Beyond Awareness

A mental health awareness course for managers

At a Glance:

  • Who it’s for: Managers with responsibility for people

  • Duration: 1-day workshop

  • Format: Interactive, practical and discussion-based

  • Delivery: In-person (recommended) or live online

  • Coaching: Optional 1:1 online coaching to embed learning

  • Focus: Building confidence, skills and self-awareness to proactively manage mental health

  • Outcomes: Confident, self-aware managers creating healthier, higher-performing teams

  • Group size: Max 16 to encourage participation and reflection

  • Approach: Evidence-informed, practical and immediately applicable

  • Customisation: Tailored to your organisation’s needs

Managers occupy a uniquely demanding and influential role—balancing organisational expectations while shaping the day-to-day experience of their teams. They are often the first to notice when something isn’t right, and as role models, their behaviours are quickly reflected in those around them. Research from the Health and Safety Executive highlights that managers are one of the most cited causes of work-related stress, underscoring the scale of their influence.

Yet many managers are not equipped to fully use this position. Without the confidence, skills or self-awareness to proactively manage mental health, opportunities to support both people and performance are often missed.

Beyond Awareness is designed to change that.

This practical, manager-focused programme goes beyond basic awareness to build real capability. Managers learn how to recognise early signs of distress, have confident and appropriate conversations, and guide team members to the right support—while maintaining clear, healthy boundaries for themselves.

Crucially, the programme also develops self-awareness. Managers gain insight into how their own behaviours, communication style and responses to pressure directly impact both their wellbeing and that of their team—and how to model positive, sustainable ways of working.

The result is confident, resilient managers who create healthier, more productive teams and contribute to a stronger, more positive workplace culture.

“The mental health awareness course for managers received excellent feedback from the 70+ attendees. Managers reported increased confidence in recognising early signs of poor mental health and in having proactive, supportive conversations. The sessions also strengthened collaboration, with managers supporting and learning from one another, helping to build a more connected, resilient, and supportive workplace culture.”

Tracey Middleton-Lee, Health and Wellbeing Specialist, Heidelberg Materials UK

Leading with Impact

A transformational leadership programme.

At a Glance

  • Who it’s for: New and first- and second-line managers, including technical specialists transitioning into people leadership

  • Duration: 2 x 2-day in-person workshops delivered over 4–6 months

  • Format: Cohort-based learning combining workshops and coaching

  • Delivery: In-person workshops with online 1:1 coaching

  • Coaching: 3 x individual coaching sessions per participant between workshops

  • Pre-programme: Optional benchmarking and 360 feedback

  • Post-programme: Optional monthly group coaching sessions (3 months) to sustain progress

  • Focus: Developing both leadership capability (“Being”) and practical leadership behaviours (“Doing”)

  • Outcomes: Self-aware, emotionally intelligent leaders who lead with clarity, consistency and confidence under pressure

  • Group Size: 8-10 participants

  • Approach: Science-backed, practical and tailored to align with your organisation’s leadership frameworks

  • Customisation: Tailored to your organisations needs

Managers stepping into leadership roles face a significant shift—from delivering results themselves to leading through others. At the same time, increasing pressure, complexity and change are placing growing demands on both managers and their teams. Many leadership programmes focus on developing key skills such as communication, feedback and conflict management. While important, these alone are not enough to sustain effective leadership in real-world environments.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Georgie Steeples to combine our collective expertise and decades of experience into a programme that goes beyond skills alone.

This practical, science-backed programme develops both the internal capability to lead (“Being”) and the behaviours required to lead effectively (“Doing”). Through a blend of interactive workshops and 1:1 coaching, managers build the self-awareness, emotional intelligence and resilience needed to lead with clarity and consistency—alongside the practical skills to communicate effectively, navigate challenge and create psychologically safe, high-performing teams.

The result is leaders who don’t just know what to do—but are able to apply it consistently under pressure—driving stronger performance, engagement and culture.

Leadership Coaching

Space for leaders to remove barriers to goals and performance

At a Glance

  • Who it’s for: Leaders and aspiring managers (those stepping into or growing into leadership roles)

  • Duration: Varies but typically 6 sessions over 12 weeks

  • Format: 1 hour sessions, 1:1 confidential coaching

  • Delivery: Online (flexible to fit around working schedules)

  • Focus: Supporting leaders to gain clarity, build self-awareness and move forward from challenges that may be holding them back

  • Common themes: Confidence, difficult conversations, navigating change, managing complexity, stress, burnout, overwhelm and work–life balance (not exhaustive)

  • Approach: Reflective, practical and outcome-focused—combining space to think with clear actions to move forward

  • Outcomes: Leaders who feel clearer, more in control and better equipped to lead themselves and others effectively

Leadership coaching creates the space leaders rarely have.  It provides a confidential, non-judgemental space for leaders to pause, reflect and gain fresh perspective. Away from the day-to-day pressures, it offers the opportunity to work through challenges and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Through structured, focused conversations, coaching helps leaders to explore how they think, respond and make decisions —building self-awareness, shifting unhelpful patterns alongside practical strategies for action. Whether navigating complexity, managing pressure, struggling with confidence, facing change or feeling stuck, coaching supports leaders to unlock new ways of thinking, strengthen their impact and become more effective, intentional leaders.

"Elain's coaching helped me navigate a difficult period in my career with clarity and confidence. The tools and strategies I learnt continue to help me manage stress, work challenges and work-life balance"

Simon Wycherley, Director, Aggregate Industries UK

Educate and Empower

A series of webinars and workshops to equip staff with the knowledge and tools to boost performance

At a Glance

  • Who it’s for: All employees or tailored groups within an organisation

  • Duration: Flexible (From 1 hour to full day)

  • Format: Practical, interactive workshops and webinars

  • Delivery: Online for large groups or in-person for smaller, more focused sessions

  • Common Topics: Managing change, resilience, stress management, communication, conflict, motivation, procrastination, productivity, overthinking, sleep, energy, work-life balance (Not exhaustive list!)

  • Focus: Building skills, awareness and tools to improve performance, resilience and wellbeing

  • Outcomes: More confident, capable and resilient employees who are better equipped to perform and thrive at work

  • Group Size: Flexible from 5-500

  • Approach: Evidence-based, interactive, highly practical tools

  • Customisation: Tailored to the organisation, audience and current challenges

A series of practical, evidence-based workshops and webinars designed to equip employees with the knowledge, tools and confidence to perform at their best.

Sessions can be delivered to all staff or tailored to specific teams or groups, depending on organisational needs. Each session is interactive and focused on real-world application, ensuring participants leave with strategies they can use immediately.

Topics are flexible and shaped around the challenges facing your people, with common areas including managing change, building resilience, improving communication, handling conflict, increasing productivity, and supporting wellbeing through areas such as sleep, energy and work–life balance.

Delivery is flexible — sessions can be run online for larger audiences or in-person for a more immersive, small-group experience.

At its core, Educate & Empower helps organisations remove barriers to performance by increasing awareness, building capability, and supporting employee wellbeing — creating a workforce that is more engaged, productive and able to thrive.

“The session on work-life balance and sleep were engaging, practical and highly valuable. Staff felt comfortable reflecting and sharing openly and came away with useful strategies”

Pete Wood, Head Teacher, Millfield LEAD Academy

1:1 Coaching

A transformational space to remove barriers to performance and empower

At a Glance

  • Who it’s for: Any employee experiencing challenges impacting wellbeing, performance or confidence

  • Duration: Varies but typically 6 sessions over 12 weeks

  • Format: 1 hour sessions, 1:1 confidential coaching

  • Delivery: Online for flexibility and accessibility

  • Focus: Removing barriers to performance and wellbeing, including stress, change, personal challenges, health issues and overwhelm

  • Approach: Supportive, non-judgemental and practical—combining reflection, clarity and action

  • Common themes: Stress and pressure, work–life balance, navigating change, confidence, personal challenges, health-related impacts, feeling stuck or overwhelmed (not exhaustive)

  • Outcomes: Increased clarity, resilience and confidence, enabling individuals to perform more effectively and contribute positively to their team

1:1 coaching provides confidential, supportive space for any employee who is experiencing challenges that may be impacting their wellbeing or performance. This can include stress, difficulty managing change, pressures outside of work, health concerns, or feeling overwhelmed or stuck.

Coaching offers time to step back, gain perspective and explore what is getting in the way of performance and wellbeing. Through structured, non-judgemental conversations, individuals are supported to build clarity, develop self-awareness and identify practical next steps to move forward.

While the focus is on the individual, the impact extends beyond them. When employees are better supported, clearer and more resilient, this positively influences the wider team—improving relationships, communication and overall team performance. This is why investing in coaching across the whole workforce, not just leadership, creates meaningful organisational benefit.

The outcome is more supported individuals, stronger teams and a healthier, more productive workplace culture.

“Elain’s coaching was supportive, encouraging and completely judgement-free. The practical tools, guidance and follow-up helped me make positive changes at my own pace. I would highly recommend”

Liz Fox, Manager, Assured Energy

First Aid for Mental Health

A recognised qualification proven to contribute to a positive mental health culture

At a Glance

  • Who it’s for: All employees, designated Mental Health First Aiders, and senior staff overseeing workplace mental health and wellbeing

  • Accreditation: NUCO accredited training with certification valid for 3 years

  • Materials: Course booklet and supporting resources provided

  • Delivery: Primarily delivered in-person at your organisation’s site; online delivery available where required

  • Focus: Building confidence, awareness and capability to recognise, respond to and support mental health needs across the organisation

  • Approach: Practical, interactive and scenario-based learning with a strong focus on real workplace application

  • Outcomes: A network of trained, confident individuals equipped to support colleagues, reduce stigma, improve early intervention and embed a positive mental health culture

Programme Levels

  • Level 1 – Mental Health Awareness:

    • Half-day course for all staff

  • Level 2 – First Aid for Mental Health:

    • 2-day course for new Mental Health First Aiders

    • 1-day refresher option for previously qualified first aiders

  • Level 3 – Supervising First Aid for Mental Health:

    • Typically delivered over 2 days

Our First Aid for Mental Health training provides a structured, accredited pathway to build awareness, capability and leadership around mental health in the workplace. Delivered through the NUCO accredited framework, it helps organisations create environments where mental health is recognised, supported and managed effectively at every level.

Level 1 (Awareness) is designed for all employees, building a foundational understanding of mental health, how to recognise early signs of distress, and how to start supportive conversations and signpost to help.

Level 2 (First Aid for Mental Health) develops trained Mental Health First Aiders who can identify a wider range of conditions, respond appropriately, and provide initial support while guiding individuals towards professional help.

Level 3 (Supervising First Aid for Mental Health) equips senior staff and leaders to oversee first aiders, embed a positive mental health culture, and align wellbeing practice with wider organisational strategy.

By developing trained and confident people at each level, organisations gain a network of recognised mental health support across the workforce. This improves early identification, reduces escalation of issues, and ensures individuals feel supported before reaching crisis point.

The result is a more aware, confident and resilient organisation where mental health is actively supported, and wellbeing is embedded into everyday practice.

"The course was a great insight into my role as a Mental Health First Aider and how to best assist anyone who needs help. I feel I was given all the tools I needed to help. Great course delivered by enthusiastic and knowledgeable trainer"

Terry Neale, Training Supervisor, Heidelberg Materials UK

Conference and Team Away Day Talks

Talks and activities to stimulate curiosity and create space for learning

Engaging, high-energy talks and interactive sessions designed to spark curiosity, create space for reflection, and bring teams together in a memorable way.

These sessions blend practical insight with lightness, humour and real-world relevance—helping people think differently about wellbeing, performance and how they work together. Alongside valuable knowledge and takeaways, there’s plenty of interaction, discussion and moments that make the learning stick long after the day is over.

Whether it’s a conference, team away day or internal event, these talks are designed to energise the room, shift perspective and leave people feeling both inspired and equipped to take action.