Updates 

We are proud to celebrate Liam Hopkins, who has been named Fundraiser of the Year at the prestigious VAL Awards 2025, sponsored by Hastings Direct and Champions UK plc.

Liam received this award in recognition of his outstanding efforts organising the Hopkins Brothers Charity Tractor Run, an event now in its fourth year, with this year’s event taking place on Saturday 20^th December. The Tractor Run has become a cherished annual tradition, uniting communities across Southwest Leicestershire, to raise awareness and vital funds for mental health support.

Liam Hopkins comments: “I want to take the opportunity to thank all those who are involved with The Hopkins Brothers Tractor Run, and to the public who take the time to fill the streets and kindly donate each year. Without you all, we wouldn’t have won Fundraiser of the Year. I’m incredibly overwhelmed.”

This event was created in memory of Liam’s brother, Kieran Hopkins, who sadly passed away from suicide. Since then, Liam has been committed to raising awareness and funds for those affected by mental health challenges. His fundraising efforts have already helped raise thousands of pounds for LLR Mind, helping the charity to continue its vital work in our communities..

Rachel Nott, Operations Director at LLR Mind, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see Liam recognised as Fundraiser of the Year. His passion, creativity, and relentless dedication have not only raised vital funds but also inspired the entire community. This award is a testament to the difference one person can make through commitment and compassion.”

The award was presented at VAL Awards 2025 hosted at The Grand Hotel, Leicester, which celebrates outstanding contributions to the voluntary and community sector across Leicester and Leicestershire.

To learn more about the Hopkins Brothers Charity Tractor Run, visit Hopkins Brothers Charity Tractor Run on Facebook –www.facebook.com/HopkinsBrothersCTR

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Mind, NW Leicestershire Federation and Leicestershire Partnership NHS highly commended at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2025

We are proud to announce that we have been highly commended at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2025, recognising outstanding achievements and innovations in improving patient safety across the UK healthcare sector.

The HSJ Patient Safety Awards are among the most respected accolades in the healthcare community, celebrating teams and organisations that go above and beyond to protect patients and improve safety standards. This year, the Awards received 456 entries, with 216 projects shortlisted, and just 25 winners selected by a panel of expert judges.

LLR Mind, the NW Leicestershire GP Federation, and the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust were highly commended in the Primary Care Initiative category for their work on the North West Leicester Mental Health Pathway, which includes the Community Wellbeing Service, delivered by LLR Mind. It was developed in response to a key insight from the NWL GP Federation’s Community Health and Wellbeing Plan, which identified mental health as the leading priority in the region. In collaboration with LLR Mind and the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), the Federation adopted a unified, ‘one team’ approach to expand capacity in primary care and enhance mental health support for patients.

Rachel Nott, Operations Director, comments:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this commendation. This recognition is a testament to the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to delivering safe, compassionate, and person-centred care. Patient safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and this commendation reflects the dedication of our teams to working in true partnership to deliver the highest quality of care to the people we serve.”

Now in its 15th year, the HSJ Patient Safety Awards shine a spotlight on organisations driving forward patient safety and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the NHS and independent healthcare providers.

HSJ Editor Alastair McLellan said:
“The HSJ Patient Safety Awards are a vital platform for celebrating the efforts of healthcare staff who continually strive to reduce risk and protect patients. This year’s winners have shown remarkable innovation, resilience, and commitment to improving outcomes for patients, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”

For more information about the HSJ Patient Safety Awards and the full list of winners, visit: https://awards.patientsafetycongress.co.uk.

Market Harborough Building Society (MHBS) has officially announced the Charity Partners for its Thrive! Forward programme, a major initiative aimed at empowering young people across South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire.

Backed by a £250,000 donation to its community fund, the programme targets three critical areas: mental health, financial literacy, and employability.

The programme comes at a critical time, with national figures from 2024 revealing that over 40% of young people reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness, more than half of high school students lacked basic financial knowledge, and over 850,000 individuals aged 16–24 was not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

To address these challenges, MHBS has partnered with:

• Wize Up – A financial education charity delivering interactive school sessions to help young people build budgeting skills and financial confidence.
• Local Mind’s Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland and Kettering – The mental health charities offer hybrid workshops to help students manage stress, build resilience, and improve emotional wellbeing.
• Young Enterprise – Providing immersive, day-long sessions that equip students with practical career skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, and understanding salaries and taxes.

The programme also introduces Kheron Gilpin as its Community Ambassador. Known for his dedication to youth empowerment, Gilpin said, “Supporting young people in their journey to success is something I’m deeply passionate about. MHBS’s commitment to empowering youth aligns perfectly with my values, and together, we can make a real difference.”

MHBS Chief Executive Iain Kirkpatrick added, “We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. By investing in their mental wellbeing, financial literacy, and career readiness and working together with Kheron Gilpin and our community partners, we’re turning that belief into action.”

In its first phase, Thrive! Forward will concentrate efforts within MHBS’s heartland and deliver targeted support directly into schools and community centres. By embedding the programme at the heart of local life, the Society aims to spark meaningful change where it matters most.

This initial rollout is designed to lay the foundations for long-term transformation, with a strong emphasis on listening, learning, and adapting to the real needs of young people. While measurable outcomes will be captured over time, the ambition is clear: to create a ripple effect of positive impact that reaches far beyond the first phase.

As the programme grows, MHBS is keen to hear from local schools, youth groups, and community organisations who share its vision. If you’re interested in working with them to support young people in your area, please contact thrive@mhbs.co.uk. They’d love to hear from you and explore how to continue making an impact to help our communities to Thrive.

We are delighted to announce that LLR Mind, in partnership with the North West Leicestershire GP Federation, has been shortlisted as a finalist at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2025. This recognition highlights our shared commitment to improving patient safety and pioneering innovation within primary care.

Following a thorough evaluation process by a panel of esteemed healthcare leaders and patient safety experts, the collaborative partnership between the Noth West Leicestershire GP Federation and LLR Mind Community Wellbeing Service has been shortlisted in the category of Primary Care Initiative of the Year.

Launched in April 2024, the Community Wellbeing Service was developed in response to a key insight from the NWL GP Federation’s Community Health and Wellbeing Plan, which identified mental health as the leading priority in the region. In collaboration with LLR Mind and the Leicestershire, Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), the Federation adopted a unified, ‘one team’ approach to expand capacity in primary care and enhance mental health support for patients.

This early intervention service offers one-to-one support for adults experiencing emerging mental health needs. 

It’s provided me with more long term tools that I feel I will forever be able to use. I’ve been able to move forward with my life, I felt stuck before and that I was just existing, it’s got me out of the rut I was in, and I feel more optimistic about my future.

A Community Wellbeing Service beneficiary  

Through a series of tailored sessions, participants receive non-clinical, compassionate guidance in a safe and supportive environment. Our advisors work with individuals to explore emotions, learn practical wellbeing tools, and co-create personalised wellbeing plans. Where needed, we also support signposting and referrals to further services. 

The HSJ Patient Safety Awards celebrate individuals and teams across the UK who are making measurable improvements in patient safety, reducing risk, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout the healthcare system. 

It’s an honour to be shortlisted for this award and I am so proud of the positive results we have achieved in just 18 months. It’s been inspiring working with a forward thinking team and shows how strong collaboration between primary care and the VSCE sector can be.

 Hina Parmar, LLR Mind Community Wellbeing Lead 

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 15 September 2025 at Manchester Central, held as part of the HSJ Patient Safety Congress. The event will bring together hundreds of healthcare professionals to recognise excellence and inspire progress in patient safety. 

For more information about the HSJ Patient Safety Awards, visit: https://awards.patientsafetycongress.co.uk

The Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce that Rachel Nott has been appointed as the new Operations Director at LLR Mind, effective from the 1^st July 2025.

Rachel has been an integral part of our team since November 2021, most recently serving as Engagement & Development Lead. Throughout her time with us, Rachel has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, a deep commitment to our values, and a strong focus on delivering impactful, person-centred mental health services.

Rachel said:

I’m truly excited to move into the role of Operations Director. Having been part of the formation of LLR Mind and witnessing its growth and impact over the past 3.5 years has been an incredible journey. I look forward to continuing to work alongside such a passionate team as we build on this strong foundation to continue supporting mental health across our communities.

In her new role as Operations Director, Rachel will oversee the charity’s operational delivery, support our strategic growth, and continue to champion excellence across all areas of service and support.

Steven Hill, Chair of Trustees comments:

We are delighted to see Rachel step into the role of Operations Director. Her deep understanding of our work, and clear commitment to our mission makes her the right person to lead LLR Mind moving forward.

This promotion reflects not only Rachel’s significant contributions to LLR Mind, but also our belief in nurturing and recognising talent from within.

Please join us in congratulating Rachel on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to the continued impact she will have in this new chapter.

Andrea McCubbin, Director of Daruma Consulting Ltd, will step down as Interim CEO of LLR Mind on 10^th July. The board of trustees is grateful for her leadership, clarity and compassion during a key time of transition.

Andrea said,

It’s been a privilege to lead such a passionate and values-driven local Mind, and I’m proud of what we have achieved in a relatively short period of time. I wish Rachel Nott, Operations Director, and the whole team all the very best as they ensure no mind is left behind across the communities we support.

A heartfelt thank you to Andrea for their leadership as Interim CEO. Your dedication helped us through a vital transition. Wishing you the best for the future.

In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, employee wellbeing is more important than ever. Mental health challenges are not only common but can significantly impact productivity, engagement, and retention. It’s time to prioritise mental health training to support your workforce, boost morale, and foster a healthier, more productive workplace.

Why Mental Health Training?

1. Improved Employee Wellbeing: Mental health training empowers employees to recognise, understand, and address mental health concerns. By fostering an open and supportive environment, employees are more likely to seek help early and feel supported in their journey toward mental wellness.
2. Increased Productivity & Engagement: Employees who feel mentally supported are more focused, motivated, and engaged in their work. Research shows that organisations with comprehensive mental health programmes report higher levels of productivity, creativity, and collaboration.
3. Reduced Absenteeism & Turnover: Mental health issues are a leading cause of absenteeism and burnout. By providing employees with the tools to manage their mental health, companies can reduce sick days, burnout, and high turnover rates, leading to substantial cost savings.
4. Positive Organisational Culture: Offering mental health training demonstrates a company’s commitment to a compassionate and inclusive workplace. This proactive approach to wellbeing cultivates trust, loyalty, and a sense of belonging—critical factors in employee satisfaction and retention.
5. Legal & Compliance Benefits: Providing mental health resources and support can help your organisation comply with increasing legal and regulatory expectations related to employee wellbeing. Being a leader in this space demonstrates corporate responsibility and care.

The ROI of Investing in Mental Health

Investing in mental health training isn’t just about reducing costs; it’s about gaining measurable returns. According to the Deloitte, for every pound invested in mental health initiatives, there is a return of £5.30 in improved health and productivity. This makes mental health training one of the most cost-effective investments your company can make.

Our Offer: Tailored Mental Health Training Programmes

We offer tailored mental health training solutions designed to address your organisation’s unique needs. Whether through workshops, webinars, or mental health services, we provide evidence-based strategies for improving mental health awareness, resilience, and support systems. Our programmes include:

• Mental Health First Aid Training
• Mental Health Skills for Managers
• Suicide First Aid Training
• Workshops in:
  • Mental Health Awareness
  • Navigating Change and Uncertainty in the Workplace
  • Self-esteem and Personal Development
  • Supporting Employees with Health Conditions
  • Understanding Stress and Building Resilience
  • Work-Life Balance
• Bitesize Training Sessions in:
  • Healthy Lifestyles
  • Menopause and Mental Health
  • Mindfulness
  • Mood Management
  • Self-care for the Worker
  • Understanding Anxiety
• One-to-one Employee Support
• Consultancy Services

Take Action Today

Investing in mental health training isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for organisations that want to thrive in the modern world. By supporting your employees’ mental wellbeing, you are fostering a more productive, engaged, and loyal workforce. Let us partner with you to create a healthier, happier, and more successful organisation.

Let’s discuss how we can tailor a programme that aligns with your goals. Contact us at: comms@llrmind.org or 0116 216 4340. We look forward to collaborating with you on this vital journey.