25 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2021 Minds@Work Movement is a UK charity working to eradicate the stigma of mental illness in the workplace and create workplaces that enhance people’s mental wellbeing. Regarded as the most innovative nationwide mental health NPO, Minds@Work believes leaders should acknowledge mental wellbeing as a strategic driver for business growth; after all -- we can only thrive in the workplace when we feel well. As a charity, Minds@Work aspires to be independent, courageous, progressive, optimistic, and catalytic. The company produces free live and virtual events to inspire and equip people to enhance mental wellbeing at work. The events are open to everyone working at every level, in every industry, because Minds@ Work believes that everyone should participate in healthy workplace culture. Minds@Work uses its core values to keep its mission intact, including inclusiveness, integrity, compassion, collaboration and caring. April Doty, Head of Marketing at Minds@ Work, says, “When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, unprecedented pressure was put on individuals and businesses, and many of us struggled with our mental health. While some workers could access support through their workplace, no such support was available for others, especially small businesses. We all needed to feel genuine care, support, and human connection while remaining at a safe, social distance.” The company rose to this challenge by creating a new virtual peer support programme called Minds@Work HIVE, a 90-day journey toward a better wellbeing. The HIVE programme aims to develop supportive and enduring relationships that are good for mental wellbeing and improve the overall wellbeing of participants by inspiring, equipping and empowering them to make positive choices for their health. Additionally, HIVE participants set a goal to improve in one of the four pillars of health disclosed: sleep, eat, exercise, and relax. “HIVE is unlike any other programme out there; it is unique.” April states, “There are many virtual boards and forums where you can find support Most Innovative Nationwide Workplace Mental Health NPO 2021 from people who are going through a similar challenge, but HIVE isn’t that. HIVE is live -- you talk to real people, face to face, over video, for two hours every fortnight, going on a journey together. Two facilitators provide and demonstrate exercises that you practice in your group of six, and outside of the meetings, you connect in a private social space just for your HIVE.” Overall, Minds@ Word is a charity in which all its events are free. The company is known for producing inspiring events that make an impact and move people to action. “We don’t have competitors, only collaborators - our strength comes from the diverse nature of our generous community, which includes HR Directors and other leaders, wellbeing service providers and people who have recovered from mental illness,” April states. People join Minds@Work because they share its mission and want to collaborate with others in the community to make a difference. The company relies on funding from large companies who also share in the same mission as well. Furthermore, Minds@Work sees a bright future for HIVE because it believes it could scale to care for thousands of people in a safe, supportive environment. “We imagine HIVE for a variety of different audiences who share common ground. For instance, we could run a HIVE for ‘working women struggling with menopause’, ‘young people entering the workplace for the first time’, or ‘men in the construction industry.’ HIVE is all about facilitating the honest, sometimes vulnerable conversations that can lead to lasting friendships that are good for your mental health.” Classed as a smaller charity with two part- time employees but with a large community of generous contributors, Minds@Work is highly creative and fuelled by a passion for recognising and supporting mental health. While described as small, Minds@Work has affected thousands of people, changing the taboo around mental health in the workplace and life. Contact Name: April Doty Web Address: https://www.mindsatworkmovement.com/ Email:
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