Mental Health Awareness Week: What a Meaningful Approach to Workplace Wellbeing Looks Like

Learning from Rudding Park

Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to talk honestly about mental health at work, and to share what good support looks like in practice.

At Mind in Harrogate District, we’re fortunate to work with employers who are willing to move beyond awareness campaigns and into meaningful action. Rudding Park is one such organisation, showing how workplace wellbeing can be embedded into everyday culture rather than treated as a one‑off initiative.

Working in hospitality brings its own set of pressures. The industry is fast‑paced, customer‑facing and often unpredictable, requiring people to stay calm, friendly and professional even during busy or challenging moments.

As Rudding Park’s Charity of the Year, this partnership is rooted in shared values, collaboration and a genuine commitment to people – both within the organisation and across the wider community.

Moving away from “one size fits all” support

Mental health is not static. People experience challenges differently, and their needs change over time. That’s why effective workplace wellbeing can’t rely on a single intervention.

Rudding Park has taken a tiered approach to mental health support, designed to be flexible, accessible and responsive – offering support early where possible, and clear routes into specialist help when needed.

What that looks like in practice

Rather than relying on one form of support, Rudding Park’s wellbeing offer brings together several complementary layers:

Monthly onsite counselling support

Confidential support available directly in the workplace, helping remove barriers such as travel and making it easier for colleagues to seek help early.

Ongoing counselling with Mind in Harrogate District

Where more in‑depth or longer‑term support is needed, staff can be referred into counselling with Mind in Harrogate District.

Mental Health First Aiders and confident managers

A visible network of trained MHFAiders, alongside skilled and supportive managers, helps ensure concerns are noticed early and that colleagues receive timely workplace support and signposting.

Together, these elements create a joined‑up approach to wellbeing – offering reassurance that help is available, whatever someone might be experiencing.

Building internal confidence through MHFA training

A key part of this work has been investing in people. In April, Mind in Harrogate delivered Mental Health First Aid training to a full cohort of 16 newly trained MHFAiders at Rudding Park. Alongside existing trained colleagues, this means there are now 23 Mental Health First Aiders supporting staff across the organisation.

This helps normalise conversations about mental health and ensures support is visible, approachable and embedded into day‑to‑day working life.

“Everyone you work with will be carrying something you can’t see. A win, a loss, pressure, relief, something heavy, something to celebrate. They won’t say it out loud. But you will feel it when they speak, in how they look at you, on how they respond. Mental Health First Aid training equips people to recognise these hidden experiences and take action — creating more supportive and understanding workplaces.”
– Callum Bowmer, Resort Head Chef, Rudding Park.

Why collaboration makes the difference

What makes this work particularly impactful is the way it has been developed collaboratively, thoughtfully and with a long‑term view.

Holly Astbury, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind in Harrogate District, said:

“Effective workplace wellbeing isn’t about quick fixes or ticking a box – it’s about taking the time to understand an organisation and working together to build something that genuinely supports people. It’s been brilliant to work so collaboratively with Rudding Park, who consistently show a real commitment to their staff’s mental health.”

Leadership support has also played a crucial role in ensuring wellbeing is not treated as a bolt‑on, but as part of organisational culture.

“We’re delighted to be working with Mind in Harrogate District on a range of initiatives to support our team at Rudding Park. Workplace wellbeing isn’t one size fits all it’s about creating a culture where people feel confident to reach out, listen, and help each other early. The most recent MHFA training has given our teams the skills and knowledge to ensure our people continue to feel supported through clear pathways and a culture that encourages early, open conversations”
– Sophie Baker, Head of People and Culture, Rudding Park.

Supporting wellbeing beyond the workplace

Being chosen as Rudding Park’s Charity of the Year means a great deal to us. Their fundraising and advocacy help strengthen mental health support across Harrogate District.

All surplus income from our workplace wellbeing and training services is reinvested directly into local mental health support, helping us reach more people through community services and early intervention.

By working with Mind in Harrogate District, organisations like Rudding Park are not only supporting their own staff – they are helping to strengthen mental health support for the wider community too.

Mental Health Awareness Week: celebrating what works

Mental Health Awareness Week is about more than recognising challenges; it’s also about celebrating what happens when organisations take wellbeing seriously.

Rudding Park’s approach shows what’s possible when prevention, accessibility and partnership come together. We’re incredibly grateful for this collaboration and proud to be working alongside an organisation that is investing in both its people and its community.