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
Take A Leak: Fixing Welfare for Construction Mobile Workers with Stu Drinkwater and Andrea White
In this eye-opening episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Stu Drinkwater, co-founder of TAL (Take A Leak), and Andrea White, Managing Director at A W Fire Ltd, fire engineer and passionate advocate for better welfare in construction.
We talk about toilets but this is far more than that!
For years, mobile construction workers have normalised dehydration, discomfort, and unsafe workarounds simply because adequate welfare isn’t available between sites. From rationing water to eating lunch on stairwells, the stories shared are both familiar and unacceptable.
Stu explains how Take A Leak was founded after he and co-founder Nathan realised just how widespread this issue is and how a simple, scalable solution could transform workers’ health, dignity and productivity. Through TAL’s growing network of host venues, mobile workers can access clean toilets, hot water, seating and microwaves within minutes, at no personal cost.
Andrea brings a powerful perspective as both an industry professional and someone who has lived the problem first-hand. She highlights how welfare is not just a compliance issue, but a barrier to inclusion, retention and safety - particularly for women in construction.
Together, we explore:
- Why welfare is the foundation for wellbeing, safety and performance
- The hidden health impacts of dehydration and restricted toilet access
- The “unspoken culture” that prevents workers from raising welfare concerns
- How TAL works, and why employers and venues are rapidly getting on board
- Why fixing welfare is a strategic opportunity for recruitment and retention
- How leaders can take action now and why they must
This episode shines a light on a problem hidden in plain sight across the industry and offers practical, immediate solutions.
If you care about people, productivity, or the future of construction, you’ll want to hear this.
🎧 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/
TAL - Take A Leak:
- Website: https://talservices.co.uk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tal-services-uk/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tal_services
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575799996641
A W Fire Ltd:
- Website: https://awfire.co.uk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/awfire/
Stu Drinkwater:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdrinkwater/
Andrea White:
GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/