In this show Ash & JW are joined by Justin Geange an RUOK? Community Ambassador.
Tradies face a range of challenges across their working lives – from job uncertainty to financial pressures, intense physical demands and workplace culture issues. In an industry where stigma is high, these pressures can build up and impact mental and emotional wellbeing for tradies if they don't feel they can talk to others about their struggles.
Justin who is a Tradie, a plumber, speaks openly about the experiences and struggles he had back in 2012, how his boss noticed a change in him and took the steps to help him to get help. This experience led Justin to joining with RUOK? to help others who are needing their story being heard and that it is OK not being OK. We explore some of life pressures that lead to Tradies not travelling so well and dealing with the struggles of life. Justin talks about some of the signs his boss noticed during his struggles and how being out of character led to the conversations that changes his life.
Justin also shares how when his boss was asking RUOK? He would say “yes I’m OK” knowing that he really wasn’t and how persistence made the difference and got to the point that he could say yes I’m NOT OK.
We discus what Justin really loves about this new Tradie Campaign and how it focuses on the strengths that exists in the building and construction industry. We get to understand that its about asking the question, checking in and having the conversation, Ask, Listen, Encourage, Action and Check in. Things can happen so quickly so the importance of checking in cannot be underestimated. The old mindset of keeping it to ourselves and changing that culture is critical to making a difference and having the conversations that can change a life.
R U OK? is calling on Australian tradespeople to add conversation skills to their toolkits and has released ‘Tradies Tools to Talk’ to help them know when and how to ask their workmates ‘are you OK?’.
The R U OK? Tradies resources provide practical tools and tips for family, friends and workmates to spot the signs that someone on their work site may be struggling, to empower them to spark a meaningful R U OK? conversation and to help them find support if needed.
When we genuinely ask ‘Are you OK?’ and are prepared to talk to a mate about how they’re feeling we can help someone who might be struggling to feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis.
Justin’s story, passion and commitment to making a difference is infectious and a genuine industry role-model that is having the conversations that change a life, RUOK?
Find out more: https://www.ruok.org.au/tradies
Join us @ https://innovativetradies.club/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeTradies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovativetradies/
Got a question for Justin? email it to us at: connect@innovativetradies.club
