Staff at DIY tradespeople’s platform Checkatrade are to receive training to support the mental health needs of customers.

The training will be provided by its charity of the year, Lighthouse, which supports construction industry workers.

The training will help ensure the platform’s frontline staff, who speak daily with tradespeople, “are equipped with the skills and confidence to identify when someone is in distress, offer immediate support, and signpost to specialist help where needed”.

Checkatrade chief executive Jambu Palaniappan said: “The tradespeople we serve are the backbone of our communities, but they’re not immune to the pressures of modern life.

“By equipping our staff with the tools to recognise and respond to mental health challenges, we’re investing not just in skills, but in care and compassion for our community of tradespeople.”

He is also calling on other trade sector employers to prioritise mental health training for their customer service staff.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Checkatrade to ensure the message of support reaches our frontline trades,” said Lighthouse chief executive Sarah Bolton.

“We want to encourage open conversations to help reduce the stigma around mental wellbeing and initiatives such as this are critical in ensuring that everyone in our industry feels supported.”

---