Tiny home auctioned for $1 to support tradies’ mental health

AUCKLAND, Today: A tiny home worth over $ 200,000 will be auctioned with a $ 1 reserve, benefiting a group that helps tradies with mental health.

Live Well Build Well, started in 2022, has aided thousands in the construction industry, boosting mental fitness and tackling issues like depression and anxiety.

Programme Manager Rafael Caso says they’ve partnered with Unit2go to secure essential funding for their cause.

“We’re thrilled to have the support of Unit2go who have worked with a whole bunch of amazing suppliers to create a fantastic unit which will be auctioned off at a $ 1 reserve on Trade Me,” said Caso. “This funding is going to be huge for us. The work we’re doing is really important and this will allow us to help far more people.”

Tradies often face mental health challenges. “Tradies typically work really hard in an industry which has ups and downs so they can be dealing with a lot of uncertainty,” said Caso. “At Live Well Build Well, we’re there to help with a programme designed to grow mental wellbeing and resilience in this community.

“We’ve created a fantastic unit and we’re encouraging New Zealanders to get involved and throw down a bid to support a good cause.”

The work we’re doing has been really well received and we’re thrilled to be auctioning off this tiny home which will allow us to help even more hardworking Kiwi tradies,” Caso added.

Unit2go Owner Mark Ross is excited to support Live Well Build Well. “The reaction we got when we reached out to our suppliers about this project has been fantastic. I think everyone in our community knows a tradie who’s gone through a tough time mentally, so everyone has been incredibly keen to support this initiative,” said Ross.

The tiny home is a brand new, fully furnished 55-square-metre transportable unit. It includes two bedrooms, an office, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a lounge, with a retail value over $ 200,000 NZD.

“We’ve created a fantastic unit and we’re encouraging New Zealanders to get involved and throw down a bid to support a good cause,” said Ross. “I’d also like to say a huge thanks to all the suppliers who pitched in and donated time and materials to the unit, this has been a real team effort.”

The home will be on display at Fieldays from June 12-15. The auction link is available here and closes on Sunday, June 16th. Note, the auction is currently listed under property but will be moved to $ 1 reserve on June 6th.

Live Well Build Well is a joint initiative by The Mental Health Foundation and ACC.

The organisations which have helped to create the unit are:

Unit2Go
Thomsons ITM
Cabjaks
iBuilt
Franklins European Bathrooms
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Comfi
Snug Fit Insulation
CSR
Aalto Paint
Counties Aluminium
NZ Blinds & Awnings
Flooring Direct
Tile Warehouse
Sifco Fastening Solutions

About Live Well Build Well
Live Well Build Well was set up by the Mental Health Foundation and ACC in 2022 to share practical ideas that construction businesses can use to build resilience, reduce stress levels and help prevent common workplace injuries.

Since then the organisation has helped tens-of-thousands of tradies, through in person and online programmes designed to increase mental strengths to deal with the demands of working in a constantly changing industry.