Making Health Whole at Work

About the organisation

Mednets' work is centred on the principle of Making Health Whole – seeing the person beyond their diagnosis and ensuring communications meet the needs of everyday people. This philosophy also shapes the organisation's approach to supporting its own people.

The Challenge

Mednet recognises that everyone experiences mental health differently and that the support people need will vary from person to person. As the organisation has grown while operating largely remotely, it has also recognised the importance of helping colleagues feel connected, supported and part of a community.

Approach in practice

Open conversations with colleagues are an important part of Mednet's approach. The organisation encourages employees to share suggestions, discuss what is working well and identify any challenges they are experiencing. These conversations help the organisation understand individual needs rather than making assumptions about the support people may require.

Every member of the team has an individual Wellbeing Action Plan. These plans help colleagues identify what support works best for them, recognise their typical signs of stress and explain how they navigate stressful situations. This gives managers a better understanding of how each member of the team works and helps them provide support that reflects individual needs.

Alongside this, Mednet brings colleagues together through regular in-person and online social activities to help people stay connected while working remotely. The organisation also supports people returning to employment through its partnership with Workplace Leeds, providing mentoring, work experience and CV support to help people rebuild confidence and return to work.

Impact and learning

For Mednet, supporting mental health means recognising that there is no single approach that works for everyone. Taking time to understand each individual, maintaining open conversations and using Wellbeing Action Plans to shape support have become important parts of how the organisation supports its people. The organisation also believes that creating opportunities for colleagues to feel connected and part of a community is vital to supporting positive wellbeing at work.

Key takeaway for other employers

People's mental health needs are different and can change over time. Regular conversations and tools such as Wellbeing Action Plans can help managers understand what support works best for each individual, enabling a more personalised and responsive approach to mental health at work.