Making a Difference

This is what people say about the difference being made by MINDFUL EMPLOYER:

Company size really doesn’t matter – nor which  industry or sector it is in.  Encouraging an open and honest environment on mental health and wellbeing makes good business sense. There is growing concern about the impact of mental illness on businesses and it’s important to realise that employers can make a difference by reducing unwanted costs associated with sick absence at the same time. The MINDFUL EMPLOYER Charter is commonsense really!

Simon Kemp, AudioMSG

As part of our commitment to MINDFUL EMPLOYER we have entered into an annual contract with our local Gateshead MIND, to provide a confidential counselling service to all staff if they are encountering difficulties either at home or at work and feel they need some support. People self-refer and the sessions occur on neutral ground to ensure full confidentiality.

Gev Pringle, Director, Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council 

As publishers of One in Four, England's first national, aspirational, lifestyle magazine for people with mental health difficulties, being able to show the MINDFUL EMPLOYER logo helps Social Spider CIC to publicise and advertise our commitment to a better deal for all people who experience mental health difficulties.

Mark Brown, Editor, One in Four, Social Spider CIC

Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire is proud to manage the Swindon MINDFUL EMPLOYER Network working closely with NHS Swindon. Staging regular network meetings and a launch conference we have seen an increase in employers engaging in our activities. What is particularly pleasing is the response to the work. In a recent meeting with a local influencer he indicated that the conference had changed his understanding of mental health. He was able to identify symptoms of stress and depression in members of staff and help arrange coping strategies for those affected. MINDFUL EMPLOYER has taken off in Swindon but we know we face considerable challenges especially during uncertain economic times. We believe MINDFUL EMPLOYER has the appeal and flexibility to face those challenges!

David Latham, Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire

NHS Swindon is proud to be part of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER initiative. The sharing of experience and learning from other organisations is invaluable in enabling us to ensure appropriate awareness raised and advice and guidance provided to potential and existing employees and their managers to help reduce mental health concerns and issues in the workplace.  We have used information to inform our policies and procedures including Stress Management, Attendance Management and Recruitment and Retention, linked positive action into our workforce objectives and action planning, and also are working closely with local organisations such as Stepping Stones and Richmond Fellowship to explore options regarding return into employment for individuals with mental health issues.

Chris Howells, Head of HR & Corrina Evans, Health & Safety Advisor, NHS Swindon

We are relatively new to the MINDFUL EMPLOYER programme but it has already prompted us to think differently.  For example we are becoming more ‘caring’ about each in the office in terms of picking up when one of us might be stressed and require assistance.  We have also introduced lunchtime walks for anyone that wants to stretch their legs and enjoy a bit of time away from the desk – we think this is helping our afternoon concentration. Also, just recently on World Mental Health Day we decided to get out all the ‘stress toys’ we use for training and bring them into the office to play with which brought smiles to our faces and relieved some tension! 

Fiona Yorke, Managing Director, Ultimate U Limited

South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT) has proudly displayed and publicised our commitment to MINDFUL EMPLOYER and we have succeeded in encouraging our partner health and social care organisations in South Essex to join us in making the statement that we as major employers in the area are positive about the employment of people with mental health problems.
We also see Mindful Employer as a key component of our public health promotion agenda.  The MINDFUL EMPLOYER initiative has been a great way of engaging with our local communities and helping local businesses understand mental illness, thereby combating stigma and discrimination based on ignorance. MINDFUL EMPLOYER has been useful in helping managers and colleagues to understand and support people in their organisations who experience mental ill-health from time to time, and SEPT has demonstrated the benefits of supporting people appropriately and effectively to continue in employment through the provision of flexible working options.
The people working at SEPT are our greatest asset and MINDFUL EMPLOYER has helped us to value each person’s contribution and recognise that the organisation as a whole is enriched by the support we give to one another.

Jan Hutchinson , Vocational Services Manager, South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

As part of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER initiative Cornwall Care support the wellbeing of its staff through various policies and procedures within the organisation. These include coaching, counselling (we have our own counsellors or the option to refer externally), occupational health and performance management. These systems have facilitated the increase in awareness of employee health and well-being by not only empowering but enhancing staff moral and self-esteem. In addition our training encourages self exploration and expression and looks to address holistic well-being. By demonstrating active engagement of the principles we are able to demonstrate an enabling and positive attitude to prospective employees.

Angie Cavanagh, Head of Human Resources, Cornwall Care

As both a mental health charity and an employer, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind sees MINDFUL EMPLOYER as a valuable initiative for the organisation. With the depth of mental health knowledge already within the organisation, the MINDFUL EMPLOYER values will help HEY Mind build on its policies to further support those with mental health problems in the workplace, and to work with employers to encourage this. At HEY Mind, we already have projects in place to promote better mental health in the workplace. Our training arm, MindWorks, enables employers to train their workforce in key areas such as Mental Health Awareness and Stress Management in the Workplace. MindWorks actively market and speak to local employers to try and get them to realise the importance of mental health and the costs it can incur to their business. We believe in educating staff and pre-empting the problem in the short term, before it becomes a more costly sickness absence problem in the long term. Combined with the current work the organisation is doing with employers and employees, the MINDFUL EMPLOYER initiative and objectives helps Hull and East Yorkshire Mind to prove that we truly believe in the work we undertake.

Nick Tyldsley, Marketing & Promotions Officer, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind

Being a part of MINDFUL EMPLOYER and promoting mental health in the workplace has led to an awareness of the valuable contribution that employees with mental health conditions can make.  It has given the Trust the means to encourage staff and get the best from them whilst protecting from any specific factors that could work against them or ultimately do harm.

Christopher Chapman, Equalities Officer, County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

For many people experiencing mental health issues and considering returning work the issue of making a declaration about their experience causes no little anxiety.  Concern that they may be rejected at the first hurdle if they do declare and concern that they may not get the support they require if they don’t.  MINDFUL EMPLOYER has made a major contribution in encouraging employers to proactively address psychological well being in their workplaces and in their recruitment practices.  The simple act of an employer carrying the MINDFUL EMPLOYER logo is a powerful sign that psychological wellbeing is on the agenda both for current and prospective employees. Pluss is proud to be a charter signatory and will continue to support the development of MINDFUL EMPLOYER.

Tom Bromwich, General Manager, PLUSS

As our work is with people who experience anxiety/stress through to long-term mental health problems, we recognise the great importance of employers doing all they can to help/support their employees when they are going through an emotionally difficult time.

Sheila Chesney, Chief Executive, Basildon Mind

If you would like to make a contribution, please contact us. Depending on space and the number of contributions we receive, we may or may not be able to use all you write in full. If you would not like your name, title and organisation shown against the published text then please let us know

Back to previous contributions