Samaritans are a charity close to the hearts of many as they call for better mental and emotional health support. Sadly, men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women, and data shows that the risk of suicide is significantly higher for men who work in the construction sector than the national UK average. Our fundraising and corporate donations allow us to support the charity’s vital work across the UK, while strengthening employee and subcontractor mental health and wellbeing.
Cala South Home Counties have so far raised over £26,000 for Samaritans through a variety of activities such as a 68km Dawn Walk, launching a story bench in the heart of Godalming, refurbishing two Samaritans branches and completing one of Surrey’s biggest walks - its three peaks challenge.
Raising £18k following 40 Mile trek across the South
Last July, South Home Counties raised more than £18,000 for Samaritans after completing an impressive 68km (42 miles) walk across the South of England. The 42-mile walk saw the team leave Cala’s Ockford Park development in Godalming in the early hours of the morning before reaching the finish line at our New Monks Park development in Lancing, West Sussex. The walk was done entirely in torrential rain and took a total of 15 hours later to complete.
Whilst the weather may not have been the best on the day Cala’s, Commercial Manager, Michael Harvey-Browne, was incredibly happy with the teams’ results saying, “The walk was incredibly tough but knowing how much money we’ve raised and for such a good cause makes it all worthwhile”.
Volunteers help renovate second Samaritans branch
March 2022 saw some of our site team and subcontractor partners, N Smith Electrical, AJM Carpentry and Permanex Security, revamp a second Samaritans’ branch by supporting the Horsham branch with a much needed and well-deserved upgrade, after also giving the Guildford branch a makeover last year.
Cala volunteers, David Ward, Nathan McMahon, Haydn Coombes and Daniel Pearson, helped redecorate the Horsham branch’s main office as well as install a new video entry system and brand-new door.
The revamp offered Samaritans a moral boost and ensured that visitors and those in need receive a warm welcome on arrival.
Team raises £8,282 in three peaks charity challenge
Challenging endurances continued for the team as they again risked bad weather while raising an impressive £8,282 throughout the month of June, taking on the three peaks challenge.
The team of thirteen spent two months training for the event, which consisted of a total ascent of 1,060 metres and total distance of 22 miles. The region gave everything they had to scale some of Surrey’s biggest and most challenging walks, including Hill, Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill, all in one day. Reflecting on the experience, Senior Surveyor, Daniel Pearson, recalled, the sharp incline of the second peak, Holmbury Hill, proving to be the most difficult however, “knowing how much money we’ve raised for Samaritans made it more than worth it.”
Samaritans volunteer designs bench for new Godalming greenspace
To mark the launch of our newly refurbed greenspace at Eashing Fields, we worked with local artist and Samaritans volunteer, Maithli, to design a beautifully crafted 'story bench'. The bench tells the story of the surrounding Surrey nature and wildlife present through changing seasons. Working alongside The Land Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust, the bench has been placed in a newlyrestored public space in Godalming, home to our Ockford Park development.
This suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG) was designed and built as part of Cala’s Section 106 planning agreement with Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council. Visitors to the Godalming space can now walk, relax and take a seat on the newly installed bench allowing them to unwind, reflect and converse. Alongside designing the bench, Maithli understands the role Samaritans play in offering those in need a place to turn. We hope, alongside Maithi’s passion to raise further awareness of the support available to those in need.
A cry for help
There is a mental health crisis in our industry and as a company we want to provide help and support in any way we can.
Samaritans has provided listening and emotional resilience training to equip our employees and subcontractors with the skills to take care of their own wellbeing, as well as being more aware of their co-workers’ mental wellbeing. The work of Samaritans volunteers remains vital, and we look forward to seeing new and innovative ways our teams continue to support the Samaritans.
Visit our Samaritans page to find out more about our partnership.
