The Leeds Mindful Employer Network is excited to announce that the newest winner of the Mindful Employer of the Quarter award is…Escape Hunt Leeds (part of the XP Factory Group). Check out the nomination they received from an employee at the business:
“I’d like to nominate Escape Hunt Leeds and specifically General Manager, Elle Land. For
Mental Health Awareness Week, Elle has done a post a day to make us all feel valued and created
awareness. Everything from mental health first aid tips, numbers that we can use and
different ways to cope with our mental health.”
The aforementioned Elle Land was delighted to find out about the win and has been chatting to Leeds Mindful Employer Network Project Lead, Leigh Staunton, about how it felt to be nominated, why mental health matters at work and how the business supports the team.
Elle Land, General Manager, Escape Hunt Leeds (part of the XP Factory Group)
Congratulations to Elle on winning the Mindful Employer of the Quarter Award on behalf of Escape Hunt Leeds (part of the XP Factory Group).
Congratulations, Elle! The nomination celebrated something you did as an individual; how does it feel to win and read the nomination?
Honestly, it means a lot. The nomination came as a complete surprise, and reading those kind words meant a lot. To know that something as simple as sharing daily posts for Mental Health Awareness Week had a real impact on the team, is incredibly humbling. It’s easy to underestimate how much small, consistent efforts can matter, so being recognised like this was really touching.
Tell us a bit about you and your role at Escape Hunt Leeds?
I’m the General Manager for Escape Hunt Leeds and Escape Hunt Manchester, part of the XP Factory Group. My role is all about making sure everything runs smoothly day-to-day. From overseeing our amazing teams and ensuring our guests have the best experience possible, to making sure we’re always growing and improving. It’s a fun, fast-paced environment where no two days are ever the same.
What do you love about your role and what’s the greatest challenge you face at work?
What I love most about my role at Escape Hunt is the creativity and energy that comes with it. No day is ever the same and as a business, we’re constantly thinking on our feet, adapting, and working together to give people unforgettable experiences. There’s something special about seeing guests walk out laughing, absolutely buzzing from the game, knowing we helped create that moment. The greatest challenge is balancing all the moving parts. We’re a small team doing big things, so it can be tough making sure we stay on top of everything operationally.
Why is raising awareness about positive mental health important to you, both as an individual and as a business?
I believe that when people feel supported, valued and safe at work, they can thrive and that starts with mental health. As an individual, I’ve seen how important it is to be proactive about it. As a business, we have a responsibility to create an environment where people can talk about how they’re feeling and know they’ll be supported. I believe it’s essential for a healthy, happy workplace.
Where did Escape Hunt start its mental health journey?
I joined the business in March 2023, and whilst it has always adopted an inclusive approach, there was a real focus on wellbeing with the launch of Thrive, our Wellbeing Initiative, last year. This has been led by senior leaders, demonstrating a real commitment to mental health in the workplace and everyone in the business is encouraged and empowered to carry this through into the everyday.
What are you most proud of in terms of the business’s approach to mental health at work?
I’m proud that mental health is something we talk about openly at Escape Hunt Leeds. Whether it’s through team check-ins, awareness posts, sharing resources, or just encouraging a kind culture.
What are your priorities for the next 6 months in terms of mental health at work?
The business introduced its Employee Wellbeing initiative, Thrive, last year, which underpins the company’s mission to help people win at life and spans supporting employee physical, mental and financial wellbeing. XP Factory recognises that mental health is central to wellbeing and helping people be their best selves is not only the right thing to do but also helps the business flourish. We have Mental Health First Aiders within the business, and we are rolling out a programme to offer training to all people managers to support their teams and we are bringing people together who have an affinity with this area. The business offers lots of resources to our teams to support mental wellness and we are creating a culture of openness and acceptance across our diverse employee group.
Find out more about becoming a Mindful Employer Charter Signatory here.
Check out our 10 steps toolkit for building a mentally healthy workplace here.
