A new independent evaluation by the University of Edinburgh has highlighted the positive impact of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network, showing how it is helping organisations across Leeds create healthier, more supportive workplaces.
Commissioned by Leeds City Council and delivered by Leeds Mind, the Network is the only free local employer network of its kind in the UK. It supports employers to improve workplace mental health and wellbeing through events, resources, newsletters, one-to-one support and the Mindful Employer Charter.
The evaluation explored how organisations put the Network’s support into practice and what difference it makes within workplaces.
Turning ideas into action
The evaluation found that organisations are using what they learn from the Network in practical ways, including:
- Sharing resources and good practice across their organisation.
- Developing or updating workplace policies and strategies.
- Training staff to take on wellbeing roles.
- Supporting line managers to have better conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
- Running events and awareness activities for colleagues.
- Improving workplace environments, for example by creating dedicated wellbeing spaces.
These actions demonstrate how organisations are embedding wellbeing into everyday practice rather than treating it as a standalone initiative.
Building healthier workplace cultures
Participants reported that being part of the Network has had a positive impact on their organisations.
The evaluation found that the Network:
- Demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to workplace mental health.
- Helps create cultures where conversations about mental wellbeing are encouraged and supported.
- Provides opportunities for employers to share ideas, policies and practical learning with one another, particularly benefiting HR professionals and those leading on wellbeing.
Opportunities for the future
The evaluation also identified ways the Network could become even stronger.
Suggestions included:
- Creating more opportunities for employers to connect and share learning between events, such as through LinkedIn case studies and impact stories.
- Promoting the Network as a resource for everyone within an organisation, not just HR teams or senior leaders.
- Offering more sector-specific and topic-focused support, including areas such as becoming a Real Living Wage Employer, supporting unpaid carers in the workforce, and meeting the needs of start-ups and smaller organisations.
- Strengthening the message that investing in workplace wellbeing is not only the right thing to do but is also good for business.
Read the evaluation
The full evaluation report and executive summary are available on the PHIRST website.
If you’d like to discuss the findings or learn more about the evaluation, the University of Edinburgh research team has invited organisations to get in touch.
The findings provide valuable insight for anyone involved in developing healthier workplaces and offer practical learning that may also be relevant to other employer networks and partnerships across Leeds.
Leeds Mindful Employer Report (Summary)
Leeds Mindful Employer Network final report with appendices
