We're delighted to announce that we've been named a Finalist in the British Training Awards 2026 for our Brew Crew mental health initiative in the 'Awareness Campaign of the Year' category.
Following our recent win at the British HR Awards and our shortlist at the Constructing Excellence East Midlands Awards, this latest recognition further demonstrates our commitment to creating a workplace where mental health and wellbeing are prioritised.
With a range of categories, the British Training Awards by New Possible, sets out to discover and celebrate the teams and individuals who are truly passionate about learning and development’s role in building a thriving workforce.
This year, a record 423 entries were received from organisations across the UK, and so competition to be named a finalist was fierce. Companies taking part range from start-up pioneers to globally known brands.
Brew Crew: Creating Safe Spaces for Mental Health
Introduced in April 2025, Brew Crew is Lucion’s mental health awareness and support initiative designed specifically for our male workforce, who represent 80% of Lucion’s employees. The initiative provides a safe, informal and supportive space for open conversation, connection and peer support through monthly online drop-in sessions.
We introduced Brew Crew in response to the significant mental health challenges faced within the construction industry. In the UK, 2 construction workers die by suicide every day, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for men under 50. At Lucion, 81% of our male workforce falls into this age group, making this initiative particularly personal to us.
Employee-led and creating a psychologically safe environment where individuals can talk, listen, or simply check in when needed, Brew Crew consists of monthly online drop-in sessions where colleagues can attend voluntarily, without obligation to participate every time.
Brew Crew is complemented by mandatory mental health awareness training for all managers and access to Mental Health First Aider training across the business, additionally supported by our trained Mental Health First Aiders, who currently represent 12% of our workforce. Further, we work in partnership with the Construction Industry Helpline and Lighthouse Club charity to ensure specialist support is always available, and our Employee Assistance Programme offers free counselling.
Carolyn Cole, Chief People Officer at Lucion, commented:
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as a finalist for Brew Crew.
This initiative was born from a genuine need to support our male workforce in an industry where mental health challenges are all too prevalent. Creating a stigma-free space where colleagues can connect, talk openly, and support one another has been transformational.
This nomination validates the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing, and we’re proud to be amongst such exceptional organisations.”
Evidence of Impact
Over the last 12 months, Brew Crew has held consistent monthly sessions and is regularly promoted through business unit meetings and town halls, CEO updates, inductions and via Heads Up (our Mental Health First Aider network).
Showcasing the value that Brew Crew brings to our male workforce, we have received powerful feedback from anonymous participants:
“I have dropped in on Brew Crew on numerous occasions. Just chatting with other guys, in a judgement free and relaxed environment is cathartic. You don’t choose a topic, nothing is pre-planned, you just make a brew and chat. Subjects of discussion ebb and flow, sometimes you talk, sometimes you listen, sometimes you might even nod off. It’s a safe place, where you can relax, leave your troubles behind or even voice them. All in the knowledge that what happens in Brew Crew stays in Brew Crew.
I have never once not left Brew Crew not feeling happier than when I dropped in.”
We are truly passionate about making a difference and enabling a cultural shift in our business with such initiatives as Brew Crew that allow mental health to be tabled, permanently.
British Training Awards Ceremony
We’ll find out if we’ve won at an awards ceremony in Covent Garden, London on the 15th July 2026.
Nate Harwood, Founder of New Possible and the British Training Awards, said:
“Investment in learning and development is non-negotiable for organisations to succeed in 2026.
As we navigate a profound industrial shift, those equipping their people with new skills are actively building tomorrow’s economy. The British Training Awards celebrate the visionary teams and individuals driving this transformation. Congratulations to all our Finalists.”
