The Mates in Mind Impact Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the effort and good work of large organisations, SMEs and individuals across the UK who are going above and beyond to drive a positive improvement across their organisation and their workforces’ in relation to mental health.

Despite going into a second lockdown and the difficulty this causes, the charity said this year has presented a unique opportunity to pause, reflect and focus on our own mental health and that of those around us.

James Rudoni, managing director of Mates in Mind, said: “This pandemic, and the subsequent lockdowns, has brought disruption to our lives and our businesses on a scale previously unknown in peacetime, fear for our physical and mental wellbeing and the health of those around us, grief to those who have lost loved ones and it has brought economic uncertainty for many.

“In light of this, we are working closely with forward-thinking workplaces across the UK to immediately review their workplace’s mental health plans, ensure they have pro-active strategies in place to support their people, and that they know how, where and when to access crisis support.”

The 2019 winner of the Large Organisation category, Seddon Construction said: “We are aware that the nature of work is changing and that workforces are incredibly diverse, with an increasing number of people working remotely and requiring more flexibility than ever before. As such, it is vital that we consider the needs of our entire workforce, including those working part-time, on shift patterns or on a temporary basis, particularly those with additional needs or at a higher risk of stress or trauma.”

The awards are adjudicated by an independent panel of leading industry experts and this year, our adjudicators will be searching for not just intention and engagement, but for evidence of measurable impact from this year’s applicants.

Find out more about the 2021 Mates in Mind Impact Awards and how to take part on our website or by reaching out to the team at support@matesinmind.org.