Our Cyber Weekend Charity Pledge
The mental health crisis within the trade industry continues to be a growing concern, impacting workers of all ages and levels of experience. That’s why, for the fourth consecutive year, Tikkurila UK is proud to support Mind via Work for Good during Cyber Weekend 2024. For every sale made during this period, we will donate £1 to Mind, a charity that provides crucial mental health support services.
The statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges faced by tradespeople:
• 4 in 5 UK tradespeople (82%) report experiencing work-related mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
• Alarmingly, for painters and decorators, 72% of professionals report mental health issues related to their work, a rise from 40% in 2021.
Why Tradespeople Are at Risk
Mental health issues in the trade industry often stem from a combination of factors unique to the profession, including:
• Working solo or long hours in high-pressure environments.
• Physical demands of the role, coupled with poor work-life balance and lack of recognition.
• Escalating tensions with customers or suppliers.
This year, financial stress emerged as the most concerning issue, with 34% citing the cost of living and job uncertainty as key contributors to their mental health challenges.
Why We Support Mind
Mind plays a vital role in helping individuals access the support they need. From their helplines and legal services to peer support communities like Side by Side, Mind provides a lifeline for anyone struggling with mental health.
Ian O’Reilly, Head of Community & Events Fundraising at Mind, highlights the importance of initiatives like ours:
"We are really grateful to Tikkurila UK for choosing to support Mind through the sales that they generate from their website, and we wish them the best of luck with their campaign. It’s a difficult time, with many of us now feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our mental health and wellbeing, especially those of us with existing mental health problems. Every donation that Mind receives allows us to campaign to improve services and provide information and support so we can be there for as many people who need us as possible.”
Expanding Our Support in 2024
One of the most alarming findings this year is that:
• 93% of Gen Z tradespeople (ages 18–24) and 91% of Millennials (ages 25–34) report facing mental health challenges, making younger workers particularly vulnerable.
Younger workers entering the trade face additional pressures, such as navigating apprenticeships, managing workloads, and adapting to the challenges of an evolving industry. These stressors, compounded by the stigma surrounding mental health, often leave individuals feeling isolated and unsure where to turn for support.
And so this year, we’re also supporting a new initiative to us for the first time; Tiny Changes, a Scotland-based charity focused on innovative youth mental health projects. In addition to our £1 pledge per transaction during Cyber Weekend to Mind, we’re making a one-off donation to Tiny Changes to help address the growing mental health challenges faced by under-30s.
Cat James, Commercial and Digital Director at Tikkurila UK, comments on the importance of supporting young tradespeople:
"As a Scottish business, we recognise the importance of fostering mental wellbeing in our local communities, particularly for young people starting their careers in industries like ours. Gen Z and Millennials represent the future of painting and decorating, and supporting emerging talent means equipping them with the resources and awareness needed to overcome these challenges."
By supporting both Mind and Tiny Changes, we’re committed to creating meaningful change within the trade sector, ensuring that individuals at every stage of their careers have access to the support they need to thrive.
How You Can Help
This Cyber Weekend, every purchase you make will contribute to this vital cause. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of tradespeople across the UK, raising awareness of the importance of mental health and supporting the incredible work of these charities.
Terms and Conditions
£1 of every sale generated over Cyber Weekend (Friday 24th November - Monday 27th November 2024 inclusive) is being donated to Mind via Work for Good.
To view our donation and follow other charitable ventures with Work for Good, please visit our profile here.
For full Terms & Conditions on charitable donations made via Work for Good, please visit their website.