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Mental Health Awareness Week: Workplace wellbeing in action

The conversation around mental wellbeing in the workplace has never been more vital, and creating a work environment that encourage mental wellness is essential.

Leading up to Mental Health Awareness Week, we hear from industry leaders on how they are building inclusive and welcoming work environments, whether through training, policies or everyday acts, and why this need to be a year-round priority.

Mark Lewis, CEO of UK charity Hospitality Action

There are many simple and effective ways employers can create a mindful and balanced work environment that encourages open conversations. Employee check-ins, feedback surveys, wellbeing walks, the provision of wellbeing champions, mental health first-aiders or an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) are just some examples that remind hospitality workers they are not alone.

Our dynamic industry brings energy and excitement, but it can also place real demands on mental and physical wellbeing. Our mission is to help every employer embed wellbeing into the heart of all they do to create a lasting, positive impact. Ultimately, it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and heard, because when we look after each other, everyone thrives.

Majid Fadra MIH, group director of human resources at Foxhills Club & Resort

At Foxhills, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where wellbeing is at the forefront, both for our team members and guests. Our commitment to this includes offering flexible working patterns, generous leave policies, bespoke contracts and access to our wide range of wellness facilities. Team members are encouraged to participate in a range of activities, fitness classes and wellness programmes at our resort, and they also enjoy benefits such as a full Country Club membership, complimentary stays and various engagement initiatives like parties and awards nights. These efforts reflect our belief that a healthy, engaged team is key to providing excellent service to our members and guests.

The launch of our Foxhills Collection Academy provides ongoing training and resources, including mental health awareness, fitness tutorials, financial wellness tools and a wellbeing calendar through Vitality which the leadership team actively promote to team members. We continue to build on this by training 20 team members as Mental Health First Aiders. Looking ahead, we are launching new initiatives such as puppy therapies, to deepen our commitment to our team members wellbeing.

Madison Ayache, vice president of CTW Events 

At CTW Events, we believe a strong sense of community is fundamental to supporting mental wellbeing at work. When employees feel genuinely connected and valued, stress levels drop, job satisfaction increases and everyone feels more engaged.

Our team building experiences are designed to go beyond the traditional, proving that wellbeing and purpose go hand in hand. By offering CSR-focussed activities with a sense of purpose – such as our hygiene kit builds to help combat global hygiene poverty – the impact is amplified.

They help spark conversations that might not otherwise happen and create space for friendships to form which can become invaluable when someone needs a friendly ear. Teams leave not only feeling more connected, but also proud of doing something for the greater good together.

The power of a shared experience is not to be underestimated. It naturally breaks down barriers and helps create an environment where open dialogue can flourish. Employees feel more able to speak up, listen to one another and feel heard, making activities like this a simple, effective way to help build a workplace culture of care.

Nicky Kent, head of human resources at Central Hall Westminster

At Central Hall Westminster, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment starts with involving everyone. Our values underpin our approach to inclusivity and guide how we communicate with each other, our stakeholders and customers, always with respect and dignity from the start of employment. We make training and development a key focus, have introduced a new learning platform, and continuously review our policies to ensure they are inclusive and relevant for the team.

Keeping teams connected is just as important. Beyond regular meetings, our vision is to create an environment where every staff member feels part of a bigger family through genuine day-to-day interactions and collaborative initiatives. Our staff-led Focus Groups give colleagues a voice in shaping our long-term strategy, covering themes like wellbeing, sustainability and growth. We also stay connected through weekly updates, quarterly Town Halls, and an annual magazine-style review to celebrate achievements and highlight individuals who go above and beyond. It’s about building a culture where everyone feels seen, heard and empowered.

Helena Fitzgerald, senior sales and marketing manager at the National Gallery

One of our recent surveys revealed that 43% of respondents believe mindfulness enhances their work, highlighting the value in creating environments where people can recharge, feel inspired and thrive. At the National Gallery, we have embraced this idea, introducing small but powerful ways to help people feel more connected, through tea and chat breaks, lunchtime walks or yoga after hours. These safe, simple team moments encourage colleagues to pause and connect while taking note of both body and mind.

Supporting mental wellbeing also means giving individuals the flexibility to decide what works best for them, whether it be adjusting their schedule around meetings or sharing their own ideas for wellbeing activities. Empowering teams to lead on what they need creates a greater sense of inclusion and personal value.

To help support our commitment to wellbeing, we are also launching a collection of new event packages this May. Coinciding with the opening of the reimagined Sainsbury Wing, the packages built around our four pillars: creativity, mindfulness, enrichment and connection, will demonstrate how business events can help boost personal fulfilment as well as productivity.

Shonali Devereaux, chief executive of The Meetings Industry Association

The business meetings and events sector thrives on bringing people together to create unforgettable experiences, but how often do we pause to take a moment for ourselves? The answer is not enough. “There’s been no shortage of conversations around mental health in our industry, but meaningful action is still lacking. For an industry built on connection, we’re not doing enough to ensure our people – including leadership teams – feel psychologically safe and genuinely supported. Talking about resilience is one thing; building a culture that actively prioritises wellbeing is something else entirely. Essentially, we need less talk and more action.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a timely reminder that taking care of our people isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. By encouraging flexible, inclusive thinking and taking simple, consistent steps – like creating space for honest conversations – we can shape workplaces where everyone feels safe to be themselves. That’s why championing workforce wellbeing is a key priority for the MIA in 2025, because when we take care of our teams, the whole sector thrives.

Rafael Azzopardi, head of events at Regent’s Events  

Whether it’s having a comfortable, inclusive environment or encouraging individuals to step outside their comfort zones and try new activities, it’s evident that a one size fits all approach no longer works.

Businesses must create spaces that are flexible enough to support varied preferences, whether through mindfulness practices, physical activities or simply providing time for reflection and relaxation.

Just as we’ve tailored our Wellness DDR at Regent’s Events to offer a range of activities and food options that cater to diverse needs, companies can adopt a similar approach in the workplace to ensure that all staff members feel supported and valued. For employees to truly thrive, wellness isn’t just a buzzword, but a shared value initiative.

Heather Vinall, human resources assistant at Wotton House

We aim to create a culture where people feel safe, supported and able to speak openly by leading with empathy and showcasing positive behaviours, such as setting boundaries around work-life balance and encouraging honest conversations.

To encourage open conversations around mental health, we use tools like the Mental Health Charter, a dedicated wellbeing app, and frameworks such as ‘My Whole Self MOT’ during one-to-ones. These initiatives help normalise discussions around stress management, mental load and lifestyle, reducing stigma and ensuring everyone feels seen and heard – not just as employees, but as people.

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place 12-18 May 2025

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