Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 has the theme of ‘Community’. For us, this includes workplaces, where we spend so much of our lives together.
Workplaces are natural communities where we share goals, challenges, and daily experiences. When these communities thrive, they create powerful foundations and scaffolding for mental wellbeing. We feel connected rather than isolated, supported during difficult times, and part of something bigger than ourselves.
Over 100 local employers joined together in May 2024 for our Creating Mentally Workplaces for all conference
With a membership of almost 800 people across Leeds and West Yorkshire, the Leeds Mindful Employer Network is an inclusive and collaborative community welcoming all local employers and their employees. That means anyone with an interest in improving mental health at work.
Here’s Leigh Staunton, Leeds Mindful Employer Network Project Co-ordinator, to tell us more:
“When workplace communities are strong, we’re more likely to speak openly about mental health challenges, knowing we won’t face judgment, assumptions or discrimination. We look out for each other, notice when someone’s struggling, and feel comfortable offering support. This sense of belonging gives us purpose beyond just completing tasks.
On the other hand, when community is missing, work can feel lonely even in a seemingly busy and lively environment. We might struggle silently rather than reaching out or feel we cannot bring our whole selves to work and mental health stigma can persist unchallenged.
The Leeds Mindful Employer Network exemplifies the power of community in action. By bringing together employers across diverse sectors and industries, we’ve created a unique space where businesses and organisations can share insights, challenges, and innovative approaches to workplace mental health. This sharing of ideas and best practice between different workplaces continues to strengthen mental health practices throughout Leeds and West Yorkshire, creating more supportive environments for thousands of employees.
We’ve been chatting with our members, asking what being part of this community, means to them.
Here’s what our members had to say:
“Being part of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network means staying connected to a community that genuinely cares about workplace mental health. The insights, support and shared experiences continue to shape how we support our colleagues at JCT600.”
Nicola Tordoff-Sohne, Head of Colleague Experience, JCT 600
“Working collaboratively across the city!”
Victoria Small, Head of Wellbeing, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT)
“Being part of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network has allowed us to be a part of so many fantastic events and initiatives, as well as use our voice to contribute to important conversations on workplace mental health. The idea and knowledge sharing that takes place within the network has inspired me personally to think differently and more creatively about how we support our employee’s mental wellbeing.”
Anna Munroe, People and Culture Lead, Answer Digital
“Shows we are committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, and helps us connect with local employers and share best practice. It also helps everyone reduce stigma and normalise wellbeing discussions.”
Claire Burns, People Director, Abraham Moon & Sons
“It means creating a positive work environment where everyone feels supported, and therefore work collaboratively for the best of the company. Having a place to look for resources if needed for employee wellbeing.”
Charlotte, Client Relationship Manager, Nurture CRM
“Since opening The Skate Sanctuary at Mabgate Mills almost a year ago, we wanted to create a space that allows people to develop confidence and connection through roller skating. We saw people move around during the pandemic and afterwards – people moving to cities – surrounded by people yet feeling lonelier than ever. We wanted to do what we could (as a microbusiness). We recognise that there is no health without good mental health. I always enjoy catching up with the Mindful employer newsletters, even if I am not always able to attend the network meetings, I take the provision of resources to support good mental health in the workplace really seriously.”
Melissa Blackwood, Founder, The Skate Sanctuary
“Informed about relevant subjects, networking opportunities, sharing good practice!”
Deborah Rose, Project Support Officer, Leeds City Council
“Being part of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network has been a great opportunity for Women’s Health Matters. As an organisation we have accessed training from the network and been part of the wider community at conferences and events. We have also used the newsletters in our staff wellbeing sessions and in peer support when looking at best practise for supporting staff and their wellbeing. I find having the network as a resource has been invaluable and knowing that there is a wealth of knowledge and advice available has been so helpful.”
Hannah West, Projects Manager, Women’s Health Matters
“It’s such a great thing to be a part of, the team is on hand to provide help and really helped us develop our engagement plans.”
Brooke Asquith, HR Manager, Leeds Autism Service
“We want to be part of this network because I believe we should adhere to best practices and support other businesses where we can, even if they are our competitors. Being part of this network shows that as a business, this is important to us… the benefits are great, you have access to networking events, training, materials to use in-house, and network opportunities to learn and share with others.”
Jayne Uren, Human Resources Manager, Leeds Marriott Hotel
“Mental Health Awareness Week’s theme of community aligns perfectly with the spirit of our teams at North Bar. They aren’t just colleagues; they’re a supportive family that embraces open conversations, covers each other’s shifts when needed, and even votes for their ‘North Bar Star’ every month to recognize each other’s hard work. At North Bar, our teams don’t just serve their communities, they are communities. Each venue is a space where people can show up as themselves, feel supported, and connect with others. The Leeds Mindful Employer Network gives us a valuable space to share experiences and resources, and to keep learning how to better support our people. Being a member of the network not only affirms our commitment to positive mental health at work, but also fosters an environment where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered both at work and in our wider communities. We’re proud of the amazing work our teams do every day, both behind the bar and in their neighbourhoods, creating spaces that are welcoming, open, and full of heart.”
Harriet Tarbatt, People Operations Manager, North Bar
Why get involved?
Project Coordinator Leigh Staunton presents the Mindful Employer of the Quarter Award to Right At Home North Leeds
The network provides free information, guidance, resources and events on a wide range of workplace wellbeing topics. Getting involved is also a great way to promote and celebrate the fantastic work you are doing in your business or organisation to create mentally healthy cultures for all.
Join us
Wherever your business and organisation is on the wellbeing at work journey, if you are interested in finding out more about creating mentally healthy workplaces for all, we’d love to have you involved in the Leeds Mindful Employer Network.
You can join the network for free here
Ways to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 with us!
Share a post on social media celebrating how your workplace community supports positive mental health and wellbeing and brings your colleagues together. You could also share a post shouting out about why your business or organisation joined the Leeds Mindful Employer Network and what being part of our local business community means to you!
Wherever you are in your wellbeing at work journey, explore how to create mentally healthy workplaces for all by checking out our resource, The 10 Steps Toolkit
Find out how you can publicly declare your commitment to positive mental health at work by signing the Mindful Employer Charter
Celebrate a local employer (or your own business/organisation) and nominate a Mindful Employer of the Quarter
Get in touch with us to share your best practice with other employers in the city via a blog or a case study. Email mindfulemployer@leedsmind.org.uk to share your wellbeing at work story.
