Stobbarts Limited

16/10/2026

Keith Atkinson’s fundraising challenge | The campaign is gathering momentum

Keith has raised an incredible £4,806 for Prostate Cancer Research through his October running challenge - but he wants to smash his targets, and there is still plenty of time to help him do it.

Aged 70 and living with stage 4 prostate cancer, Keith has been running throughout October to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research and spread an important message about the disease.

He has been deeply touched by the support received so far. Among the latest developments is an anonymous donation worth £540, while a major business has also approached Keith with an interest in supporting his cause.

Keith has also approached Cumbria’s MPs to ask for their support and is reaching out to celebrities who have been affected by prostate cancer, helping to spread awareness of a condition that affects so many lives.

His original target was 50 miles, but he is considering pushing on to 100 miles and raising £5,000 - and there is no reason the campaign has to stop there.

There is still plenty of October left. Please keep sharing Keith’s fundraising page and donate if you can. Every share helps his message reach more people, and every donation supports prostate cancer research.

Let’s help Keith smash his targets and raise as much as possible.

Support Keith’s campaign and donate here:
https://support.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/fundraisers/keithatkinson/run-50-miles-in-october

15/10/2026

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 | 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻

Following his recent work placement with Stobbarts, James may have the opportunity to build on his experience with us in the future.

James Norman completed his placement through the Restart Programme at Lakes College, gaining an insight into working in construction and developing practical skills alongside our team.

This reflects our theme this week: creating opportunity, supporting routes into employment and growing skills through apprenticeships and work placements.

As we highlighted in our recent post about Neil Wordsworth’s journey from college to a joinery apprenticeship, there are different routes into the construction industry. Work placements provide another way for people to gain experience, demonstrate their abilities and take steps towards employment.

We’re pleased to work with Lakes College through the Restart Programme to help local people access opportunities in construction.

13/10/2026

Keith Atkinson's campaign is gathering momentum!

Workington veteran Keith Atkinson's remarkable fundraising campaign is gaining pace, with his story reaching an even wider audience through ITV Border's Lookaround and a forthcoming appearance on BBC Radio Cumbria.

In case you missed it, here's Keith talking about his campaign on ITV Border. Watch here:

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/catch-up-on-itv-lookaround-from-monday-12th-october/47tff6g

Keith is now closing in on £4,000, thanks to the growing support for his 50-mile challenge to raise money for prostate cancer research. He's also becoming something of a local celebrity as his story spreads across West Cumbria.

At Stobbarts, we're proud to be helping build that momentum, spreading the word through our social media channels and reaching out to businesses across Cumbria to encourage more people to get behind Keith's efforts.

But this is about more than fundraising. Keith wants to raise awareness of prostate cancer and encourage men to take their health seriously.

Tell a friend and save a life. Get tested.

💙 Help Keith reach his fundraising target. Donate here:

https://support.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/fundraisers/keithatkinson/run-50-miles-in-october

Please share Keith's story and help his campaign reach even more people.

We're with you all the way, Keith!

I'm taking on the Run 50 Miles Challenge this October for Prostate Cancer Research. Please support me by donating what you can. Every donation helps advance the mission to create a world free from the impact of prostate cancer. Thank you for your support.

12/10/2026

From college carousel course to joinery apprentice

For Neil Wordsworth (on the left), it all started with a college course designed to give young people a taste of different trades.

He tried several – but joinery was the one that stood out.

“It was the most fun,” Neil said.

Two years later, the 20-year-old from Workington is nearing the end of his apprenticeship with Stobbarts, having built up a broad range of practical experience and grown considerably in confidence.

Neil discovered his interest in joinery while taking part in a carousel course at Lakes College. He went on to complete a Level 2 Site Carpentry and Joinery course before joining Stobbarts as an apprentice.

Since then, he has gained experience in everything from first and second-fix site joinery to kitchen fitting.

Neil has also worked alongside joiner Josh Talbot (right of picture) of JT Joinery, who has seen his progress first-hand. Josh said Neil has come on really well, developed a broad range of practical skills and has really come out of his shell.

Well done, Neil.

At Stobbarts, apprenticeships are an important part of how we build our team for the future – giving young people the opportunity to learn from experienced tradespeople, gain real site experience and develop the skills needed for a career in construction.

10/10/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆 | 𝟭𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿

Mental health matters in every workplace – but in an industry like construction, it is an issue we cannot afford to ignore.

Construction remains a predominantly male industry, and research has highlighted the pressures experienced by many people working within it. The Chartered Institute of Building found in 2025 that 58% of construction workers surveyed experienced stress often, while 50% experienced anxiety often.

The HSE estimates that around 15,000 construction workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25.

At Stobbarts, supporting the health and wellbeing of our people is an important part of how we look after our workforce. We have a Health and Wellbeing Policy in place, with a focus on supporting mental wellbeing, identifying workplace stressors and encouraging people to talk and seek support when they need it.

Our staff have organised and participated in fundraising activities supporting Andy's Man Club, and members of our team have attended events focused on men's mental health and the challenges that can make it difficult for men to talk about how they are feeling. We have also hosted events and initiatives aimed at encouraging conversations around wellbeing.

The message is simple:

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗞 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸.

Looking after our people means more than keeping them physically safe. It means creating a workplace where colleagues look out for one another, where people can talk about difficulties without judgement, and where asking for help is seen as a strength.

This World Mental Health Day, take a moment to ask a colleague how they are doing – and take the time to listen to the answer.



𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲: Stobbarts Director Ricky Fee and Stobbarts Electrical Director Rob Kirkbride competing in an earlier fitness challenge event to raise money for Andy's Man Club.

09/10/2026

Work placement update | James Norman

We caught up with James Norman (right of picture) earlier this week to see how he has been getting on during his week-long work placement with Stobbarts through the Restart Programme at Lakes College.

James, who lives in Workington, has been gaining hands-on experience on a major refurbishment project in Egremont, carrying out a variety of tasks including painting and decorating new partition walls and skirting boards.

One task he particularly enjoyed was knotting – preparing timber surfaces before painting.
He has also been helping to keep the site tidy. Good housekeeping is particularly important during interior works, helping to keep people safe, protect finished work, maintain quality and keep the project progressing efficiently.

James has also had the opportunity to observe other trades, including painters and joiners, giving him a greater understanding of the teamwork and communication needed on a live construction site.

Following his time with us, James said he has grown in confidence and is more determined than ever to secure a full-time position in the construction sector.

We are pleased to be supporting James as he develops his skills and experience, and wish him every success as he takes his next steps towards a career in construction.

We’ll keep you updated on his progress and next steps.

07/10/2026

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

Competence is receiving greater attention across the built environment. The Building Safety Regulator's Industry Competence Committee has been developing clearer expectations around competence management, including the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours needed to deliver safe and compliant work.

For Stobbarts, that means making sure the right people are doing the right work, with the right qualifications, training and experience.

But keeping a site safe is not the responsibility of one person or one department.
It is a collaborative process involving our Contract Managers, Site Supervisors, operatives and SHEQ team. Everyone has a role in making sure work is properly planned, the right controls are in place and those controls are followed.

Our Site Supervisors and Contract Managers play a key role in the day-to-day management and supervision of our projects. They are close to the work, identify issues as they arise and help make sure work is carried out safely.

Our Health and Safety Managers, Willie McQuire and Ryan King, provide specialist support and oversight, working alongside project and site teams to maintain standards.
This includes:

𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 – checking work areas, identifying potential issues and reviewing controls.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 – discussing ongoing and upcoming work and making sure everyone understands what is required.

𝗦𝗤𝗘𝗣 – 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 – making sure people have the qualifications, training and experience required for the work they are undertaking.

We also use a structured training and competency matrix to monitor qualifications, training, competencies and renewal dates, helping us arrange refresher training and revalidation when required. Competence is therefore more than a training record. It has to be reflected in how work is planned, managed, supervised and carried out.

Our approach has been recognised by project partners at Oneaim.

Kevin Lamb, EHS Manager at Amentum, said:

“Stobbarts have consistently demonstrated excellent standards throughout the works, always supported by high-quality Safe Systems of Work and the effective use of PPE. Communication has been proactive, clear, and timely, enabling effective coordination with the wider team. They have set a strong example of collaborative working and have been a valued partner in the successful delivery of the works.”

Good health and safety depends on competent people, effective supervision and everyone taking responsibility for their part in keeping themselves and others safe.

𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆.

05/10/2026

WE’RE BEHIND YOU, KEITH! 💪🏃‍♂️

Everyone at Stobbarts is proud to be supporting Workington grandfather and Army veteran Keith Atkinson as he takes on his gruelling October challenge while living with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Keith is running every day of October to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research – going well beyond the charity’s 50-mile target – and has already raised £2,294.

Stobbarts has made a donation to Keith’s campaign, and we’re also using employer-supported volunteering to help promote his challenge and spread the word.

We’re backing Keith because this is about more than the miles. He’s using his challenge to raise awareness of prostate cancer and encourage other men to get checked.

Keith has shown incredible determination, and we want to do our bit to support him and help spread the word.

So come on, West Cumbria – let’s get behind Keith and help him over the line!

Every donation and every share will help.

👉 Support Keith’s campaign:

https://support.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/fundraisers/keithatkinson/run-50-miles-in-october

Come on, Keith! We’re with you all the way. 💪