Louise's Story: 25 Lancashire Minds

Louise Hendy is a woman on a mental health mission, creating a ‘ripple effect’ by starting important conversations with colleagues and contacts.

After facing her own mental health challenges 10 years ago, Louise set about using those experiences to make life better for others.

A champion for mental health in the workplace

Louise began by qualifying as a Mental Health First Aider and then created a workplace wellbeing booklet to share with colleagues at Kingsley Asset Finance where she works as Head of Marketing.

She said: “Since I started talking about mental health in the workplace, I have had colleagues come to me and tell me how they think about mental health has changed or that they have people close to them who experience poor mental health, and they have passed on information I have given out. I think if I can make something better for one person then it’s worth it. And if I can manage to do that from something simple like giving out a leaflet then surely with more resources and more money to reach more people that can have a big impact.”

And the booklet has acted as a springboard for even more mental health awareness, conversations and fundraising at their base in Whittle-le-Woods, near Chorley.

Louise said: “I didn’t want to just do one thing, like the booklet, and then never speak about mental health or wellbeing again. “If we have good mental health, it positively impacts every other area of our lives too so, as employers, it is in our best interest to create a supportive, open and inclusive culture at work. Mental health is talked about a lot more these days but the more we talk and keep raising awareness, the more normal it becomes to have these conversations. Everyone is definitely talking about mental health and wellbeing a lot more, however, there still isn’t the equality with how we view physical health.”

Supporting Lancashire Mind

Louise and her colleagues have worked closely with Lancashire Mind for more than five years. Louise said; “Last year, we hosted our own fundraising and took part in Lancashire Mind events including the Cross Bay Walk from Arnside to Grange, and the Mental Elf festive fun run, raising more than £1,200 to support better mental health in Lancashire.

“We are a Lancashire-based business with most employees being from Lancashire and a big portion of our customers too, so we see it as giving to the team, our customers, their family and friends and communities.

“We held a coffee morning on World Mental Health Day 2024, and I couldn’t believe people’s generosity for such a simple fundraising idea. We raised £600 and it blew me away. Knowing what Lancashire Mind need to raise every year to keep running, I’m just so happy we have been able to be a small part of it. Knowing that everything we have raised is going to help someone somewhere in Lancashire, even down to our staff kitchen tuck shop where we put 50p in for a snack.

“At our office launch party last year, which coincided with an England Euros match, we did a sweepstake for the first goal to be scored. I was wondering would people really pay £10 to have a guess but everyone was so happy to get involved when we explained the money was going to Lancashire Mind. Every time I do an event and talk about Lancashire Mind and mental health in general, I always have conversations with people telling me they or someone they know has had some struggle in the past, so they absolutely want to support. It’s not until you start having these chats that you actually realise how widespread this is and why it is so important we continue raising awareness and funds. There are so any barriers to accessing services, and the statistics speak for themselves with how much people need help and how difficult it is to access.

“I’m really proud to work somewhere that is so supportive of mental health and that wants to work for change and improvement both within the workplace and the wider community. When I spoke to the leadership team about my ideas they said yes straight away and have supported me ever since.”

Lancashire businesses like Kingsley have raised almost £200,000 combined for Lancashire Mind in the past five years alone, investing in the present and future of the communities they operate in, funding life-changing services.