Keep In Mind, 28 Central Park, Halifax (2025)

23/07/2023

Harmonising Minds.........

One of my very first posts I placed on here after joining Facebook was to inform of a new mental health and wellbeing initative that I had introduced into the workplace.

A workplace choir called Tune In.

I came up with an idea back in 2019, following a random conversation with the two founders of OnSong, George Bell & Greg Staw, to set up a number of small groups, across Lloyds Banking Group, where colleagues could come together and not just learn to sing, but improve their own mental wellbeing.

Tune In was formed and over 300 colleagues participated, culminating in a grand finale in London and raising nearly £50k for our charity partner then MHUK and not to mention the wellbeing benefits it had to those who took part

So, why tell this now?

After a few (many!) conversations, I am so pleased to announce:

''HARMONISING MINDS'' 👏 👏 👏

our reborn workplace choir!

This time around we have an expanded programme, delivering six simultaneous lunchtime singing groups between September and Christmas, taking place around the country from Edinburgh down to Bristol.

Colleagues will also be raising funds for our Charity Partner, Crisis (working with Simon Community in Northern Ireland) and helping to end homelessness.

We launched at the beginning of this week and the response has been phenomenal with over 200 signed up to date in just 3 days!! 👏

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so much to get this from just another idea I had, to now making it a reality.......and we have so many surprises along the way that will make this something very very special.

Having the opportunity to have fun, collaborate, learn to sing, meet new people, improve your own mental wellbeing and then learn about the great work Crisis do whilst raising funds for them (via the release of a song at Christmas....that's one surprise that is no longer a surprised 😀 !).......why wouldn't you want to join?

And if you think the attached picture is good (our new choir logo)...you haven't seen nothing yet!

08/02/2023

A great start to the week…

I had the pleasure to be invited back to Mansfield Pollard & Co Ltd to deliver my NEW bespoke workshop “Mental Health In The Workplace” to their Board, Senior Leadership and Team Leaders.

This 3.5 hour workshop split into 4 key sections covered:-

🤝Introduction to mental health - what it is; what it isn’t; it’s impact on us and our teams.

🎭Spotting the signs of poor mental health and specific conditions- behaviours, emotional and physical.

✅A wellbeing check-in - Having great and safe conversations and making sure words don’t become labels.

🏥Creating a Healthier workplace - it’s more than just healthy eating and exercise…it’s about creating an “Engine Room”

All attendees were provided a 📒to take away covering all the materials discussed throughout the workshop and it was great to see the positive interactions throughout the session.

Attendees were provide the opportunity at the end to give written feedback and with every attendee scoring that they would:

“highly recommend the workshop to others” 👏

Attendees were also asked on a scale of 1-5 “How Would you rate the course and it’s delivery”?

The average score an amazing 4.5😊

I am sure many of us recognise that designing and delivering workshops on this subject are not always easy and we don’t have a magic 🪄 or silver bullet to all the different situations mental health in the workplace presents.

BUT we do at times have the opportunities companies like Mansfield Pollard provide to make that difference….and this is one company making a HUGE DIFFERENCE.

Intrigued to know more about this workshop either as one delivery or possibly smaller seperate sessions and what it could bring to your organisation? Feel Free to contact me

01/12/2022

I often ask for a platform to talk on all things mental health & wellbeing.......

Yesterday, I was literally provided with a raised platform (that's me in the blue high vis jacket)

I was invited along by Louise Frankland & Bryan Bentley, co-owners of Mansfield Pollard & Co Ltd to host a mental health and wellbeing conversation with their employees.

I often talk around (particularly on here) how we have to make the conversation REAL not just in words and actions but also the environment in which we operate, be that work or home.

Had the session yesterday been run in a nice cosy meeting room, white cloths on table and coffee on tap, I honesty believe the impact and subsequent response post the session would not have been the same.

Yesterday, was all about taking the conversation literally to the 'shop floor' ...a floor and space the size of an aircraft hanger and for me this was a first and I intend not to be the last.

I talked around my own personal journey and the challenges I had to overcome, but more importantly, the steps and coping mechanisms that we can all put in place to aid recovery plus the power of conversation and how this can be not just life changing, but life saving....- we just need to know how to start the engagement.

Achieving success and making a difference to employees wellbeing is not just about hosting sessions like these, it's also about how to embed positive wellbeing change that is recognised both from top down and bottom up......Mansfield Pollard & Co Ltd epitomises this very approach.

29/11/2022

It made the news....✍️

Delighted to see that our wellbeing initiative 'Growing for Growth' has made the regional news 👩‍🌾

As a keen gardener myself, I know only too well of the overall positive benefits being outside has to our wellbeing 🦾

All this came about from reading an article that Louise Iredale had posted which got me thinking on how we could scale this up and introduce to colleagues within Group Chief Operating Office (GCOO) at Lloyds Banking Group, especially as we enter the change in seasons which can be difficult for many people.

A few meetings later and in a matter of weeks we launched 'Growing for Growth' and which ''grows'' from strength to strength (sorry, couldn't resist that!😂)

Sometimes we have try different things, just like we did back in 2019 with our TUNEIn Choir and by doing so we not only introduce support mechanisms, tools and techniques for our mental wellbeing, but also start conversations on more topical environmental and social issues that affect ALL OF US.
Growing for Growth, ticks all the boxes👏

And coming up, In December we have invited The Woodland Trust one of our charity partners to join us at a live session, where we will learn all things arounds responsible foraging plus the benefits of reconnecting with nature....

So, I will leave you to have a read of the article below and I would love to hear any feedback or any similar initiatives you have planned for your employees..

If your a Lloyds colleague and would like to know more and hopefully join us one lunchtime (virtual or in person)..just drop me a message for more details.

We have lots more planned for next year plus an extra special event...more to follow...

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/.../halifax-mans...

29/11/2022

It made the news....✍️

Delighted to see that our wellbeing initiative 'Growing for Growth' has made the regional news 👩‍🌾

As a keen gardener myself, I know only too well of the overall positive benefits being outside has to our wellbeing 🦾

All this came about from reading an article that Louise Iredale had posted which got me thinking on how we could scale this up and introduce to colleagues within Group Chief Operating Office (GCOO) at Lloyds Banking Group, especially as we enter the change in seasons which can be difficult for many people.

A few meetings later and in a matter of weeks we launched 'Growing for Growth' and which ''grows'' from strength to strength (sorry, couldn't resist that!😂)

Sometimes we have try different things, just like we did back in 2019 with our TUNEIn Choir and by doing so we not only introduce support mechanisms, tools and techniques for our mental wellbeing, but also start conversations on more topical environmental and social issues that affect ALL OF US.

Growing for Growth, ticks all the boxes👏

And coming up, In December we have invited The Woodland Trust one of our charity partners to join us at a live session, where we will learn all things arounds responsible foraging plus the benefits of reconnecting with nature....

So, I will leave you to have a read of the article below and I would love to hear any feedback or any similar initiatives you have planned for your employees..

If your a Lloyds colleague and would like to know more and hopefully join us one lunchtime (virtual or in person)..just drop me a message for more details.

We have lots more planned for next year plus an extra special event...more to follow...

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/people/halifax-mans-initiative-helps-lloyds-banking-group-staff-improve-mental-well-being-3933252

21/10/2022

I genuinely believe that we all go through storms in our lives, have a story to be told and have a reason for being who we are.

That story or that significant event may not be that one defining moment that changes our lives.......but is it our emotional response to it either at the time or years after.

How can we then use this as a catalyst to better inform, better educate and make a difference regardless of how small or insignificant?

Being afforded any platform to get this message across, is in some ways for me a sense of duty and responsibility.

Only by working and supporting each other can we make a difference.

I am therefore delighted to have been asked by deliver a talk in this the first Football Mental Health Alliance webinar.

In association with West Riding County Football Association Limited, this free webinar will take place on Monday 14th November 2022 at 6.30pm.

If you work or are involved in football at any level or if you have an interest in learning about and building your own or others' mental health, then this webinar will benefit you.

West Riding FA is working towards making this CDP accredited and we will announce this ASAP.

For more information and to book your free place, visit the link below

http://www.thefmha.com/events

19/08/2022

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but rising in every time we do fall”

A famous quote by the late amazing Nelson Mandela.

This month thousands of our young people will receive their GCSE, A LEVEL and other professional

BUT for many, successful grades may not have been achieved.

This can be a lonely, anxious, stressful and frightening time for students who are just barely young adults and whom don’t have maybe the resilience and life experiences us older people have.

They may not know how and who to reach out to ask for help, have a conversation, discuss how they feel.

Life is a continuous exam and in many ways when we fail in certain situations, that is our greatest achievement.

Why?

We learn from our failure, we adapt, we become more resilient and then we have the opportunity to share our learnings with others.

So, to those students, their families who may think success is measured just in a qualification, it’s not.

Of course their will be huge disappointment, but you also have a life ahead of you filled with great opportunities, adventures and excitement just waiting to be discovered.

This present situation DOES NOT and WILL NOT define the person you will become and in the months and years ahead, this feeling and situation will become a learning point for reference not your residence.

Reach out if you are struggling as there willl always be someone their to hold your hand and guide you.

Parents, guardians…..a hug, words of reassurance may be just what’s needed and it takes seconds to do but will feel priceless and immeasurable to the person receiving it.

11/08/2022

Appreciation and a simple thank you 🙏 really does make a difference.

Another great piece of feedback I received yesterday from a client I had supported

10/08/2022

It makes it all worthwhile….

A few weeks ago I delivered a key note presentation to the Civil Nuclear Police Constabulary at their team away day.

Yesterday I received the message below from the organiser of the event.

“Martin's journey is remarkable, and I'm grateful he accepted the invitation to speak at our Team Away Day. I enjoyed the simplicity of some of the concepts and techniques Martin shared. After listening to Martin's experiences, I've started shifting my mindset to see the positives and believe in myself more. Thank you!
Please continue sharing your story - your kindness and positivity are lighting up the dark. "

26/07/2022

Getting ready to deliver a keynote talk to the Nuclear Constabulary Police at their away day today in Oxford.

11/07/2022

A workshop designed from experience, delivered with authenticity and with one ultimate aim….”To Make A Difference”

If interested in attending, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message - next workshop being run in September.

Can also be run as a bespoke workshop for individual organisations.

www.keepin-mind.co.uk

30/06/2022

Great day at the Grove Hotel presenting to delegates on how to create a Mental Health & Wellbeing strategy that really does work, plus other useful tips and techniques.

And in both of my talks I did not once mention statistics or numbers nor a graph or a chart.

Why?

Employees are not numbers or statistic on a chart and graph. They are unique individuals like you and I, with a story to tell…and we all
have our own stories to tell

What to learn more….don’t hesitate reach out.

Keep In Mind

23/07/2023

08/02/2023

01/12/2022

29/11/2022

29/11/2022

21/10/2022

19/08/2022

11/08/2022

10/08/2022

26/07/2022

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30/06/2022

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