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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
Addiction in Construction: Moving from Testing to Prevention with John Fenna and Nick McMurray
In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong brings together two specialists tackling addiction through different lenses: Nick McMurray (Positive Matters) on drugs and alcohol, and John Fenna (Bet Know More UK) on gambling harms. We explore why “zero tolerance” alone doesn’t change behaviour, how addiction intersects with mental health and money stress, and what a practical, prevention-led approach looks like on real construction sites.
You’ll hear lived-experience insight, the realities behind “present but not present” at work, and the steps supervisors and leaders can take to move from tick-boxes to tools that actually help people and protect projects.
What we cover
- Why testing and sackings aren’t a strategy and what works instead
- The link between substance use, gambling, mental health and suicide risk
- Younger workforce trends (e.g. cannabis, cocaine, ketamine) and tailored messaging
- The “three A’s” for organisations: Awareness, Acceptance, Action
- Practical moves: policy with compassion, manager confidence, meaningful signposting
Nick and John share evidence, insight, and compassion - showing how construction can move from tick-box policies to meaningful action that saves lives and strengthens workplaces.
🎧 If you want to understand the real story behind addiction in construction and what your organisation can do about it - this episode is essential listening.
📺 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/
John Fenna:
- Website: https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betknowmore-uk/ │ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfenna/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betknowmoreuk/
Nick McMurray
- Website: https://positivematters.co.uk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positive-matters-ltd-uk/ │ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mcmurray-06b14628/
GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/
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