Are you feeling anxious or stressed?
ARB has two objectives that underpin everything we do – protect the public and support architects through regulation. As part of our support for the profession, we share information about the Architects Benevolent Society (ABS) and the services they can provide to help you get back to your best.

ABS is a charity which helps hundreds of architects, those from the wider architectural profession and their families across the UK every year in their time of need. Every enquiry about support made to either ARB or ABS is treated with total confidentiality and no personal details are ever shared between ARB and ABS.

ABS offers a range of support, tailored to meet individual circumstances and needs. This includes providing financial assistance (including assistance with fees), emotional support, referrals and specialist advice delivered by partner organisations.

Alleviating financial hardship remains at the core of what ABS does, however it is often not only way to help address the circumstances many people are facing when they turn to the charity. This is why ABS aims to offer holistic support to individuals and families and enable them to reach a point where they no longer need the charity’s support.

Helping people get appropriate support when they need it the most
In 2017, ABS set up a partnership with Anxiety UK to deliver a range of emotional support services including one to one therapy, a dedicated helpline and email services and self-help materials. The referral process is very quick, with most people being seen by a therapist within a few weeks of referral.

ABS has chosen to put mental wellbeing in the industry at the top of their agenda throughout 2019. Their #AnxietyArch campaign aims to:

• encourage architectural professionals and students to recognise and talk openly about mental health issues and know where they can access help when they need it most
• promote good practice in terms of people looking after themselves, their colleagues, their employees and their families.

Each month, the #AnxietyArch campaign focuses on a different theme relating to pressure points for stress and anxiety as well as coping mechanisms shared through personal stories and articles. Themes covered so far have included wellbeing at work, exercise and nutrition, sleep, social interaction and the arts.

To find out more about the support available, eligibility criteria and to read articles and stories focussing on mental wellbeing, you can visit: www.absnet.org.uk