing assessments, leading to a personalised treatment plan which can include accessing the charity's psychological therapy services.

Caroline Gumble, CEO of the CIOB, and a Benevolent Fund trustee, said: "The Fund's trustees have welcomed the opportunity to reach out and offer members this important new service. Talking about mental health and wellbeing is sometimes seen as taboo and is, in fact, a big issue in the construction sector. I am so pleased that we're able to provide this additional support. As CEO of the CIOB, I'm also happy to confirm that we’re offering it to all our staff."

Nicky Lidbetter, CEO of Anxiety UK, added: "As Anxiety UK enters its 50th year of operation, we are delighted to be working in partnership with the CIOB to support those working in the construction industry affected by anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression."

(CM/MH)