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Build & Thrive
Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce.
Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents?
It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction.
Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.
Build & Thrive
Neurodiversity in Construction: Breaking Barriers with Jacqui Wallis
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Jacqui Wallis, CEO of Genius Within, to explore a topic many in the construction industry are only just beginning to understand: neurodiversity at work.
With over 25 years of experience and her own lived perspective as a neurodivergent leader, Jacqui brings insight, empathy, and practical solutions to a conversation that’s long overdue. Together, Jennie and Jacqui unpack what neurodiversity really means - covering both lifelong and acquired cognitive differences - and how these impact productivity, communication, safety, and wellbeing in high-pressure, fast-paced environments like construction.
You’ll learn:
- What neurodiversity is (and isn’t)
- Why construction may have a higher prevalence of neurodivergent workers
- What the latest CITB-backed research says about prevalence and disclosure
- How workplace design, communication style, and onboarding practices affect performance
- Simple, no-cost strategies to better support your people
- Why awareness is no longer enough - and where to go for free training and tools
Jacqui also shares a powerful case study from a suicide prevention charity, offering a sobering reminder of the real human cost when mental health and cognitive health are overlooked.
🎧 If you’re ready to build a more inclusive, productive, and resilient workforce - this episode is essential listening.
🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)
📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B
🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.
Episode Links:
Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/
Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/
Jacqui Wallis:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiwallis/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/genius-within-cic/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacswol/
- Website: https://geniuswithin.org/
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/GeniusWithinCIC
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@geniuswithincic
- Genius Finder: Welcome | Genius Finder
GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/
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