🐾Pack Mentality Spotlight:  Chris Lowe 🐾

Meet Chris Lowe: Veteran Carpenter, Community Builder, and Mental Health Advocate

Chris Lowe is a time-served carpenter with over 30 years in the trade, known for his versatility, passion for mentoring, and deep commitment to causes that matter within construction. From his early days working in his father’s DIY shop to building a respected business and fierce online community, Chris represents the spirit of resilience and support that defines The Pack at Jackal Workwear. Here’s Chris, in his own words:

 

Q&A 

Why did you join The Pack?

I wanted to be a part of a workwear brand I was proud to be a part of—to wear my clothing knowing that I was supporting so much more than just someone’s business. I was supporting a very worthwhile charity and good causes. Potentially helping people to get help in their hour of need. Or support with a family member who needs extra support with autism or ADHD. I love supporting the Lost City Project—means a lot to me, having suffered myself and having lost a best mate to suicide. This is my way of making sure there is help out there to support everyone.

What made you get into the trade?

Well, I suppose from a very young age I was always interested in making things. My dad had a DIY shop when I was growing up. I spent a lot of time in his shop growing up, working Saturdays helping pick deliveries and going out with the delivery drivers, helping put stock away. My dad passed away when I was 15, totally broke me, I went off the rails a bit. I finished school. I just had enough qualifications to get onto a CITB apprenticeship at Warwickshire college. This is when I knew I was meant to do carpentry. I loved it and still do. I carried out 3 years and then went on to do my ONC in building studies. From there, I worked for lots of different companies, gaining knowledge in all aspects of carpentry.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on-site?

I think it’s when I did an extension on a mortuary at the back of a funeral director’s. We had to build the extension over the existing building as well as widen and lengthen it; this had to be done while they still conducted business. Bit strange walking past the bodies in their coffins, going to make a cup of tea. I’m not going to lie that we didn’t play a few tricks on the apprentice on that job, but maybe that’s a story for another time, hey. Haha.

If you were a tool, what would you be and why?

Well, some may say I’m a right tool but they’re allowed their own opinions. Ha ha. I think I’d be a multi tool. I’m actually happy to do anything—a multi tool is very versatile and can tackle most jobs by just changing its attachments. I do have a very wide variety of tools and I’m not one to shy away from a hard day’s graft no matter what it’s doing. I like to get stuck in, but very easily distracted ha ha.

What Jackal design do you want to see next and why?

You know I love the Just Jackal clothing—I’d actually fill my wardrobe with them. I love my carpenter/firefighter Jackal, he is just the best, so for me that is the one. I also love the surfboard Jackal design. Snowboarding Jackal would be cool for my boarding holidays, toxic social Jackal is very apt just at present. Maybe I need a retirement Jackal soon ha ha. Some may love that

Do you have a question for The Pack we can put out from The Jackal account?

Can be anything you like, just keep it clean.

If you could cure one thing in the world, what would it be.

 

Industry Insights:  on Key Trade Issues

Mental Health in Construction

We need to do more, I suffer and I’ve suffered in silence, I make the calls to check in on friends, colleagues. I want to be that person who you feel safe to talk to. I want to make you feel listened to, we need to talk more, I have a great network of people who I have met through social media who I now know are there for me when I need them. We need to expand our networks and encourage all to talk and get involved. Take time out to recharge ourselves. Encourage socialising not isolation. Make people know bullying and being toxic on social media will not be tolerated. Social media has no place for this. This has a massive effect of people’s mental health and needs to stop. But unfortunately some who say they are all for promoting mental health are in fact them who are causing it. Being a mental health champion should not be used for likes and followers.

Tool Theft in the Building Trade

Well we all know someone who has been affected by this. It’s got to stop, tougher sentences need to be enforced. This has such a massive impact on not just the person who has had their tools stolen but their whole family. No tools. No job, no money, then debts, the feeling of not being able to provide for your family. The impact on everyone’s mental health.
All for what so these scumbags need to be stopped. Most of this tool theft now is massive organised crime gangs.
They should bring back corporal punishment. Chop their hands off. Make them think twice about the crime they’re about to commit. If they get caught at the moment they get nothing. Makes my blood boil.

 

Follow Chris Lowe at @chrislowecarpentry for more trade stories, support, and inspiration from someone who truly lives The Pack mentality