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As a social enterprise with a vision to improve the mental health of the nation, MHFA England® is committed to leading by example when it comes to workplace wellbeing. Our organisation-wide approach includes two wellbeing breaks per year, designed to support our employees’ physical and mental health, promote life-work balance, and contribute to a thriving organisational culture.
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Research consistently highlights the importance of taking time off work to relax and recharge for overall wellbeing (1). By disconnecting from work responsibilities, employees can effectively reduce stress levels, enhance focus and creativity, and improve
overall job satisfaction.
Moreover, prioritising regular breaks proactively addresses the growing risk of burnout, which can have detrimental effects on both employee wellbeing and organisational productivity (2).
Our commitment to providing dedicated breaks acknowledges the importance of mental and emotional rejuvenation, allowing employees to replenish their energy levels. Through this approach, we foster a supportive work environment that promotes employee wellbeing, engagement, and long-term success.
Our upcoming summer wellbeing break will be taking place between Monday 28 July and Sunday 3 August. During this time, our office and phone lines will be closed from 4pm on Friday 25 July until 9am on Monday 4 August.
This complete shutdown ensures that staff members are less likely to feel the need to check their emails or stay engaged in ongoing projects. They can truly embrace the break without the pressure of a mounting to-do list. Employees can return to work feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle upcoming challenges.
With diverse backgrounds and roles within the organisation, our team members have shared their perspectives on the upcoming Summer Wellbeing break, emphasising the universal value and impact of prioritising employee wellbeing.
Marketing and Content Executive Elli Hunt looks forward to the week as an opportunity to refresh, reset and recharge. Reflecting further, “Being able to disconnect and take a step back is extremely beneficial for my wellbeing.”
MHFA England’s Chief Executive, Sarah McIntosh, regards wellbeing breaks as a vital time to unwind and refuel. “We spend much of our adult life at work, which can be full on”, she says. “When workplaces create regular wellbeing week shutdowns, they invest in the long-term performance of their teams. The time away from work is a way for everyone to rest and refuel to maintain innovation, resilience and high performance.”
Lastly, our HR and Wellbeing Business Partner, Georgia Graham, highlights the advantages of a full office shutdown during the break: “The fact that it’s a complete office closure is a huge benefit to mental wellbeing,” she explains. “Being able to take a break from work and not worry about the mounting workload enables you to completely relax and clear your head.”
MHFA England® can help you to nurture the wellbeing of your people. Having worked with over 20,000 organisations, we understand the nuances of workplaces and the barriers you may be facing. We know how to implement excellent training, robust systems, and practical policies to improve the wellbeing of your workforce.
Together, we’ll build cultures where wellbeing and productivity flourish hand in hand.
Contact our team of workplace mental health experts
Sources:
(1) Mind Charity. How to promote wellbeing and tackle the causes of work-related mental health problems. Available from: https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/4662/resource3_howtopromotewellbeingfinal.pdf [Accessed 24 April 2025]
(2) Science Direct. How to prevent and combat employee burnout and create healthier workplaces during crises and beyond. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007681321000392[Accessed 24 April 2025]