Tutor Spotlight: Heidi Lowe - A True Building Hero

At Building Heroes, the strength of our programmes comes not only from the opportunities we create for service leavers and veterans, but also from the people who guide them along the way. Our tutors are at the heart of every academy, bringing skill, experience and genuine care to every cohort.

We want to celebrate the individuals across our training network who make such a difference to our learners. It feels particularly fitting that our first spotlight shines on Heidi Lowe, one of our tutors at the Building Heroes Ibstock Academy, delivered in partnership with Davidsons Homes and Vision West Nottinghamshire College.

Heidi is a veteran herself and has been teaching with Vision West Nottinghamshire College at the Building Heroes academy for the past two years. Over that time she has become a much valued member of the Building Heroes family.

Heidi truly embodies the values that sit at the heart of our work at Building Heroes. She represents the journey of recruit, re-skill and redeploy, bringing both understanding and empathy to the classroom. Her experience as a veteran means she understands the transition many of our learners are going through and she creates an environment where people feel supported, encouraged and able to grow in confidence as they begin their next chapter.

Heidi’s contribution to Building Heroes also extends well beyond the workshop.

Last year Heidi and fellow veteran tutor Paul from the Ibstock Academy took on an incredible series of challenges to raise funds for Building Heroes and the veterans we support.

The first challenge in July saw Heidi take on an endurance challenge in the Lake District. She began by cycling up a mountain before hiking to the summit of The Old Man of Coniston, finishing the challenge by kayaking around Coniston Water. It was an impressive feat of determination and resilience.

A month later, on 1 August, Heidi was joined by Paul and three friends for an even bigger challenge. Starting in Calais, the team set out on a road cycling journey to Amsterdam. Over seven days they travelled through Lille, Brussels, Maastricht, Eindhoven, Arnhem and Rotterdam, covering around 60 miles each day and a total distance of more than 420 miles. It was a challenge not to be underestimated and one they completed together with great spirit.

Through these efforts Heidi and the team raised more than £500 for Building Heroes, helping us continue our work supporting veterans and service leavers into meaningful careers in construction.

Heidi is also a strong advocate for women entering the construction industry. Alongside her work with Building Heroes she leads a female focused training programme within Vision West Nottinghamshire College, supporting women who are looking to develop skills and build a future in construction.

Her passion for helping others succeed is clear in everything she does and she is a champion not only for women entering the industry, but for every learner who comes through the workshop doors.

Heidi continued her fundraising efforts later in the year as well, spending time in the autumn crocheting poppies in honour of Remembrance Day and raising further funds for Building Heroes along the way.

Perhaps the best reflection of Heidi’s impact comes from the learners she supports.

“Heidi is by far one of the most influential female role models I have ever had the privilege of working with for such a short space of time. Even though I have my own issues every day I struggle with them, but now I find myself thinking maybe I could do something in this world. She has given me the confidence to try and change my mental outlook on not only myself but my life in general. Thank you Heidi. I appreciated your time, patience and your ear.”

“Heidi was exceptional and I felt she went above and beyond for all students.”

“Heidi has a detailed knowledge of the trades taught and pitches everything at the right level.”

We look forward to shining a light on more of our tutors in future editions of the newsletter. However, following Women in Construction Week, it feels entirely appropriate that we launch this feature during our March edition with someone who champions Women in Construction in their workshops every day.

Thank you Heidi for your fundraising efforts, your commitment to our learners and for the vital role you play in the Building Heroes community. You truly are a Building Hero.

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