This month, Leeds Mindful Employer Network Project Lead, Leigh Staunton, has been catching up with Samantha Dalton, Chief Compliance Director at fonemedia in Leeds.
Samantha Dalton, Chief Compliance Director at fonemedia
This Mobile Media Agency has recently become a member of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network and signed the Mindful Employer Charter.
Leigh met with Samantha to find out more about the business, how it supports the small team of employees and why they decided to join the Mindful Employer movement.
Great to see you Samantha! Firstly, please tell us a bit about you and fonemedia.
I’m the Group Compliance Director at fonemedia, a mobile media agency specialising in the education and property sectors. We’re a tight-knit team based in Yorkshire, working with clients across the UK and overseas. We also work closely with our sister company, IFF Digital, which focuses on performance marketing within the travel, education, and retail sectors. At fonemedia, we pride ourselves on being values-driven, and our people are absolutely at the heart of what we do.
Why is mental health important to you? (as an individual and as a business)
On a personal level, I’ve seen first-hand how important mental wellbeing is in helping people to thrive both in and out of work. We all bring our whole selves to the workplace, and if someone is struggling mentally, it affects everything – performance, relationships, and overall happiness.
As a business, we recognise that supporting mental health isn’t just the right thing to do, it also makes sense. A healthy, supported team is more engaged, creative and resilient. We want fonemedia to be a workplace where people feel safe, valued and able to speak openly about how they’re feeling.
Where did Fonemedia start its mental health journey?
Our journey began by simply listening. We took time to understand what our team needed and what challenges they were facing – especially in the wake of the pandemic. From there, we began to put practical steps in place: promoting open conversations, training another Mental Health First Aider, and offering regular wellbeing sessions. It wasn’t about quick fixes but creating a supportive culture that would stand the test of time.
What made you decide to sign the Mindful Employer Charter?
Signing the Charter was a natural next step. It’s a public commitment to the values we already held – that mental health matters and that we are willing to lead by example. Being part of the Mindful Employer Network also gives us the opportunity to learn from others, access support, and continue to develop our approach. It’s about being part of a wider movement for positive change.
What are you most proud of in terms of fonemedia’s approach to mental health at work?
We’re proud that our people know it’s OK not to be OK – and that they’ll be listened to without judgement. We’ve normalised conversations around mental health and made sure there are always routes to support, whether through internal Mental Health First Aiders, access to wellbeing sessions, or flexibility in how and when people work.
We’ve also worked hard to ensure that wellbeing isn’t a one-off initiative – it’s embedded into how we do things.
fonemedia employees volunteering at Zarach, a charity providing beds and bedding to children living in poverty.
What are your priorities for the next 6 months in terms of mental health at work?
We’re focusing on three things:
- Continued training – equipping more staff with the knowledge and confidence to support each other
- Regular wellbeing events – including financial wellbeing support, and stress management
- Feedback and improvement – making sure we’re listening and evolving based on what our team tells us they need.
What would you say to other local businesses considering joining the Leeds Mindful Employer Network?
Do it. You don’t need to have all the answers before you start – but making that commitment opens the door to real change. The network is a fantastic source of shared learning, ideas and support, and it’s a brilliant way to show your team that you’re serious about their mental health and wellbeing. Every step forward makes a difference.
Thanks so much to Samantha for contributing to this blog.
Find out more about signing the Mindful Employer Charter.
Become a member of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network.
Register for our next in-person event on 10th September: ‘Suicide Prevention in the Workplace: Building Cultures of Hope and Safety’.
A quote from Samantha Dalton: “We’re proud that our people know it’s OK not to be OK – and that they’ll be listened to without judgement”
