We Build The Future
We Build The Future is a construction and built environment sector charity, which was registered as a charity in December 2017 and founded by Richard Harral following the death of his father from bladder cancer in 2016. The organisation raises funds to improve prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and support industry workers dealing with the impact of cancer.
The organisation has three key objectives:
- To support people who work in the construction and built environment sector who face the challenge of dealing with cancer in their lives.
- To fund research which can help accelerate improvements in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.
- To promote health and wellbeing in the construction and built environment sector in order to help reduce the risk of people developing cancer in the first place.
With more than 3 million people working in the Construction and Built Environment sector, contributing a little can help to accelerate improvements in cancer survival, and help build a future where more people beat cancer. To do this We Build The Future has partnered up with the world’s biggest cancer charity, Cancer Research UK , to support their research and to provide access to expert information and support for people working in the Construction and Built Environment sector.
For more information visit https://webuildthefuture.org the following gives a summary of the organisations' key roles as described on their site.
Contents |
[edit] Providing information and support
"Whether someone is worried about cancer, dealing with diagnosis and treatment or supporting a relative, friend or colleague, they shouldn’t have to stand alone.
We Build The Future works to provide access to the right information to ensure that people in the Construction and Built Environment Sector get the answers they need. To do this, we raise funds so that we can partner with specialist organisations such as Cancer Research UK, who provide outreach and education programmes to improve cancer awareness, help people know how to reduce the risk of cancer and aid early diagnosis.
Our aim in the future is also to develop programmes that provide more direct support through industry partners such as the Lighthouse Club."
[edit] Raising money to beat cancer
"1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
Cancer survival has improved but there is still much more to be done to help more people beat cancer sooner. That is why we need the support of people and businesses across the construction and built environment sector to help raise funds to improve prevention, detection and treatments for all types of cancer.
With your help we can accelerate progress and help build a future where more and more people can expect to survive cancer – learn more."
[edit] Promoting health and wellbeing
"Taking steps to help prevent cancer.
Early diagnosis and better treatments are critical in helping more people beat cancer. But alongside this, there are steps we can take to reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place.
We Build The Future works through its own campaigns and partner organisations to help people lead healthier lives and supports business in improving the health and wellbeing of their staff."
This article is based on information given on the We Build The Future website at the time of writing, August 2023.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 5 construction site safety practices.
- Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital.
- Construction work in hot weather.
- Maggie’s Cancer Centre, Manchester.
- Site work and the early detection of skin conditions.
- Stop Make a Change SMAC-20.
- Wellbeing and buildings.
[edit] External links
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.























