This bonus episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast features Ben Dimmock, Wellbeing Lead and Police Inspector at Bedfordshire Police, sharing his personal journey from experiencing depression to leading one of the UK's most established police wellbeing teams.

After becoming seriously unwell during his policing career, Ben made a decision that would change not only his own life but the culture within his force. Despite being warned that speaking openly about his mental health would be "career suicide", he chose to tell his story. That decision helped encourage countless colleagues to ask for support and played a key role in breaking the stigma around mental health in policing.

Today, Ben leads a dedicated wellbeing team supporting officers and staff through peer support, mental health training, trauma response, wellbeing initiatives and leadership development.

🎙 In this episode, we discuss:

• Ben's personal experience of depression and recovery
• Breaking the stigma around mental health in policing
• Why psychological safety starts with leadership
• Building one of the UK's leading police wellbeing teams
• The power of peer support and lived experience
• Supporting officers after trauma and critical incidents
• Why wellbeing is everyone's responsibility
• Measuring the impact of wellbeing programmes
• Creating cultures where people feel safe to say, "I'm not okay"

This conversation explores the unique pressures of frontline policing but also offers valuable lessons for every organisation. From peer support networks to leadership vulnerability, Ben shares practical ideas that any workplace can learn from when creating healthier, more supportive cultures.

📍 A special bonus episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast.

🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, leadership, occupational health, psychological safety and creating workplaces where people can thrive.

This episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference, features Michele Deeks, Director at Work Positive, discussing positive psychology, workplace culture, and what it really takes to help people flourish at work.With almost 20 years of experience at Work Positive, Michele shares how occupational psychology and positive psychology can help organisations build stronger teams, develop better leaders, and create cultures where people can thrive rather than simply get by.The conversation explores why many organisations still focus most of their wellbeing efforts on fixing problems, and why creating environments where people can flourish requires a different way of thinking.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:What positive psychology really means in the workplaceThe difference between helping people cope and helping them flourishWhy strengths-based approaches improve wellbeing and performanceBuilding psychologically safe workplace culturesThe importance of connection, belonging and relationshipsPractical ways to introduce positive psychology into teamsMoving from reactive wellbeing to proactive culture changeWhy behaviour change matters more than awareness campaignsCreating workplaces where people enjoy coming to workMichele also shares practical examples of using strengths, appreciative questions and simple coaching tools to help teams build stronger relationships, recognise what's working well, and create lasting positive change.📍 Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, occupational psychology, leadership, organisational culture, and helping people thrive at work.

This episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference, features Elliot Foster, Head of Wellbeing Strategy at SuperWellness, discussing the future of workplace wellbeing, professional standards, and what organisations need to do to create lasting culture change.With a background in business psychology, Elliot shares his perspective on why workplace wellbeing should be treated as a business strategy rather than a series of one-off initiatives. The conversation explores the changing wellbeing profession, the skills organisations are looking for, and why collaboration across HR, health and safety, occupational health, and leadership is essential.Known for sharing workplace wellbeing research and job opportunities with the LinkedIn community, Elliot also reflects on how the profession is evolving and why better guidance and education will help organisations get wellbeing right.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:Why workplace wellbeing programmes sometimes failCreating culture change instead of ticking boxesThe growing workplace wellbeing professionWhether the industry needs professional standardsStakeholder engagement and influencing senior leadersWhy wellbeing should never work in isolationThe future of workplace wellbeing rolesLegislation, psychosocial risk, and preventionBuilding evidence-based wellbeing strategiesThe conversation also explores why successful wellbeing leaders need to understand the wider business, work across departments, and focus on long-term organisational change rather than short-term initiatives.📍 Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, business psychology, occupational health, leadership, and organisational culture.

This episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference, features Sam Atwell, Policy and Research Manager at the Health Foundation, discussing the UK's growing challenge of ill health at work and what can be done to help people stay healthy and employed.Drawing on research from the Health Foundation’s Commission for Healthier Working Lives, Sam explores the relationship between health, work, and economic inactivity, and why prevention needs to become a central part of the national conversation.The discussion also covers case management approaches, early intervention, and the lessons the UK can learn from countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark when it comes to supporting people with health conditions to remain in work.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:Why work is a key determinant of healthThe rise in work-limiting health conditions across the UKPreventing people from falling out of work due to ill healthThe role of early intervention and case managementWhat employers can do to better support employee healthLessons from international approaches to workplace healthThe Keep Britain Working review and its recommendationsBuilding systems that support healthier working livesThe future of workplace health policy in the UKSam also shares insights into the Health Foundation’s wider work on employment, welfare, health inequalities, and creating healthier working lives across the UK.📍 Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, occupational health, employment policy, leadership, and organisational culture.

This episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference, features Izabella and Ann-Marie from the UK & International Health Coaching Association discussing health coaching, prevention, behaviour change, and the future of workplace wellbeing.Representing the professional body for health coaching in the UK and internationally, Isabella and Ann-Marie explain how health coaching differs from life coaching, executive coaching, and traditional wellbeing initiatives. They explore why prevention is often overlooked, despite rising levels of chronic illness, burnout, and long-term health conditions across the workforce.Ann-Marie also shares her personal experience of burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome, and how that journey led her into health coaching and workplace wellbeing.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:What health coaching is and how it differs from other forms of coachingWhy prevention should be at the heart of workplace wellbeingThe growing challenge of long-term health conditions in the workforceBurnout, recovery, and recognising the warning signs earlierBehaviour change and why knowledge alone doesn't create actionSupporting employees as whole people, not job titlesGroup coaching and peer support in workplace settingsHealth literacy, personal agency, and self-empowermentWhy organisations need to invest before people reach crisis pointThe conversation also explores professional standards in health coaching, the role of leadership in supporting employee health, and how coaching can work alongside HR, occupational health, and existing wellbeing programmes.📍 Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, leadership, occupational health, employee engagement, and organisational culture.

This episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference, features Sam and Amanda discussing trauma-informed practice, psychological safety, and the growing importance of trauma awareness in workplace wellbeing.Drawing from backgrounds in policing, psychotherapy, the NHS, occupational wellbeing, and trauma-informed care, the conversation explores how trauma can shape behaviour, communication, leadership, and workplace culture.Sam shares her journey from crime scene investigation into workplace wellbeing and trauma-informed practice, while Amanda reflects on her experience across the Crown Prosecution Service, psychotherapy, NHS wellbeing leadership, and trauma-informed care in mental health services.Together, they discuss how organisations can move beyond surface-level wellbeing initiatives and start creating genuinely psychologically safe workplaces.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:What trauma-informed practice means in the workplaceWhy psychological safety starts with understanding traumaHow trauma can shape workplace behaviour and communicationThe link between adverse childhood experiences and wellbeingSupporting staff through trauma awareness and leadershipWhy trauma-informed organisations are built through culture changeThe NHS approach to trauma-informed care and wellbeingPractical first steps for smaller organisations and SMEsThe importance of accessibility, flexibility, and human-centred supportThe conversation also explores the changing landscape of workplace wellbeing, the role of leadership in creating safe environments, and why wellbeing initiatives need to move beyond apps and box-ticking exercises.📍 Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, leadership, psychological safety, occupational health, and organisational culture.

This episode of the Working Well-Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference, features David O'Coimin-Cummins, Founder and Director of Nook, discussing workplace design, neurodiversity, and the future of inclusive workspaces.David shares the story behind creating Nook, a mindful space designed to reduce overstimulation, soften workplace noise, and create moments of calm in busy environments. Originally created as a response to open plan offices, Nook has since been adopted across workplaces, schools, healthcare settings, and public spaces.From workplace noise and employee focus to remote working and neuroinclusive design, this conversation explores how physical spaces shape the way we feel, work, and connect with others.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:Why open plan offices can increase stress and distractionDesigning spaces for introverts and neurodiverse employeesThe psychological impact of workplace noiseWhy employees wear headphones in modern officesCreating mindful spaces without isolationHow Nook supported NHS staff during the pandemicThe future of co-working and flexible workplacesThe WELL Building Standard and neuroinclusive designWhy workplace inclusivity starts with trustDavid also shares insights into the changing role of workplace design, and why organisations need to think beyond productivity metrics to create spaces where people genuinely want to work.📍 Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work Conference.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, leadership, organisational culture, and the future of work.

This episode of the Working Well Beings Podcast, recorded live at the Motorfinity offices in Newark, features Daniel Briggs, CEO and Co-Founder of Motorfinity, discussing financial wellbeing, employee benefits, and the growing pressures facing NHS and blue light workers.Daniel shares the story behind building Motorfinity, a company helping NHS staff, teachers, military personnel, and emergency service workers access significant savings on new cars. He explains why financial wellbeing plays such a critical role in overall health and performance at work.From cost of living pressures and workplace stress to employee benefits and financial education, this conversation explores how organisations can better support their people in practical and meaningful ways.🎙 In this episode, we discuss:Why financial wellbeing is fundamental to employee wellbeingThe impact of financial stress on performance and mental healthSupporting NHS, military, and blue light workers through employee benefitsHow Motorfinity helps staff save money on new carsThe problem with box-ticking wellbeing strategiesWhy employees often overlook the benefits available to themAwareness, education, and creating habits around financial wellbeingThe role of employers in reducing financial stress at workDaniel also shares his own career journey, from financial services in London to building Motorfinity into a trusted benefits partner supporting millions of eligible workers across the UK.📍 Recorded live at the Motorfinity offices in Newark.🔔 Subscribe for conversations on workplace wellbeing, leadership, financial wellbeing, HR strategy, and organisational culture.

In this episode of the Working Wellbeing Podcast, Matt is joined by Tiger de Souza, Director of People at Samaritans and one of HR’s Most Influential voices.Tiger shares his unconventional career journey, the power of great leadership, and why one conversation can completely change someone’s path.The conversation also explores:How Samaritans support volunteers dealing with emotionally difficult callsWhy listening is one of the most underrated leadership skillsThe hidden wellbeing risks of hybrid and remote workingWhy many organisations still operate with outdated models of workWhat the future of work could look likeWhether wellbeing leaders need professional standards and qualificationsA thoughtful, honest and wide-ranging discussion on leadership, inclusion, wellbeing and the changing world of work.Subscribe for more conversations from Health & Wellbeing at Work 2026 and beyond.#WellbeingAtWork #FutureOfWork #HybridWorking #Leadership #MentalHealthAtWork #HR #PeopleLeadership #Samaritans #WorkingWellbeing

How much influence do managers really have on employee wellbeing — and why are organisations still struggling to get it right?Recorded live at the Health & Wellbeing at Work event, Rachel Lewis and Jo Yarker from Affinity Health at Work discuss two decades of workplace wellbeing research, the critical role of managers, and why many organisations still rely on quick fixes instead of tackling root causes of stress.The conversation explores how businesses can move beyond surface-level wellbeing initiatives and create healthier, more sustainable working environments through better job design, leadership development, and evidence-based practice.Rachel and Jo also share insights into their new professional framework for workplace wellbeing practitioners, helping organisations better define wellbeing roles, skills, and strategy.Topics Covered:• How managers influence stress and wellbeing• Why many wellbeing strategies fail• Preventative vs reactive wellbeing support• Job design and reducing workplace stress• The future of workplace wellbeing• AI, flexibility, and changing ways of work• Professionalising the wellbeing industryAbout the Guests:Rachel Lewis and Jo Yarker are Co-Managing Partners at Affinity Health at Work and academics at Birkbeck, University of London, with over 20 years of experience in workplace wellbeing research and consultancy.Subscribe for more episodes from Health & Wellbeing at Work:Interviews with experts in workplace wellbeing, leadership, occupational health, psychology, HR, and the future of work.#WorkplaceWellbeing #EmployeeWellbeing #Leadership #MentalHealthAtWork #HR #FutureOfWork #Management #OccupationalHealth