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Supporting your People

Facilitate peer support and connection

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Suggested Actions

Business size:
Micro
Establish and support peer roles such as mental health champions, buddying or peer mentoring

Set out what peer supporters can and cannot provide, give them preparation and ensure they have somewhere to seek advice or support themselves.

Micro
Build in time and opportunities for informal peer support between colleagues such as buddying or regular one-to-one conversations

Protect time for connection and offer simple formats, while making participation voluntary and respecting personal boundaries.

Small, Medium & Large
Establish and support peer roles such as mental health champions, buddying or peer mentoring across all levels of the organisation

Coordinate roles across teams or locations, keep them visible and provide consistent training, support and role boundaries.

Encourage and support people to share lived experience where they feel comfortable to do so

Ask permission before sharing someone’s story, make clear that saying no has no consequences and allow the person to decide what remains private.

Support peer groups or spaces for people to connect through shared experiences or identities such as neurodivergence, LGBTQIA+, carers or menopause

Involve potential members in setting purpose, access and confidentiality arrangements so groups feel safe and relevant.

Promote and provide access to wider networks and groups that support connection such as professional or external peer networks

Identify credible networks, explain who they are for and allow reasonable access where participation supports wellbeing or professional connection.

Create regular opportunities for people to connect so they can build relationships, talk, support each other and ask for help at work

Design inclusive opportunities within the working day so connection does not depend only on unpaid time, particular shifts or existing social groups.

Resources & Downloads

Setting up Staff Networks - CIPD
Staff groups is an informal term often used to describe networks of people in a workplace who have similar interests, characteristics, and so on. Staff groups can create a supportive environment and tackle isolation and loneliness at work.
"I'm worried about a team member" guide - Mindwell
When someone’s struggling with their mental health, it isn’t always obvious. Changes in behaviour, mood, or performance at work can be signs – but they may also be caused by other life stresses, like caring responsibilities, money worries, or relationship issues.
Peer Support at Work - Leeds Mind
By ‘peer support’ we mean employees/volunteers/members/etc offering support to one another in a mutual space as part of the organisation. Peer support enables people to talk to others who have a shared experience.
Carer events and groups - Carers Leeds
Join Carers Leeds for workshops, groups, and Help Hubs across the city. Get guidance, connect with others, and explore support for your caring role.
Guide and Signposting to Peer Support - Mental Health Foundation
Different types of peer support, what peer support can help with, how to find peer support, and is peer support right for you?
Finding Peer Support Groups - Mind
Support groups are where people with similar experiences can connect and support each other.
Peer Support Groups - Rethink Mental Illness
Our groups provide empathy, acceptance and reassurance for people who have been through similar experiences. They provide a listening ear, friendship and social support that makes coping with life’s challenges that bit easier.
Lived Experience Network - Together UK
Our Lived Experience Network is a brand new, free, members based community open to those who have experienced their own mental distress, with the hope to make a positive difference to their lives in addition to influencing wider change in mental health social care!
5 Low-Investment Activities for Workplace Social Wellbeing - Joy Junction
A practical, human-first guide for HR and wellbeing leads to create genuine connection, break down silos, and build a thriving workplace culture, without needing a massive budget.

The Toolkit

Illustration of a lady wearing a blue jumper and glasses speaking with a man, whilst taking notes
Theme
Leading the Way

Engaging with your employees to increase their awareness of mental health in the workplace is a priority.

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Illustration of a lady wearing a blue jumper and glasses holding up a list of actions with a blue tick next to them
Theme
Designing Good Work

Help your employees to understand their role in positive mental wellbeing. Help build confidence in your team and reduce stigma.

See all Tasks
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Theme
Supporting your People

Implement a solid approach to prevent bullying & discrimination and use sustainable methods to support employees.

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Get Involved

Leeds Mindful Employer Network

The Leeds Mindful Employer Network brings local employers together to champion positive mental health at work. The Network is unique to Leeds, putting the city at the forefront of workplace mental health and wellbeing.
Mindful Employer

Becoming a Mindful Employer opens your business and staff up to a bunch of benefits. From quarterly peer support events to learn and newsletters and bulletins to keep you informed to local training, tools and resources.