Last week, SDC’s F1 Simulator made a high-speed impact as it toured several of our project sites. The projects included  2000 Discovery Drive, St Edmund Hall, Babraham Research Campus, and Merlin Place: all in support of raising awareness and vital funds for mental health within the construction industry.

This initiative, led by our Mental Health and Diversity Manager, Jacquie Silverton, raised money for Mates in Mind, a leading UK Charity dedicated to tackling the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace.

 “Although mental ill-health is a pervasive challenge across all UK workplaces, its negative impacts within the construction industry have become undeniable.” – Mates in Mind

In 2020, a CIOB report found that 97% of construction workers had felt stressed, 87% had experienced anxiety and 70% had experienced depression over the past year. The tour was therefore part of SDC’s ongoing commitment to prioritising mental wellbeing alongside physical safety across our projects.

The F1 Simulator provides a unique opportunity for staff to experience the thrill of racing an F1 car, encouraging friendly competition and drawing crowds of colleagues eager to beat the track time leaderboard. More than just entertainment, the tour served as a vehicle to encourage open discussions about mental health.
In addition to the simulator, fundraising was boosted by a charitable BBQ from the St Edmund Hall site team, while at Merlin Place a pizza van helped to fuel both the crowd and the cause.

Through efforts like these, SDC continues to empower our Mental Health Champions, and raise awareness on-site, encouraging teams to speak openly, and access support through our mental health first aiders, charity websites, and in-house initiatives,