SWAG was founded in 2020 by cofounders Jason Wickenden and Ian Pickard. SWAG would not have moved forward with such momentum, without the committed support of Sunninghill, Cheesmur, Hawes and other main contractors whose representatives have assisted in promoting SWAG.

Jason was concerned that the Covid pandemic would cause an increase in the number of individuals suffering a mental health crisis or perhaps more regrettably the incidence of suicide rising. He suggested in an email to two other principal contractors and safety consultant, Ian Pickard, that they should form a “collective” of local contractors to offer a consistent approach to raising awareness of mental health and pool resources to engage with those suffering mental health crises and provide them with clear support and guidance for sourcing the help required. Initial interest was positive, albeit stilted in fear of potential costs and whether the initiative was simply a whim and SWAG was born!

Since 2020 there has been an absolute resolve to collaborate and set aside any commercial business interests to ensure that SWAG achieves the fundamental principle of presenting a consistent approach to mental health and wellbeing to support an individual(s) in mental health crisis or simply in need of a friendly conversation.

The initiative was initially directed toward local construction sites, where statistics show that most suicides prevailed, particularly among men. However, word spread of SWAG, and it is now supported by legal organisations, professional consultants, Clients and marketing business alike. All of these “affiliated members” now being committed to promoting good mental health and wellbeing in the construction industry and offering support to the pooled list of Mental Health First Aiders.