Posted on: 7 May 2021

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May is an exciting month as CNWL is presenting a number of online webinars, panel discussions and virtual interactive events to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, Staff Networks Day and Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week.

Mental Health Awareness week provides the opportunity to focus on ways we all can achieve good mental health. This year's focus is on the benefits nature has for our mental health. It explores ideas that nature isn’t a luxury but a resource that should be available to all as it can help us cope with stress.

Staff Networks Day champions the work staff networks do in creating a more inclusive culture in the workplace. This year’s theme is togetherness, highlighting the importance of staff networks working in collaboration.

Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week provides the opportunity to celebrate the incredible work health and social care staff do to champion equality, diversity and inclusion.

See the full programme of events below:

Staff can join any of the virtual events listed below. The links to join the events are available on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpage on Trustnet, scroll down to the events tab to find the links.


Monday 10 May

9:30am to 10:30am

The Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues Stigma Transformation (LEMHIST) Network Tea and Chat 

The LEMHIST Network will be leading a friendly conversation about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme, which is nature. Bring your cups of tea and join for a light hearted but important chat about mental health.

11am to 12pm

Sharing Powerful Stories 

Francesca Lepori invites staff to share stories from their own personal lives in a safe and caring environment.

Tuesday 11 May

12:30pm to 2:10pm

Let's talk about Mental Health in the Workplace 

Runa Uddin from the charity MIND will be hosting a panel discussion about mental health in the workplace. Runa will also be going through the ways staff can achieve a greater sense of mental wellbeing while at work.

2:30pm to 4pm

Intellectual Disability, Autism and reasonable adjustments 

Dr Sarah Blaney, Autism Specialist from CNWL’s Learning Disabilities Service will host a panel discussion about reasonable adjustments in the workplace that can support staff who are autistic or have a learning disability.

Wednesday 12 May

2pm to 5pm

Celebrating Staff Networks Day 

Co-Chairs from CNWL’s seven staff networks will jointly host a discussion and Q&A to celebrate this year’s theme of togetherness and discussing what it means to them, their network and how staff networks can work more closely together.

Thursday 13 May

2pm to 4pm

Mental health in the Black community

Yannick Yalipende, Founder Director of Black People Talk (BPT) will lead a discussion and Q&A about mental health in the Black community. Black People Talk provides peer wellbeing support groups for the Black community.

Friday 14 May

4:30pm to 5pm​​​​​​​

Introduction to mindfulness through music

Peter Helmer is a recovery/mindfulness practitioner at the CNWL Club Drug Clinic. Peter will guide staff through a musical mindfulness session and share the calming benefits of mindfulness.

If you are joining any of CNWL’s events happening across May you can share the celebrations on social media by tagging @CNWLNHS on twitter and using one of the hashtags below:

  • #EQW2021 for Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week
  • #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek for Mental Health Awareness week 2021
  • #MakingWorkBetter #Togetherness for Staff Networks Day

CNWL has an impressive seven staff networks who do great work to ensure the Trust is inclusive and staff feel represented and heard. If you would like to join one of CNWL’s staff networks search ‘staff networks’ on Trustnet. See the full list of the staff networks below:

  • PRIDE@CNWL (LGBT+) Network
  • Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network
  • Carers at Work Network
  • Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues Stigma Transformation (LEMHIST) Network
  • Disabled Employees Network (DEN+)
  • Women’s Network
  • 50+ group Network