February round up at O’Brien Contractors


Time to Talk, home-baked treats and a trip to the SAPCA exhibition, February was a busy one at O’Brien Contractors.

Check out our social media highlights from the past month below!


Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. 💬 It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

Construction workers are 3.7 times more likely to commit suicide than any other industry so it’s extremely important for our industry to take the time to talk.

At O’Brien Contractors, we strive to create an environment for everyone to feel comfortable talking about their mental health. We know opening up is important, but it can be difficult to take that first step.

This afternoon, we’re taking the time to talk over some cake and coffee! 🍰☕

If you, or anyone you know is struggling, here are a few support systems that can help:

matesinmind.org 🧠
thelighthouseclub.org 👷‍♂️
samaritans.org 🫂
mind.org.uk 🗣️

Take time to talk today.


This afternoon, our Time to Talk cake and coffee hour was a hit, with scones topped with cream and jam and some delicious homemade cakes🧁

The main topic of conversation? A very competitive debate …
You guessed it: Jam first, then cream or cream first, then jam?

After some spirited discussions around the table, we discovered that the “Buckingham Palace” method is to put the jam first, then the cream. So, we guess that must be the rule, right? 😆

Everyone took the time to take a break from their busy day to connect with each other and discuss things other than work. It was a fun and light-hearted way to bring everyone together, and we’re proud to keep the conversation going as part of Time to Talk Day!💬


‘Get yourself out there, gain experience and make yourself known in the industry.’

We’re proud to support 6 apprentices as they lay the foundations for a career in construction.👷‍♂️

During National Apprenticeship Week we spoke to one of our trainee site engineers, Brandon, and asked him why he chose an apprenticeship in construction.

Swipe to find out what he said!➡️


Last week, our very own Andrew Foster and Anthony Watson, along with five other brave adventurers, kicked off their preparations for the Arctic Challenge this March with a Podcast!❄️🎙️They’ll be trekking and dog sledging 180km across the icy Arctic Circle to raise funds for their individual incredible causes.

Tune into the Building Brum Podcast with host Conor Nolan, to hear why each participant is taking on this 7-day journey, the charities they’re supporting, and the personal challenges they’re preparing to face. From battling freezing temperatures as low as -20°C 🥶 to overcoming fears and tough obstacles, they’re pushing their limits for something meaningful.

With no electricity, no running water, and a whole lot of grit 💪, these Arctic Trekkers are embracing the extreme because the cause is worth it! If you would like to support the brave bunch heading off to the Arctic, please donate using the link below. The team is so close to reaching their £40,000 target, and every contribution counts as we enter the final 23-day countdown to their flight! ⏳

https://lnkd.in/e_GFMeeT

🎧 Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts:
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/earw_vbW
Apple: https://lnkd.in/dt9WY9j


So as you’ve heard …The countdown is on to our first O’Brien Charitable Trust fundraiser of the year!

And this time, we’re going cold…🥶

That’s right, we’re heading on an Arctic expedition, travelling across Finland with nothing but snow dogs and each other to get us through the extreme cold conditions! 🐕‍🦺💭

A huge well done to Andrew Foster & Anthony Watson and everyone taking part for their training and preparation so far, and an even bigger thank you to all of our kind sponsors!❄️

GW Consulting Engineers Ltd | Naismiths | Edge Careers | STARDOM LIMITED | Howden | Link Engineering | HOLEMASTERS DEMTECH LTD | Edmond Shipway | Crispin Recruitment Ltd | ONE Creative environments (ONE)

Any more donations as we count down to the challenge would be greatly appreciated! Every contribution helps us get closer to our goal. You can donate easily using the JustGiving link below:

https://lnkd.in/e_GFMeeT


 

 

 

Our team is thrilled to be attending the SAPCA Annual Conference & Awards this Thursday at Emirates Old Trafford! 🎉 It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the incredible work being done in the sports and play construction industry. 🏗️🥅

We’re excited to connect with industry professionals, gain insights from thought provoking talks by key figures in the sports sector, and celebrate the innovation happening in the sports and play construction world. 👏⚽

If anyone is attending and would like to chat about how O’Brien can assist with your next sports pitch project, come and find us to see what we do best! See you there!

 

 


🚀 SAPCA Success at The Emirates Old Trafford! 🏟️
What a fantastic experience at the SAPCA Conference and Awards! Our team had a great time connecting with industry leaders, sharing insights, and exploring exciting collaborations that will drive our industry forward.
From thought-provoking discussions on future trends to celebrating the incredible projects shaping sports and play facilities, the event was truly inspiring. A huge congratulations to all the winners! 🎉
We’re proud to be part of SAPCA, an association that champions excellence and innovation in sports and play construction. Here’s to a bright future and continued success for all SAPCA members! 🦺✨

Not following us on socials? Click the links below and follow us to keep up-to-date with all our latest news! 

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Preserving history at Shugborough, National Trust

Prioritising sustainability and preserving history at Shugborough 

Shugborough Estate, a historic National Trust property in Staffordshire, is undergoing a major development programme to cultivate and promote the site’s natural landscape and highlight its unique past. 

On track for transformation 

As part of the 57-week project, which kicked off in November 2024, we were instructed to deliver a series of reorientation works which would transform the site’s accessibility. This includes an additional car park, bridge, woodland paths, visitor centre and facilities.  

We are also adding a new entrance and access road from the A513, a new exit road which includes a new bridge over the existing Sher Brook, and new pathways across the site. The works will improve access to the site, allowing visitors to easily enter and leave the historic estate through the woodland areas. 

Our construction works are prioritising eco-friendly practices and sustainability, echoing the National Trust’s shared values, of driving sustainability and supporting local communities. For example, we’re using straw bales, UK-felled timber, lime, clay and other porous materials for buildings and tapping into solar energy with panels and lighting bollards to enable safe navigation for visitors during all hours of the day.  

To maintain the integrity of Shugborough’s local flora, all plants are quarantined before being brought to site. By adopting a nature-first approach, we’re preserving the site’s woodlands and gardens for a future generation of visitors. 

We have decades of experience combining excellence and practicality and are working closely with the National Trust team to create visually appealing spaces that can be enjoyed by the local community and visitors. In order to incorporate Staffordshire’s rich nature into the design, we will be building the new visitor centre around an ancient oak tree. 

The right touch to improve accessibility  

Improving access is a crucial part of this project and one of the estate’s key commitments, which makes this an exceptionally rewarding project for our specialist in-house team. From design to implementation, our expert team are experienced in providing the right touch to create accessible, dynamic spaces that meet a variety of needs.  

Through collaborating with the National Trust team, our aim is to create a space that will serve a wide range of needs for visitors, the local community, and nature for years to come. 

Find out more about how we transform sites when delivering civil engineering projects across the country.