FMB WEST WALES BRANCH
that space and the friendly group we have, many would suffer. It is an amazing branch.” For the passion What Davies loves about the branch members is their passion. “Everyone wants to do the best and be the best, and the more information we can share with each other, the better,” he says. “The reason it works so well is because we’ve all got such a passion for the building industry, and that comes together as a collective once a month. “There are so many different parts of the building process and across the group, we have experience in all of them, so it’s easy to share between us. We enjoy talking about it, and also, taking a night off once a month helps too.” For the cause Another galvanising factor behind the branch is members’ commitment to charitable causes. The annual Christmas charity dinner has been on the calendar for several years. Members bring their partners, enjoy a meal together and raise money for worthy recipients. “Our charity dinner has grown over the years. We don’t aim to
raise massive amounts – it’s a small group, and the dinner is limited to 80 people,” Roberts says. “We rely on donations from merchants to auction off, and they’re very supportive.” The dinner, held in beautiful Tenby, receives support from members across the UK – not just in West Wales – including past presidents of the FMB. “It is hard work to organise,” Roberts explains. “To be honest, Alison Hughes at the FMB does an amazing job. She’s our rock. Without her pushing us and keeping us on track, it wouldn’t be the success it is. We’re builders, we’re busy and her organisation is crucial.” Davies says members in West Wales “always want to give back to the community, engage with the community and help”. There is an added bonus too, he explains: “Some of the charities we support have been close to members’ hearts. We’re not just there to support each other; we support friends, family, and the wider community. “Aside from building houses, we want to help anyone who needs it and make a difference where we can. Supporting charities that have helped someone within the group definitely makes a difference.”
Mark Roberts
Rhys Davies
Three fundamentals of an engaged branch 1. Everyone needs to get along. Despite being competitors, members don’t need to be competitive – there’s plenty of work to go around. Jealousy or friction is not helpful. 2. A good mix of people with varying life experiences and professional experiences. 3. The right venue . It should serve hearty food and be a place that people look forward to visiting each month.
“On the flip side, they might have worries about the technical side of building with all the modern technology. It gives us different avenues to talk to each other. We share experiences, and that helps with the mental health side as well.” Mental health challenges are significant in construction, with high rates of suicide and taxing levels of stress. “When we get together once a month, a lot of it is venting,” Roberts says. “Having people who’ve been through the same situations is a release. You get things off your chest, hear others’ experiences, and reset. Without
Beautiful Tenby is where the annual charity dinner takes place
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Master Builder
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