Northpoint

It was a pleasure to host the 'Digital Therapies & AI' event for #LeedsDigitalFestival.

Alongside #AireInnovate and #SilverCloud we explored ways to solve the pressing challenges in healthcare and how AI can be used to assist this both safely and ethically.

A big thank you again to our speakers🤝

👏Our event space at The Small Mill in Leeds is all ready to go for today's event, as part of #LeedsDigitalFestival.

Our partners Aire Innovate and SilverCloud will be joining us to discuss the use of AI tools in digital therapies.

We look forward to welcoming you all.

#MentalHealth #AI

How employers can prioritise mental health in the workplace

Embed mental health in induction and training. Promote information on the support available during staff inductions Consider mental health training for all colleagues Make sure your mental health support resources and policies are readily accessible

Support through internal communications. Use internal communications to promote mental health support information and policies This might include emails, staff intranet and noticeboards Helpful ways to share information could include fact sheets, myth busters, blogs, tips and web links

Encourage mental health champions. Mental health champions can encourage positive mental health and wellbeing across your organisation They help to guide colleagues to appropriate support, making the process of seeking help less daunting Wellbeing champions can act as a bridge between staff and leadership, helping to ensure that wellbeing initiatives are relevant and effective

When organisations talk openly about mental health, it helps break stigma, builds trust, and creates safer workplaces💬

It’s not just about policies, it’s about culture, leadership, and consistency.

See how your workplace can take action with our recommendations 👇

#WorkplaceWellbeing

Recently we hosted two powerful leadership development coaching sessions, led by Executive Coach @garybuxton.bsky.social🙌

The coaching explored how our personalities influence how we lead and collaborate and reminded us that effective leadership is never one-size-fits-all💡

#LuminaSpark #Leadership

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, we supported stalls at Trinity Leeds and Time for Young People Hub to promote support for young people’s mental health.

We joined the crowds on the streets of Leeds to cheer on the 84 baton bearers as part of the Baton of Hope UK Tour 👏

#SuicidePreventionDay

Image of Helen McGlinchey, shortlisted poster

👏We’re thrilled to share that Helen McGlinchey, our Director of Children & Young People Services, has been shortlisted for the #ACAMHAwards in Digital Intervention.

This is a huge recognition of her dedication & impact in child mental health. Roll on October🤞

#ChildMentalHealth @acamh.bsky.social

Mental health in the workplace statistics

Mental health issues are the number one cause of work sickness absences in the UK

52% of employees feel more productive when their organisation offers mental health resources

47% of employees believe that open dialogue about mental health would improve their wellbeing at work

Your mental health isn’t just personal, it should be a workplace priority.

📊The latest statistics show why it is important for a workplace to have clear mental health practice & policies, support that is visible and a culture where conversations are welcomed.

#MentalHealthMatters #WellbeingAtWork

Your Choice Your Way: Routes and Routines (Episode 4) In this episode of our Your Choice Your Way: Routes and Routine web-series, we are interviewing people who work in the education and mental health arena supporting young people during school transitioning. 0:00 - 0:16 Introduction 0:17 - 0:45 Introduction to education and mental health professionals in the episode 0:46 - 4:28 Professional advice for young people when transitioning 4:29 - 6:56 Professional advice for parents and guardians around transitioning 6:57 - 8:13 Professional advice for parents and guardians around supporting their child through transitions 8:14 - 9:25 Professional advice on treating all children individually 9:26 - 9:43 George and Femi’s highlights 9:44 Closing thoughts

Our Schools Practitioner, Alice Lilley, recently featured on @wypartnership.bsky.social ‘Your Choice, Your Way’ series.

The series supports young people moving from year 6 to 7 and gives advice to both students and parents 🙌

Listen here: bit.ly/45OsXaa 🎧

#BackToSchool #YouthMentalHealth

Support someone with anxiety - Northpoint | Mental health. It's what we do. Friends and family play a unique role in helping someone with anxiety. We spoke with one of our experienced community wellbeing connectors, Billy Gardner, to understand the ways in which we can suppor...

From everyday help to setting boundaries, our latest blog shares practical ways to support a loved one with anxiety 💚

Led by insights from Billy Gardner, one of our community wellbeing connectors.

Read more: bit.ly/41Nobr3

#MentalHealthAwareness

National Wellness Month activities in Leeds & Calderdale Crafting for wellbeing 29 August, 10.30am 📍Middleton Family Centre, Leeds Morning yoga sessions Every Sunday, 10am 📍Project House, Leeds Food Festival 16-17 August, 10am 📍Temple Newsam, Leeds Wellness Walk 27 August, 10am 📍Bankhouse Inn, Pudsey Calderdale Heritage Walk 25 August, 2pm 📍Hare & Hounds Inn, Hebden Bridge Outdoor Wellbeing Sessions Every Monday, 12pm 📍Healthy Minds, Pye Nest Allotment

🌿August is National Wellness Month🌿

This month is a time to pause, reflect and take part in activities that support your physical and mental wellness🧘

Check out below what you can get involved in this month across Leeds & Calderdale.

#WellnessMonth #LeedsEvents #CalderdaleEvents #Wellbeing

Logos of accreditations

🌟We’re proud to share our accreditations🌟

🤝These accolades highlight the clinical standards we follow, our commitment to a supportive workplace, and dedication to provide the best mental health support we can.

Learn more: bit.ly/4lqXXBQ

@leedsmind.bsky.social #WellbeingatWork

Busting the myths: Mental health myths vs facts

MYTH “Therapy is only for those with complex mental health needs” FACT Therapy can benefit many people who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, or more complex needs. Seeking therapy can encourage preventative care and can be a step towards improving mental wellbeing.

MYTH “Mental health challenges are a sign of weakness” FACT Mental health challenges can be caused by multiple factors. They are not a character flaw or personal failure. They can affect anyone, regardless of their perceived strength.

MYTH “Once you seek help, you’ll need it forever” FACT Some people can benefit from long-term support. Others can use short-term therapy to address specific issues, build coping skills, and to learn to manage independently.

Mental health is still surrounded by myths that can discourage people from seeking support. 💬

By replacing stigma with facts, we can build a culture where mental health is treated with openness and respect. 💚

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness

Barca staff member and a young person at a stall sowing pea seeds in small cardboard plant pots. White words over the photo say' Find us at Breeze in the Park 7 August 2025 at Tinshill Recreation Ground LS16 6BN'.

Our Better Together team are at Breeze in the Park this Thursday 7 August @ Tinshill Recreation Ground. Stop by our stall to have a chat and find out about our local groups and activities in West Leeds.

Recently our Schools Team explored polyvagal theory with our supervisor, Sue Campbell and daughter Hannah.

The session deepened our understanding of trauma responses and was followed by celebrating our dedicated team members’ 10 years of service, with our long service pins🎖️

#PolyvagalTheory #MH

Image of the strategy planning day

Image of the strategy planning day

Image of the strategy planning day

Last month, our leadership team and board of trustees met for a strategic planning day.🤝

Organised by Birch Tree Associates, the day reflected on our progress and future direction.

A big thanks to everyone who contributed to such a thoughtful and insightful day.🙏

#WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealth

🙌 This month our EMHP, Jodie Eagleton, joined Youth Social’s ‘What the Friday’ podcast, led by Relationships Matter.

👫The podcast explores healthy relationships and aims to help empower young people with the tools to navigate modern dating.

🎧 Listen here: youtu.be/smIeczSN8TE

#YouthVoice

Self care stickers “I operate in a three before me rule. I do three small tasks to be productive, then one thing that I choose/want to do/find relaxing” Olivia, Mental Health Practitioner “Going for a long run is always my self-care” Nigel, Assistant Director of Adult Services “I see my friends. Also, Tamagotchi video games is my go to at the moment” Olivia, Administrator

“I melt on the sofa, put my phone away and get stuck into a really good drama” Charlie, Operational Team Manager “I engage in my hobbies – drag shows, punk rock, and football!” Clare, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner “I go to pilates every week for my self-care” Mel, Administrator

“I go for a ride on my motorbike in the countryside” Jonathon, Deputy Operational Team Manager “I try to spend at least one hour a day, no distractions, listening and noticing whatever I’m feeling” Darrin, Clinical Operational Team Manager “My self-care ritual is creating a relaxing space at home and having a coffee. A tidy, aesthetic home motivates me” Marcus, Pscyhological Wellbeing Practitioner

For #NationalSelfCareDay, we asked our teams what self-care looks like for them.

From long runs to drag shows and punk rock, self-care can come in all different forms.

Here’s how our teams at Northpoint look after their wellbeing💚

#MentalHealthMatters #Wellbeing

Back on the open-top bus for Leeds Pride 2025! 🌈

The day was a joyful, powerful celebration of visibility, solidarity, and community.

We are proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community, not just during Pride, but all year round.

#PrideInMentalHealth #LeedsPride

A woman and a little boy whose face is obscured are on top of an open top bus at Leeds pride parade. Pride flags are being waved and the streets are lined with smiling crowds either side of the road.

Brilliant day at #LeedsPride on the @northpointmh.bsky.social parade bus! Great atmosphere, love this city ♥️ Happy pride everyone 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Staff spotlight - Katie Chadwick - Northpoint | Mental health. It's what we do. Our staff spotlight series celebrates the people who bring our mission to life, by sharing their stories, work, motivations, and the journey that led them to work in mental health.

Without our dedicated team, we couldn’t deliver the mental health support our communities rely on.

Our staff spotlight🌟 series celebrates our people. Sharing their stories, advice & journey.

Meet Katie Chadwick, whose dedication makes a real difference👇

bit.ly/4m84cLF

#MentalHealthMatters

Woodlesford Lock. The canal-side walk is great for spotting wildlife and is a well maintained, flat path throughout. Follow the path towards Methley for cafe stops and toilets. Pugneys Country Park Featuring a 1.6-mile flat, well-maintained path around the lake. This path is suitable for wheelchairs and offers scenic views, nature observation, and convenient facilities like accessible toilets and a cafe. St Aidans Nature Reserve The park features a 120m accessible path, which includes 6 level resting areas and new benches. Managed by the RSPB, St Aidan’s is a stunning site bursting with wildlife and amazing views.

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve A two-mile stretch of wheelchair-accessible paths, including canal towpaths, river paths and purpose-built areas for wheelchair users to observe wildlife in the bird feeding area. Ogden Reservoir The well-surfaced route close to the reservoir is suitable for wheelchairs, with RADAR key locks at each end. This walk is a great trail for bird watchers, with a wide variety of birds living there. Shibden Park Featuring a 1.6-mile flat, well-maintained path around the lake. This path is suitable for wheelchairs and offers scenic views, nature observation, and convenient facilities like accessible toilets and a cafe.

Getting outdoors isn’t just good for your body — it’s a powerful way to support your mental wellbeing too 🧘

The outdoors should be for everyone, so this #AccessibleOutdoorsMonth, we're sharing accessible walking routes across #Leeds and #Calderdale🌿

Know a great accessible route? Share it with us!

A proud moment for our team👏

Helen, our Director of Children and Young People Services, has been nominated for the #ACAMHAwards in the Digital Intervention category.

Being longlisted for this award is a testament to Helen’s dedication, leadership, and compassion in the field.

@acamh.bsky.social

Charlie Smart, Operational Team Manager says: ‘Whilst social media can be great for staying in touch, it can also make me feel I’m not where I could be. Not achieving or experiencing life the way others are. It can quietly erode our sense of contentment, self-worth and wellbeing.’ Charlie’s insights are: Pause and reflect - Before scrolling, ask yourself how you're feeling. Are you looking for connection, or are you comparing? Curate your feed - Follow accounts that uplift and inspire you, not ones that trigger stress or self-doubt. Take digital breaks - A social media detox. Even a few hours a day can make a big difference. Practice gratitude - Focus on what’s going well in your own life. A short daily gratitude list can shift your mindset. Connect in real life - Nothing beats genuine, face-to-face connection. Reach out to a colleague or friend for a chat or a walk.

Vanessa Stillwater, Administrator says ‘Work-related pressure can be difficult to leave at work and can sometimes spill into your personal life. This can affect relationships with family and friends.’ Vanessa’s insights are: We don't always take the time to think about what the root cause of a problem is and can lay the blame at home, when the problem is at work. When possible, take time to stop and reflect after a work day. Things always feel worse when you have problems piling on top of each other. By tackling things straight away and finding time for regular self check-ins, your day-to-day feels much more manageable. A holistic approach can have great benefits. This approach looks at our whole being, including our physical, mental and spiritual needs. This interconnectedness can promote a positive overall wellbeing.

Amanda Coates, Assistant Director for Digital Innovation and Impact ‘I think a lot of people still misunderstand mental wellbeing as just “feeling happy” or being calm and stress-free all the time. But it’s so much more layered than that.’ Amanda's insights are: Start with your existing routine. If you’re already making a cup of tea, take a moment to breathe while the kettle boils. If you’re scrolling on your phone, maybe stand up and stretch a bit while you do it. Those little moments add up more than we often give them credit for. Real wellbeing isn’t about avoiding hard emotions—it’s about how you cope with them, how you process what you’re feeling, and how you take care of yourself. It doesn’t mean you never wobble, but that you allow space for those wobbles without judgment. I think we need to normalise those moments, not hide from them. For years I have found that being around water has a huge positive impact for me. I've learned that this is about "blue health" and research shows that blue spaces can reduce stress, improve mood, increase physical activity, and even promote social connection.

Claire Tooth, Education Mental Health Practitioner ‘If you are feeling stressed or feel like you're not coping well, it is always best to reach out. Help will always be there if you look for it, whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, or professional.’ Claire's insights are: Get a routine in place. This can help you feel on top of your wellbeing. My routine includes 20 minutes of daily stretches or yoga to set me up for the day. Build in some time outside, especially when working indoors or on screen all day - a half hour walk makes a real difference. My garden and allotment are where I can totally switch off from work. Join a group or treat yourself to something that is beneficial for your wellbeing. I have a monthly Shiatsu session but any monthly massage/bodywork/sauna/spa treatment is beneficial. We are worth it! We work hard and this is my monthly release of tension and opportunity to re-balance.

Wellbeing can often be used as a buzzword, but its true meaning goes far beyond surface level self-care.

This #WorldWellbeingWeek, our team of wellbeing champions share what wellbeing means to them, emotionally, physically, mentally and socially. Offering insight beyond the buzzwords 🧠

Prioritising Staff Wellbeing: Northpoint’s Mindful Employer Journey - Leeds Mind In this guest blog, Leeds Mindful Employer Network member Northpoint, which has recently signed the Mindful Employer Charter, tells us about Northpoint's

💚Recently we became a member of the Mindful Employer Leeds Network.💚

We are proud to be recognised by @leedsmind.bsky.social for our ongoing commitment to create a supportive and inclusive workplace.

See how we are prioritising staff wellbeing: bit.ly/44jvebK

#MindfulEmployer #WorkplaceWellbeing

Practice 4-7-8 breathwork. A simple yet effective method to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold you breath for a count of 7. Exhale through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat up to four times to help calm the nervous system and improve sleep quality.

Create a digital wellbeing box. Easily accessible and personalised to you, a digital wellbeing box can boost your mood. This could include a calming music playlist, inspirational quotes, guided meditation apps, and comforting photos or videos. Whenever you need a mental pick-me-up, dive into your digital kit for an instant mood boost.

Join peer support groups. Participating a peer support group can provide a sense of community and shared understanding. Local peer support groups in Leeds and Calderdale include: Healthy Minds in Calderdale host various peer support groups and drop-in sessions. Leeds Mind offer groups both in-person and online, including both workshops and support groups.

Start creative journaling. Creative journaling can deepen self-awareness and emotional processing. Stream of consciousness writing is where you write continuously for a set period, allowing thoughts to flow without judgement. Art journaling is where you combine sketches, doodles or collages with written reflections. Letter writing is where you write letters to your future self, loved ones or your emotions.

Supporting your mental health doesn’t have to come at a cost📝

There are plenty of free everyday practices that can help to support your wellbeing, including connecting with others, journaling and taking time to rest.

For #WorldWellbeingWeek, we have shared our top four accessible wellbeing tips🧘‍♀️

Highlights from our annual staff conference - Northpoint | Mental health. It's what we do. Each year, our annual staff conference event brings together colleagues, speakers, and supporters. This year, the focus was on belonging – something that is essential for our mental and physical wellb...

Each year, our annual staff conference event brings together colleagues, speakers, and supporters to explore a theme which speaks to the heart of our collective wellbeing.

This year, the theme was belonging. Here’s a recap of the day’s events and the reflections made on the theme💚

bit.ly/4dXBoT8

Loneliness Awareness Week - Northpoint | Mental health. It's what we do. Loneliness Awareness Week gives opportunity to deepen understanding & support individuals in recognising the signs of loneliness in themselves & in others.

Loneliness is more than just a feeling, it can deeply impact our mental health.

This #LonelinessAwarenessWeek, we look at how best to check in with others, and what to do when you’re the one feeling alone.

Read our blog for tips, support, and ways to reconnect⬇️

bit.ly/3ThEJCX

#MentalHealth

That’s a wrap for our conference event this year💚

Thanks to all our colleagues for an inspiring and thought-provoking day!

#NorthpointConference #Northpoint2025

This afternoon was filled with spotlight sessions on belonging and wellbeing workshops.

Talks touched on belonging for both service users and Northpoint staff, practitioner perspectives and your voice.

Our wellbeing workshops gave the teams a chance to relax, get crafty and try something new 👩‍🎨

‘For me, single session therapy is collaborative teamwork’

We listen in to our CYP Director’s interview with leading psychotherapist, Windy Dryden, on SST.

The interview follows our event’s icebreaker and a group reflection on equality, diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity.

#WindyDryden