MHR celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month 2025
This year, the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is community—a powerful reminder of the importance of support and connection. At MHR, we’ve been embracing this theme wholeheartedly, bringing people together to improve wellbeing, raise awareness, and foster inclusivity.
The importance of community
Sustainability is a core priority at MHR and sits at the forefront of how we do business. For us, it goes beyond environmental responsibilities; we also prioritise community, generations, trust and equality. Our partnership with Improving Lives is one way we show this commitment.
Improving Lives is a Nottingham-based charity supporting adults facing disadvantages or experiencing mental health challenges. Through their hard work, they help reduce social isolation, promote health, and enhance wellbeing, particularly in workplace settings.
Our support for Improving Lives takes many forms, from creative workshops to digital literacy sessions. Most recently, our graduates collaborated on a hands-on project to restore their garden space to create a welcoming, peaceful environment, just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Restoring a garden, developing wellbeing
When we first stepped into the garden, it was clear how much potential it had and how much it had been missed. The area had been overtaken by moss and weeds, the furniture was worn and weathered, leaving it unusable for the service users and staff who depend on this space as a sanctuary. Our team saw an opportunity to restore this important space, bringing it back to life for those who need it most.
We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Tackling the overgrowth, sanded and repainted furniture, and cleared away the weeds, transforming the space into a welcoming environment. We planted evergreens and herbs to ensure the garden could be used throughout the year and allow the service users to take something away. The results were instantly visible and knowing that our efforts would have a lasting positive impact on the charity’s community made the experience incredibly rewarding.
We’re so grateful to have been involved in this project and to have contributed in a hands-on way. As MHR graduates, experiences like this show us what it means to work for a business that genuinely cares not just about what it does, but how it impacts the world around it.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Another highlight event was Bingo and Bakes at Improving Lives, where service users, volunteers and staff gathered for a fun and engaging afternoon. Lynn Holdsworth, Stephen Ross, and Courtney Layzell from MHR attended the event and helped make the day special. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new service users and strengthen connections within the group, whilst celebrating an important cause.
Throughout the month, we also celebrated the many ways our employees at MHR give back to the community. From leading choir groups and running Girl Guides to championing nature preservation, MHR employees are making meaningful contributions that go far beyond the workplace.
A special spotlight this year went to our dedicated team of Mental Health First Aiders. These trained employees play a vital role across the business by offering support, guidance, and a listening ear to colleagues in need. Whether it's checking in with someone having a tough day or signposting to further resources, our Mental Health First Aiders help create a culture of openness, empathy, and care. Their presence is a testament to our ongoing commitment to employee wellbeing and the importance of peer support in the workplace.
This month, the People team also held a bake sale in support of Improving Lives, donating over £230 directly to the charity and planning to use £70 to buy an ornament to accompany their garden renovation. By continuing to build strong communities both inside and outside the workplace, we believe we can make lasting improvements to wellbeing for all.
