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Socks for Samaritans

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 30 May 2023

As a subcontractor to CALA Homes, ASH Drywall were happy to be approached by a group of recent Cala graduates seeking support for their ‘Socks for Samaritans’ project, aiming to both raise money for Samaritans and also awareness of the vital work they carry out.

Samaritans is a charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide.  Given that suicide rates amongst men who work in construction are three times higher than the national average, ASH Drywall agreed to help.

Socks for Samaritans is a charity sock drive that distributes funky socks amongst site teams to create a sense of togetherness and belonging, easing any feelings of loneliness and encourage positive discussions around mental health.   

ASH Drywall have sponsored sock boxes that were distributed to the Lancing construction team in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month with all profits and additional donations from the initiative going directly to the Samaritans.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 19 May 2023

Anxiety is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week

Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. But anxiety can be made easier to manage.

Focusing on anxiety for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week will increase people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. At the same time, we will keep up the pressure to demand change - making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government and society as a whole.

In recognition of the importance of mental health when it comes to productivity and safety in construction, ASH Drywall have arranged a number of Mental Health Awareness presentations to site teams for Mental Health Awareness Week. The aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues (and particularly breaking down stigma), focussing on the lack of support for construction workers, who are often self-employed and/or without a traditional workplace “EAP”.

ASH Drywall are also promoting awareness of the Construction Industry Helpline, a free and confidential resource available to anyone working in construction and their families (Callers from the UK dial 0345 605 19656 or text HARDHAT to 85258).

Sean Ash, Legal Director at Ash Drywall, commented that:

“Remember, it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help when we’re struggling. The truth is, it takes a stronger person to have the courage to speak out and seek support, where needed.”

Below are a few images taken during the presentation sessions held onsite.

Mental Health Workshop at Berkeley, Southwater

Mental Health Workshop at Osborne, Pelham Street, Brighton

Mental Health Workshop at Pelham Street, Brighton

Mental Health Workshop at Berkeley, Horsham

Sean talks about progress in the Plastic Revolution

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 21 July 2022

It is nearly a year since ASH Drywall signed up to the Thakeham Plastic Pledge, committing the company to using plastics more responsibly as a business.

For more information about this crucial project, click here.

As the project progresses and matures we'll keep you updated with the steps we make here on the ASH Drywall website and via social media, so make sure you follow us on Linkedin.

Continued Membership of FIS

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 25 January 2022

Following renewal for 2022, ASH Drywall are delighted to confirm ongoing membership of FIS, the trade body of the £10 billion fit-out, finishes and interiors sector.

FIS represents specialists in all aspects of the interior fit-out and finishes sector and as a vertically integrated organisation, FIS is a perfect fit for ASH Drywall, supporting best practice knowledge exchange, and helping our ongoing efforts for technical competence. FIS are there to help support quality through the FIS Product Process People Quality Framework.

FIS is a not for profit community that has been built around a strict code of conduct that ASH Drywall are pleased to exceed. All members, irrespective of length of membership are subjected to regular ongoing vetting.

We are proud to be members of this dynamic and proactive community that is focussed on delivering a better construction experience for all involved.

www.thefis.org

ASH Drywall has embarked on a Plastic Revolution!

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 20 December 2021

ASH Drywall is committing to more responsible use of plastics With the support of ASH Drywall, Thakeham and their supply chain have committed to responsible use of plastics. For more information about this crucial project, click here.

Dear All,

Alongside other local suppliers, and community creator, Thakeham, ASH Drywall has signed up to the Thakeham Plastic Pledge.

This means, going forwards, we’ve committed to using plastics more responsibly as a business. In a time where this topic is especially prevalent, I’m personally proud that the company has made this pledge. More importantly, I’m delighted to announce that the first workshop was completed this week, marking the beginning of our plastics journey with Thakeham.

This project started with Thakeham producing a Plastic Action Plan report, in partnership with Biffa and Planet Mark. They spent three months collecting data on Thakeham’s flagship development in Woodgate, Pease Pottage, West Sussex and the outcome was a detailed analysis of the use of plastics on the site, which was then complied into a report.

As we fast forward to today, Thakeham recognised that they would not be able to make any impactful change on their own, so they reached out to us (as part of their supply chain) to help them make a greater difference. It is clear that we all have a part to play in changing the way the industry behaves.

As the project progresses and matures I’ll keep you updated with the steps we make here on the ASH Drywall website and I’ll also be sharing our involvement in this crucial project via social media, so make sure you follow us on Linkedin.

Sean Ash
Legal Director,
Ash Drywall

Building a new vision for Seeley Copse, Goodwood

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 09 November 2021

Knauf Drywall Airless 001 The new centre will offer increased capacity and longer opening hours, providing young people with plentiful opportunities to learn about the ecology around them.Ash Drywall are delighted to have supported the Thakeham Group in their development of a new learning space at Seeley Copse, Goodwood on behalf of the Goodwood Education Trust.

Over the past 40 years, tens of thousands of children have visited Goodwood to learn about the countryside and where their food comes from. Seeley Copse is an extremely valuable facility, providing experiences to youngsters who wouldn’t have visited the countryside otherwise. However, when the aged facilities became too small to meet local demand, the Thakeham Group took the lead in supporting The Goodwood Education Trust to create a new shared vision for the facility. ASH Drywall are proud to count themselves amongst the organisations that joined with the Thakeham Group in this noteworthy endeavour.

Sean Ash, Legal Director at Ash Drywall, commented that;

““In light of the inevitable changes society faces in building a more environmentally sustainable future, it is perhaps more important than ever to educate future generations about the natural world and our social obligation to live in harmony with it. Our hope is that this new facility at Seeley Copse will allow the Goodwood Education Trust to do exactly that, for many years to come.”

The combined effort and support that the project received from over 35 local partners and contractors, alongside the Thakeham Group has valued the environmental hub at over £500,000. Thanks to the community effort, over 3,000 children and young people will be able to use the facilities every year.

The ecological hub has been acknowledged as Highly Commended in the 2021 South Downs Design Awards.

ASH Cup 2021

: Posted by ASH Drywall; on 07 October 2021

ASH Cup 2021 - Competitors Joe Wallace holds the ASH Cup with fellow golfers at the 19th hole.The Ash Cup is an internal golf tournament held annually by Ash Drywall.

Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as nearest to the pin, longest drive and the dreaded “wooden spoon” for last place.

After a hard year working around the complications of Covid-19, we were pleased to get out into the fresh air on Friday 1st October and compete for the 2021 Ash Cup, at Mid Sussex Golf Club, Ditchling.

Congratulations to Joe Wallace for winning this illustrious trophy and thanks to everyone who took part. Hope you all had a good day out.

The final results are:

1st - Joe Wallace
2nd - Paul Sumpter
3rd - Steve Copper
Longest Drive - Paul Sumpter
Nearest to Pin - Sam Greenaway
Wooden Spoon - John Abnett