ABOUT US
We are a group of 4 passionate individuals who came together to make a real difference to how we talk about and deal with mental health in the construction industry.
We want to provide a candid platform to share our own stories, listen to others, and create a movement for change around mental health.
Here is a bit about each of us...
LUCY HOWARD
Lucy Howard is a Civil Engineer and UK Head of Transport for Turner & Townsend.
Having judged the WICE Awards “Best Young Woman Engineer” category in 2019 I noticed a theme of advocating for Mental Health coming through from the shortlisted applicants. Having suffered an acute psychotic breakdown myself at the age of 30 and witnessing how the industry can affect people’s mental health, I decided to set up a working group to explore the idea further through the Constructing Mindsets series. I am passionate about encouraging modern leaders to share their direct experiences for the benefit of our teams; breaking down old stereotypes of us being immune to failure.
HANNAH SCHAAPKENS
Hannah Schaapkens is a Senior Electrical Engineer at Hurley Palmer Flatt, working within the Data Centre team. Previously she worked in Energy and Chemicals for Fluor for 5.5 years. On top of her role on projects, she is has been an innovation ambassador for Fluor, regularly supports charity work and STEM outreach programs whilst maintaining a role in growing representation and opportunities for women within engineering.
Having suffered personal trauma and her own mental health diagnosis, Hannah now blogs about mental health and works with local communities to help remove the stigma and provide support and guidance for people who need it most. You can find at more at engineeryourmind.com.
She discussed this work during her WICE presentation as a finalist for the “Best Young Woman Engineer” and therefore was a natural candidate for joining the Constructing Mindsets team.
Photo credit: Paul Grace
LOUISE HETHERINGTON
Louise Hetherington is a Structural Engineer at Atkins, working with buildings across the heritage, industrial and education sectors.
As well as her day job, Louise volunteers as a Mental Health First Aider, Diversity and Inclusion champion, STEM Ambassador and co-chairs the Atkins Disability Network.
Louise joined the Constructing Mindsets team having won the “Best Young Woman Engineer” category at the WICE Awards 2019.
Photo credit: Paul Grace
HANNAH GREALISH
Hannah Grealish is a Senior Consultant at Turner and Townsend, working on the set-up and transformation of major capital projects within the real estate and infrastructure industries. Outside of project work, Hannah is passionate about how the built environment impacts upon physical and mental wellbeing, having recently completed her Masters dissertation on this subject and has recorded mental health podcasts alongside Mind. Hannah would like to see mental health and wellbeing put at the top of companies’ agendas in the construction industry, to address productivity and enjoyment in the workplace head-on. Hannah joined the Constructing Mindsets podcast due to her experience with recording these sessions and her on going passion for promoting positive mental health.
