The Leeds Mindful Employer Network is excited to announce that the latest winner of the Mindful Employer of the Quarter award is… Community Learning Partnerships! Check out the nomination they received from an employee at the business:
The charity is committed to engage, inspire and empower individuals to achieve their true potential through offering a learning sanctuary. The organisation are aware in order to achieve their vision, the welfare of every member of staff across all projects must not be overlooked. Our wellbeing is taken into consideration with regular one to one checks. Staff meetings are held on a weekly basis where we are able to celebrate highs and be supported through lows. A box is in place if any member of staff would like to personally highlight appreciation to someone. Wellbeing walks are regularly promoted and timetabled and work life balance encouraged to follow. I am employed by an organisation who listen, is non judgemental, and encourages everyone to work as a team to the best of their abilities.
Senior Executive and Charity Lead, Jenny Harris, was delighted to find out about the win and has been chatting to Leeds Mindful Employer Network Project Lead, Leigh Staunton, about why mental health matters at work, where their journey started and why they decided to become a Mindful Employer.
Congratulations on Community Learning Partnerships winning the Mindful Employer of the Quarter award! How does it feel to win and read your nomination?
It was a lovely surprise to receive on a Friday afternoon and made us feel proud. It confirmed to us that what we do is working well.
Tell us a bit about you and your role at Community Learning Partnerships.
As Senior Executive and Charity Lead, it is my priority to provide an environment where everyone feels supported, heard and respected. As someone who values both professional success and personal wellbeing, I understand the importance of work-life balance and mental health. By building strong relationships within my team and with external partners, we can ensure we stay aligned with the charity’s vision where we want to see a society where individuals are engaged, inspired and empowered to achieve their potential.
Why is mental health important to you? (as an individual and as a business)
I want to come to a happy place of work and want the staff to feel the same. We spend the majority of our lives at work and want to feel that our staff are happy and comfortable sharing if they’re not feeling 100%. We want to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all our staff, volunteers and service users. Many of us experience some mental ill health at some point in our lives and it is important to be compassionate and supportive when challenges occur.
Where did Community Learning Partnerships start its mental health journey?
We started a wellbeing sub-group comprising leadership, trustees and staff following a resilience session held in March 2022 with staff and trustees to explore how health and wellbeing could be improved across the organisation.
What made you decide to sign the Mindful Employer Charter?
We felt it was important to show that we are an employer who cares about the wellbeing of staff. We work closely with our staff to encourage positive wellbeing and mental health, but it also needs to be shown externally to encourage potential new employees that it is a safe and supportive place for our employees, volunteers and service users.
What are you most proud of in terms of Community Learning Partnership’s approach to mental health at work?
Feedback from staff – our staff consider each other to be a work ‘family’ and are comfortable sharing any issues and challenges they may be having, both with
management and with each other. They feel valued at work, which in turn means they want to work collaboratively to achieve our shared goals, resulting in successful outcomes for the organisation, our service users and the community in which we work.
What are your priorities for the next 6 months in terms of mental health at work?
- Continue to listen to staff
- Increase wellbeing activities
- More staff social activities
- Find new premises as we are struggling with the continuing dilapidation of our current site.
What would you say to other local businesses considering joining the Leeds Mindful Employer Network?
It enables you to hold yourself accountable and look at what is working and what needs improving. It provides practical tips and resources to help you make those improvements and support staff wellbeing. It enables you to look at how other organisations support the wellbeing of their staff.
Thank you to Jenny for speaking with us and contributing to our network
Find out more about becoming a Mindful Employer Charter Signatory here.
Check out our 10 steps toolkit for building a mentally healthy workplace here.
