At InstallerSHOW 2025, this topic takes centre stage at the NHIC Knowledge Hub Theatre, where a series of sessions will shine a spotlight on the people behind the projects—installers, contractors, apprentices, and professionals working in high-pressure environments across the UK. 

Mental Health in the Trades: Two Dedicated Sessions 

We will host two key sessions specifically focused on workforce wellbeing as part of our programs on Wednesday 25th June.  These include: 

✅ Mental Health on Site: Spotting the Signs & Supporting Your Team 

🗓️ Wednesday 25 June, from 11:30 AM
Experts from Band of Builders, Walking on Earth, and CORGI Services will provide practical strategies to help employers and team leaders recognise early signs of stress, open up supportive conversations, and promote mental resilience on site. 

✅ Workplace Safety for Home Installers: Mental Health Focus 

🗓️ Wednesday 25 June, from 3:00 PM
This session broadens the conversation around workplace safety—from scaffolding and demolition to the psychological pressures of long hours, tight margins, and increasing regulation. Contributors include RetrofitWorks, DGCOS, HICS & HIES, and leading mental health advocates. 

CORGI Services: Championing a Safer, More Supportive Industry 

Mental health and wellbeing has long been a shared mission for both CORGI Services and the NHIC. As a founding partner of the NHIC’s mental health awareness initiatives and an ongoing supporter of Band of Builders, CORGI continues to advocate for long-term culture change across the trades. 

In 2025, CORGI Services will deepen this commitment by: 

• Amplifying support resources on social media and through its network 

• Promoting safe working environments through its community of licensed businesses 

• Investing in education, awareness, and partnerships that prioritise installer wellbeing 

The Stats That Can’t Be Ignored 

• The suicide rate in construction workers is three times the national average 

• Over 60% of tradespeople report experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression due to work 

• Less than 30% say they’d feel comfortable talking to a colleague or employer about mental health 

These numbers are more than statistics—they represent people, families, and futures. That’s why the conversation at InstallerSHOW matters. 

A Holistic View of Safety 

As part of its 50th anniversary campaign, NHIC is reinforcing that safe homes begin with safe workers. From technical training to emotional wellbeing, our industry needs to treat workforce development as a whole-person priority. 

Join us at the NHIC Knowledge Hub Theatre to be part of this conversation—and help shape a more compassionate and resilient home improvement sector. 

📍 InstallerSHOW 2025 – NEC Birmingham, 24–26 June
🔗 Follow @TheNHIC and @CORGIServices for session updates, speaker highlights, and resources 

The post Tackling Installer Stress and Safety: Why Wellbeing Matters More Than Ever  appeared first on The NHIC.

With decades of experience in promoting higher standards and practices in the home improvement industry, the NHIC is committed to ensuring that the surge in building and renovation under the new pledge not only increases housing stock but also enhances the quality and sustainability of homes nationwide.

“Labour’s pledge to revitalise the construction and housing sectors aligns perfectly with our mission to improve living conditions and energy efficiency in UK homes,” said Anna Scothern, Chief Executive of the NHIC. “We are eager to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the new developments meet modern standards of sustainability and quality.”

The NHIC will lead efforts to support the government’s objectives by promoting best practices, advancing professional training, and ensuring that new and renovated homes are built to the highest standards.

For further information, please contact: annascothern@nhic.org.uk Website: https://nhic.org.uk

The post NHIC Supports Labour’s ‘Get Britain Building Again’ Pledge appeared first on The NHIC.

Property Preservation:

Regular maintenance and repairs are crucial for preserving the structural integrity and functionality of a property. Over time, homes can deteriorate due to natural wear and tear, weather conditions, or neglect. RMI helps prevent further damage and ensures that homes remain safe, habitable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Safety and Security:

RMI plays a significant role in maintaining the safety and security of homes. Repairing faulty electrical systems, addressing plumbing leaks, fixing damaged roofs, and reinforcing security measures are all part of RMI. By addressing these issues promptly, homeowners can minimise the risk of accidents, injuries, and intrusions.

Value Appreciation:

RMI can enhance the value of residential properties. By investing in well-planned and executed home improvements, such as kitchen or bathroom renovations, loft conversions, or energy-efficient upgrades, homeowners can significantly increase the value of their homes. These improvements can also make the property more attractive to potential buyers or tenants if they decide to sell or rent it in the future.

Energy Efficiency:

RMI can contribute to improving the energy efficiency of homes. By installing insulation, upgrading windows and doors, or implementing renewable energy solutions like solar panels, homeowners can reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and minimise their environmental impact. Energy-efficient homes are becoming increasingly desirable due to rising energy costs and environmental concerns.

Comfort and Liveability:

RMI activities can enhance the comfort and liveability of homes. Upgrading heating and cooling systems, improving ventilation, adding soundproofing measures, or creating outdoor living spaces can significantly improve the overall quality of living. RMI allows homeowners to tailor their homes to their specific needs and preferences, creating a more enjoyable living environment.

Compliance with Regulations:

Regular RMI is essential to ensure that residential properties meet legal and safety requirements. Building regulations and standards evolve, and homeowners have a responsibility to ensure their properties comply with these regulations. RMI helps address any issues or deficiencies and ensures that homes meet the necessary standards.

The post What is RMI (Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement) and why is it important? appeared first on The NHIC.

The presentation was made at the 20^th Electrical Industry Awards, an annual event that recognises and celebrates the directors, innovators and pioneers, who help the UK’s electrical industry to remain as a world-leader in its field.

Phil Buckle (see here on the left) received his award from one of the nation’s favourite electrical experts, Tony Cable of NICEIC. He said: “This is a fitting tribute to a man who has done so much to promote the importance of electrical safety in the UK over the last few years.

“Electrical safety affects us all – at work and at home – and Phil has been one of the UK’s leading advocates in raising awareness of this, for both the industry and consumers”.

Phil replied: “I am honoured to receive this award, which is particularly pleasing since it is given by my peers. I would like to accept it on behalf of the Charity (ESC) and my team, whose hard work has helped us achieve great strides during our relatively brief existence.

“We believe that consumer protection is best served by working with the industry and this award suggests the industry agrees! So, I would like to thank you for this honour, on behalf of myself and my team”.

More information: www.esc.org.uk/

The post Electrical industry’s major accolade presentation highlights consumer protection appeared first on The NHIC.

Poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water are the world’s key issues.

The humble toilet can be a stepping stone to a healthier life, greater dignity, freedom, equality between women, men, girls and boys, and a major catalyst to the development of communities and countries.

So what can you do about it? You can play your part and the very least you can do is support World Toilet Day on Monday 19 November – www.worldtoiletday.org

It’s now less than a fortnight away  – the same date every year – World Toilet Day aims to raise awareness of sanitation issues and highlight the plight of those 1-in-3 people – that’s 2.5 billion – who don’t have access to proper sanitation.

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association supports the aims and ideals of World Toilet Day. In its own way the BMA promotes the urgent need for us all – no matter where in live in the world – to use water efficiently, without waste, and as wisely as possible.

We need to ensure that this precious resource is treated with the respect it deserves for the benefit of our future generations.

Can you imagine not having a toilet? Can you imagine not having privacy when you need it most? Can you imagine having no access to clean water?

Probably not! So what can you do about it?

Well, the BMA is the trade association for bathroom manufacturers operating in the UK and is highlighting these important issues. It is the principal ‘Voice of the Bathroom Industry’ and acts as an information highway between industry, government and the consumer on issues that affect the bathroom business.

The BMA represents, through its technical, marketing and management committees, the interests of 55 major bathroom manufacturing groups and service providers with over 80 well-known brands in the market place. The manufacturing base directly employs 10,000+ people across 79 sites around the UK.

More information: info@bathroom-association.org.uk

The post If you’re sitting comfortably, we’ll get down to some toilet business? appeared first on The NHIC.

The first class installation of external insulation on private and social housing as well as other buildings, is set to benefit from an important new guideline that’s just been published.

It’s the Insulated Render and Cladding Association’s (INCA) UK Addendum to the EAE European Guideline for the Application of ETICS (external thermal insulation composite systems).

Unveiled in Strasbourg last week it’s the only comprehensive document of its kind and supplements the European Guideline with information specific to the UK market. It sets out installation best practice and compliance with quality and technical standards in the UK, such as those set by certification bodies the British Board of Agrément (BBA) and BRE (Building Research Establishment).

It also references criteria specified in the UK Building Regulations and health and safety and training requirements.

INCA is committed to improving quality standards in external wall insulation and the UK Addendum, compiled by the dedicated INCA technical committee, will contribute to the development of uniform technical and professional guidelines across the industry.

As the UK member of the European Association for External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (EAE), INCA represents the nation’s external wall insulation industry on a European level and promotes the use of certified ETICS/EWI across Europe.

INCA chairman Mike Threadgold, says: “The UK Addendum enables the industry to deliver the high quality projects that are essential to continued growth and development in order to meet government carbon reduction targets.

“We are delighted the document has been recognised by the EAE. It demonstrates that INCA and its members are at the forefront of technical excellence within the external wall insulation industry.”

Photo shows: external wall insulation and anti-crack render system by Renocon Ltd

More information: info@inca-ltd.org.uk

The post UK external wall insulation to benefit from new INCA technical committee guideline appeared first on The NHIC.

Green Deal ‘emerged’ modestly in early October but does not really get underway until January 2013! In the meantime, Mr Barker was able to report that its uptake in the social sector was ‘promising’ with around 60,000 housing association homes being appropriately renovated plus several thousand more were in the pipeline. In addition some 12 leading local authorities had also committed to undertaking home efficiency measures.

An optimistic Mr Barker suggested: “But you ain’t seen nothing yet”!

Yet it appears that the great majority of private homeowners remain unaware of Green Deal!

Mr Barker suggested, however, that it would ‘need thousands of renovated show homes’ to be available around our environment before householders saw the real advantage of home efficiency improvements. Because, without seeing the considerable advantages provided by Green Deal ‘they are not going to believe it!’

He also mentioned the £1000 cash-back that was available to householders who had had the energy-saving measures carried out.

He was particularly keen to make sure that all SMEs got a ‘fair deal’ in the whole Green Deal process and, indeed, a key priority was to ensure that smaller businesses ‘got a slice of the action!’

Mr Barker’s upbeat message was: “It’s exciting to see what’s happening, but really it’s only just the beginning.”

Among the organisations working closely with DECC is the Energy Saving Trust which has 34 experts fielding daily questions on Green Deal, mainly from the general public. It’s helpline is 0300 1223 1234.

More information: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

The post Barker’s ‘milestone’ month for the Green Deal initiative appeared first on The NHIC.

So there is a lot of moisture ‘sloshing’ around in our homes, which can lead to an unhealthy level of humidity in a household environment. This is according to research by the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU).

So the issue of drying domestic washing is a common problem in all housing types across private and social housing sectors, and is one which does not appear to be adequately tackled, even in exemplar new housing low energy projects.

Due to awareness of the energy consumption of tumble dryers, many residents are choosing to dry clothes passively within their home. The impact of this incurs not only a severe energy penalty via increased heating demand, but also a potential health risk due to the higher moisture levels.

High moisture is associated with dust mites and increased mould spore concentrations as well as generally poor indoor air quality.

Although there has been a large body of research relating damp housing to ill health, the MEARU study is the first to track the specific implications of passive indoor drying.

In terms of dust mite growth, known to be causal for asthma in sensitised individuals, passive indoor drying adds to the problem in already over-moist and poorly ventilated homes.

The heating season average of 87% drying passively indoors rises to 96% in spring.

The study also points out that fragrances in softeners are unregulated They can produce a hazardous carcinogenic – acetaldehyde.

The alternative of machine drying all clothes is estimated to have significantly greater primary energy impacts and carbon impacts compared with passive drying in a dedicated enclosed space.

Using tumble dryers, the average power use per person annually is three times greater than for washing machines. The energy consumption of washing machines varies by a factor of five and per cycle by a factor of over four. Which does not correspond well with respective high and low values measured in use.

Ironing is estimated to use some five times less power than washing machines but also adds moisture to indoor spaces.

Amongst many other things, the findings of the MEARU research suggest practical retrofit solutions, which can be applied to most existing house types, including, enhanced outdoor drying facilities.

More information: www.homelaundrystudy.net

Top  photos show how drying inside the bathroom can cause severe damp

The post Drying your vest and pants can cause health problems! appeared first on The NHIC.

The cost wasn’t only to make them easier and cheaper to heat, it also included major structural repairs to the concrete frame and the brick cladding, as well as internal and external decoration, plus the construction of 12 private penthouse flats. The latter will probably be a significant attraction for young professional?

Built in the late 1960s when high rise living was one important solution to our then drab housing and burgeoning population, the Edward Woods modern improvements are a fine example of what can be achieved for the comfort and lower running costs of those people who are happy to live above three-storeys.

They are a fine model of how high rise homes must continue as an important ingredient of UK housing strategy for many years to come in order to meet demographic demand.

The Edward Woods project is highlighted in a major London School of Economics study, headed up by Professor Ann Power. Partly key to the projects success and efficiency is retrofitting Rockwool insulation both internally and externally.

In the introduction to an outline report, Thomas Heldgard of Rockwool UK, says Edward Woods was ‘a useful model’ for a ‘new approach’. Refurbishment work had seen the blocks receive high-grade external wall, cavity wall and roof insulation. There are also coloured facades and integrated photovoltaic panels.

As Heldgard pointed out: “Tailored combination of measures should lead to more cheaper to run and comfortable homes for the residents.”

Apparently, Green Deal and other energy efficiency schemes has provided the funding and impetus for refurbishing tower blocks to boost energy efficiency. And the potential for these refurbishments to act as a tool for the regeneration of communities adds an additional element was helping to create a lasting legacy.

This is especially apposite as there are an estimated 3,500 residential towers similar to Edward Woods in the UK that can be retrofitted to a high standard to provide appropriate housing for many, many years to come.

More information: www.lse.ac.uk/

The post Edward Woods’s towers provide a positive way forward for high rise homes appeared first on The NHIC.

Howden’s chief executive, Ian Brander says: “The creation of this project will mean that a 5MW carbon capture demonstration plant capable of capturing up to 95% of carbon dioxide emissions designed, built and tested by 2016.

“The technology will be designed to be used on new-build combined cycle as Turbine (CCGT) power stations or to retrofit carbon capture storage (CCS) onto CCGT power stations, which, in the longer term, will help position the UK as a leading provider of next generation low carbon technologies.”

An initial assessment by the ETI suggests that the technology could reduce the typical cost of electricity by 13% when compared to current CCS technology. The first phase of the project will see the ETI invest £1.6m in a small scale demonstrator prototype, laboratory work and techno-economic assessment to confirm the projected benefits.

This will then be followed by a conceptual design for the larger-scale demonstrator plant.
 Once this initial stage completes, the ETI then expects to invest up to £20m over three years in the detailed design, assembly and testing of a UK demonstrator plant.

The technology is expected to be capable of large-scale deployment by 2020, at a cost and performance level which could make investment more attractive to project developers.

Photo shows Ed Davey

More information: www.dwpub.com/sourcewire

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