A MENTAL health support group is using a new care pack scheme to reach out to construction workers across Renfrewshire.

Kickin’ On – established in February by Dave and Mark McKenna – uses football, fitness and talking sessions to engage with those seeking help to overcome a variety of challenges.

The Linwood brothers have now launched a care pack initiative targeted towards people working in construction, which is one of the hardest hit sectors for poor mental wellbeing.

Direct Engineering, which employs dozens of people at its Linwood and Paisley operations, was the first company to be given a bundle of goodies, as well as information about mental health.

Packs containing branded mugs, notepads and essential signposting literature for those seeking support were handed to the firm, which has a track record for community involvement through its sponsorship of Johnstone football club Thorn Athletic.

Dave McKenna, secretary of Kickin’ On, told The Gazette: “The care pack initiative has already attracted significant interest, so it was great to get out and about with the first batch and meet the people at Direct Engineering.

“We’ve had some major firms contact us with a view to engaging with them going forward and it’s all been positive so far.

“Hopefully, the message we want to get out there will come through with initiatives like this.”

Dominic McGee, managing director of Direct Engineering, added: “We’d like to thank Kickin’ On for approaching us, coming out to meet the staff and giving us the background to their work.

“It was great to hear first-hand about what they are doing and it was also reassuring to learn about the support that is there for people in the industry.”

For more information about the group and its activities, search for Kickin’ On on Facebook.