A specialist employment law firm which focuses on mental health in the workplace is hosting a conference for business and HR leaders on World Mental Health Day.
The Thriving Minds conference, organised by Leeds-based Thrive Law, is taking place on Wednesday 10th October at The Mansion in Roundhay. The event will raise awareness of the work that Leeds Mind and Mindful Employer do to support employers and employees with mental health in the workplace.
It marks a year since the CEO of Mind, Paul Farmer and Steve Dennison produced the ‘Thriving at work report’ which uncovered surprising statistics around the cost of mental health to the UK economy.
Annually, mental ill health costs UK employers between £33 billion and £42 billion each year through sick absence and staff turnover. It also impacts the government with between £24 billion and £278 billion in lost tax revenue, benefits and NHS costs.
Alongside this, 300,000 employees with long term mental health problems lose their job each year. It is this human impact that both Thrive Law and Leeds Mind are working actively to prevent.
Speaking about the event, Jodie Hill commented:
“The ‘Thriving Minds’ conference was created to raise awareness of the importance of enabling both employers and employees to thrive in the workplace. The ‘Thriving at work’ report needs support to gain traction within businesses across the UK. Therefore the objective of the day is to empower business owners with the skills and tools that they need to create a good working culture that is focused on wellbeing and positive mental health.
“The statistics from the report can’t continue, we need to fundamentally change the way we support our workforce and start to implement the recommended core standards which will enable both our team and business to thrive.”
Founded in 2018 by managing director Jodie Hill, Thrive Law works to enable both employers and employees across Yorkshire to thrive in the workplace.
Jodie has always been a keen ambassador for raising awareness of mental health issues and has recently set up a political campaign, to push towards mental health first aiders being compulsory in the workplace. The campaign is gaining national traction, with high-profile individuals such as Alastair Campbell endorsing it on social media.
With talks from key influencers and mental health experts, as well as workshops and resources, the Thriving Minds conference will provide attendees with an array of perspectives, including insight from mindful employers and individuals sharing their lived experience of mental health issues.
The event, which will run from 9-5.30pm, is part of The Yorkshire Mafia’s ‘Leeds Business Week’ and is sponsored by Leeds-based creative start-up Research Retold, which helps academic researchers to present their key findings in creative and engaging graphics.
Speakers at the conference include The Yorkshire Post deputy business editor, Greg Wright, event sponsor and founder of Research Retold, Mihaela Gruia, Fiona Devenney, manager at Leeds Mind and ex- England Sevens rugby captain and wellbeing advocate, Rob Vickerman.
Commenting on the Thriving Minds conference, Rob Vickerman said:
“Mental health is quite rightly taking its place at the forefront of wellbeing, and it is a pleasure to be part of the Thriving Minds conference on World Mental Health Day.
“Wellbeing is far more than a perception of ‘being well’ and by opening up conversations, showing support and guidance to those who may need it and by days such as this we will achieve more together.”
Alongside the talks and subject specific workshops, the conference will include lunch and refreshments, as well as networking opportunities with likeminded businesspeople and influencers from across the region. The event will also be raising money for Leeds Mind.
