“What really saved my life during that time was my ability to talk” I am SUPER excited to have gotten the chance to interview the Legendary, Mental Health Power House that is Geoff McDonald! Best known as a global advocate, campaigner and consultant who is passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces, and about helping organisations embed purpose as a key driver of business performance. His sense of purpose to his work was catalysed by his diagnosis in 2008 of Anxiety fuelled depression. Geoff shares his experience of mental ill health, his journey to recovery as well as what goes into a sustainable health and wellbeing initiative within the workplace. We go deep on topics such as; Diagnosis of anxiety fuelled depression Learning to talk Taking responsibility for our wellbeing Health & Wellbeing plans in the workplace The stigma & shame associated with depression Taking accountability in order to get better The blessing of love during recovery Reintegrating at work Transition from employment into purpose Tools that contribute to maintaining recovery Connect with Geoff and learn more about his work at  geoffmcdonald.co.uk , linkedIn &Twitter.  Hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘It’s not going back to business as normal, we’re in a very new era now and If you’re not stretching yourself to meet that you will get left behind’ Samantha Clarke is an amazing friend of mine,  Happiness Consultant, TedX speaker and Author of Love it or Leave it . She advices global companies on Happiness at Work and supports people’s conscious decisions to either Love it or Leave it! She is full of innovative advice for employers and employees on finding happiness in our work as well as providing practical tips on how we can all adjust to the change born from the pandemic! We get practical on topics such as: Finding the opportunity in change and disruption Creating safe spaces for employees to be vulnerable Steps to becoming a change maker Challenging your belief system and evaluating your achievements Physical & Mental Health signs that it is time for change Widening our networks and making new contacts Balancing head and heart decisions Managing loneliness during the pandemic Championing your people to deliver their best Creating that work / life definition Preventing tech fatigue and creating wiser practices Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin and you can see her full personal story in Episode 11 titled:  How Badly do you Want it . Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd.  You can catch a previous interview with Samantha How Badly do you Want it Further Resources mentioned in this episode:: Micro Mentor Life Coach Directory Love it or Leave it 

“When I came out…..I had completely unconditional support and love and I realised that’s sadly not the case for everyone” I feel very privileged to interview Matthew Clements. Matthew is the Senior diversity and inclusion advisor at Herbert Smith Freehills and i have had the pleasure of working with him through the partnership between Medigold  and PVL where i have been supporting the Mental Health strategy and training of HSF. We discuss Mental health and his Matthew goes deep on his own experience of mental health and coming out to his family and friends. We cover other topics such as: Challenges of mental health in the workplace HSF Thrive Strategy The evolution of how businesses understand mental health Promoting an inclusive culture Mental health champions Adapting to needs during the pandemic The build up to coming out to family and friends No longer being able to hide / the loss of control The benefits of coming out Looking back on yourself with kindness The ripple effects of shared stories & experiences Creating impact through authenticity Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace The mental health silver lining in the pandemic The need for organisations to step up mental health strategy Agile & remote working Non-negotiables around self-care Connect with Matthew on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

“You really can’t pour from an empty cup. You need to make sure you are ok first” Ranked as one of the top 10 companies to work for by The Sunday Times and recently shortlisted for the REBA wellbeing awards,  Hannah Meredith leads the way on Health and Wellbeing for MVF Global We discuss the current and long-lasting impact  of the pandemic on employees and their mental health and Hannah lends practical advice on how employers can implement mental health strategies. Hannah also opens up about her personal  struggles with anxiety how she’s learned to manage these effectively. We cover topics such as: The impact of providing constant support on People Teams The longterm effects of covid-19 on mental health Home working and creating boundaries to thrive Company initiatives during lockdown to support mental health Understanding the needs of your workforce Cultivating an open culture The daily struggle anxiety struggle Practicing Self-awareness and coping strategies The importance of connection The Pandemic and relationships Aiming for prevention The opportunities arising from Covid Connect with Hannah on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘We have to adapt with the changing times and we have to adapt to what are employees are needing’ So excited to speak with Selena Alcover who is an Employee Experience Manager at National Grid. We discuss the impact of the current pandemic on employees and Selena offers tangible advice to leaders on supporting their workforce through these challenging times as well as opening up about her own personal struggle of becoming a first time parent in the midst of a pandemic. We go deep on: Remembering to ask for advice and help Stress and new challenges caused by the pandemic Adapting to the changing needs of employees The shared experience of the pandemic Leading by example and promoting work/life balance Driving mental health conversations and championing open culture in the workplace How to support employees during maternity Managing maternity cover dynamics The benefits of remote working Self -care during the pandemic Connect with Selena on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘I would say to anyone, speak and there is bravery in that even if you are vulnerable ‘ Tony Nneke is Chair of Oracle UKIE Cultural Harmony Network and passionate about Diversity and Inclusion as well as mental health. Tony  talks openly about needing to take time off work due to poor mental health and how leaders helped or hindered his experience in the workplace. We go deep on: Practicing vulnerability at work The need to create supportive and safe environments in the workplace Engaging in mental health conversations in the workplace Impact of mental health on productivity Opening up to management and colleagues The feeling of shame around mental health The Power of Conversation Childhood experiences of mental health Recognising the trigger points and the ongoing journey Finding your own balance and boundaries Connect with Tony on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd.

‘I think you are a better leader if you bring your whole self to work ‘ I am so excited to have been introduced to Jules Parke-Robinson - with a 20 year career in the British Military and current experience as Chair of the British Wheelchair Basketball, she has amazing insights on motivating a team, men’s mental health and adapting to change. We discuss her experiences of mental health and leadership in the workplace as well as retiring only to be thrust in a world where she didn’t feel she belonged and struggled to adapt into a new career phase. Anyone who’s a leader or has hit rock bottom will relate to this episode! We go deep on: Creating an environment where it is safe to fail How attitudes to mental health have changed over the years in the military Creating impact and supporting people The challenge of being a woman in the military Demonstrating vulnerability as a leader Listening, space, permission and freedom Creating the right environment to support individuals to practice self-care Leading by example Allowing individuals to create their own boundaries Empowering people and demonstrating trust Understanding your workforce so you can nurture them and allow them to be their best self. Practicing self-care, parenting and adapting to change. Connect with Jules on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘As adults we seem to forget that we were once children ’ It was so great to speak with Sayce Holmes - Williams, CEO of Mentivity, Activist and key note speaker and a coach of young people. Sayce has a passion for raising the aspirations of young people between the ages of 8 & 25 by sharing his own personal stories and experiences of his childhood journey growing up in south east London. His organisation Mentivity is an inspirational mentoring organisation and alternative educational provision that provides aspirational support for young people, schools and parents through 1:1 mentoring and group conversation based learning. We go deep on: Tapping into your childhood experiences The importance of empathy Understanding individual journeys without judgement Current mental health needs of young people The loss of communication in today’s society Skills needed to champion mental health Sharing vulnerable experiences Breaking the stigma of Counselling Stimulating critical thinking in youth Engaging young people in the workplace Guided discovery Incorporating inclusive and supportive behaviour into recruitment Connect with Sayce on Linkedin and see more of his work at Mentivity

Super excited to have this conversation with David Allard, Part of the Petra Velzeboer team , David is now retired but has a wealth of experience as a CEO of a financial services organisation. David shares with me his approach to mental health in the workplace and how CEOs can champion the cause  , leading by example, creating the correct environment and promoting the correct culture amongst their workforce. We discuss topics such as The importance of recruiting correctly Values An entitled generation? The need for patience Promoting open communication Recognising the signs as a leader Introducing fun & lightness to the workplace Developing a mental health strategy The bottom line Adapting to retirement Self-Care The future of the workplace The pressure of being positive as a leader / Choosing how to show up Connect with  on Linkedin and join the conversation at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

The most important question you can ask someone, is the simplest, it’s “How are you?” I am so excited for this new season where we focus 10 episodes on mental health at work and the people that champion this conversation with organisations. Rondette Smith is an executive director in Human Capital Management at Goldman Sachs. A member of the Diversity & inclusion team, she oversees the Black & Asian talent strategies across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. She is also part of our advisory board and works closely with the Petra Velzeboer Ltd team to help us advise companies on their mental health agenda. Rondette knows the crucial importance of mental health in the workplace and her personal story of a boyfriend being sectioned after going missing, hits to the heart of why  she is passionate about this topic. We discuss topics such as: The changing narrative around mental health globally The impact of the C-19 Pandemic on Mental Health What companies can be doing to support their employees How to Lead by Example Creating effective forums where people can express themselves and learn Communicating your mental health parameters - what’s your ask? Home working & Mental Health The importance of Exercise and time out Dealing with personal trauma in the workplace Burnouts & non-negotiables Creating psychological safety with your team The detrimental effect of the lack of human contact during C-19 Long term effects of C-19 on the workplace Supporting the race conversation Connect with Rondette on Linkedin and join the conversation at Petra Velzeboer Ltd.