Weaving Mental Health into the Fabric of the organisation

The challenge

Like many manufacturing organisations, AW Hainsworth recognised that employees can experience a wide range of pressures both inside and outside work. The business wanted to ensure mental health was understood in the same way as physical health, reduce stigma and give colleagues and managers the confidence to recognise when someone might need support. Rather than relying on awareness campaigns alone, the organisation wanted to embed mental health awareness into everyday working life.

Approach in action

AW Hainsworth has taken a long-term approach to building mental health awareness across the organisation. Rather than relying on one-off campaigns or awareness days, the business has embedded mental health into everyday working life through a combination of onsite counselling, monthly wellbeing sessions delivered by Unmasked Mental Health, Mental Health First Aider training and ongoing opportunities for colleagues to learn and talk about mental health. 

A key milestone has been training 25 colleagues – around 10% of the workforce – as Mental Health First Aiders, helping to build confidence across the organisation to recognise when someone may be struggling and encourage them to access appropriate support. Alongside this, leaders continue to reinforce the importance of mental health through regular communication, participation in awareness initiatives and a visible commitment to employee wellbeing.

The organisation has further strengthened its approach by signing the Mindful Employer Charter and becoming an active member of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network, using opportunities to share learning, exchange good practice and continue developing its mental health strategy. 

Impact and learning

AW Hainsworth has seen encouraging signs that its long-term approach is helping to create a more open culture around mental health. The organisation has tracked engagement with counselling sessions and monthly wellbeing meetings, alongside monitoring reasons for staff absence to better understand the impact of its approach. Training Mental Health First Aiders across 10% of the workforce has also helped build confidence to recognise when colleagues may be struggling and encourage earlier conversations about mental health.

The organisation has learned that improving mental health awareness is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. While it is proud of the progress made, it continues to develop its approach, recognising that maintaining awareness, investing in people and keeping conversations going are essential to creating lasting cultural change.

Key takeaway for other employers

Building mental health awareness takes sustained commitment rather than one-off campaigns. Investing in training, creating regular opportunities to learn and talk about mental health, and continuing to reinforce key messages over time can help reduce stigma, build confidence and create a workplace where people feel able to seek support when they need it.