Mental Health at Work: Designing a Culture of Support

Mental Wellbeing as a Foundation

At our studio, we’re committed to creating a strong workplace mental health culture. Mental wellbeing isn’t an add-on – it’s built into how we design, collaborate and support one another.

Learning Through Collaboration

Earlier this year, we partnered with Suffolk Mind to explore their Mental Health Toolkit. Through a series of workshops, we identified the five core needs that support wellbeing: movement, connection, purpose, privacy and rest.

Much like good design, these elements don’t happen by accident. Instead, they must be built intentionally into the spaces and systems we use every day.

Reflecting on Our Practice

As a result of the workshops, we took time to reflect. How do we support each other as people, not just as colleagues? That reflection led us to clarify a few key principles that continue to shape how we work.

Studio Culture: Creating Space to Connect

We hold monthly team meetings and regular check-ins, which offer opportunities to connect, share and reflect. These rhythms help us build trust and stay aligned.

Hybrid Working: Balancing Focus and Collaboration

Our flexible work model allows us to blend focused home working with core studio days. This approach encourages collaboration, spontaneity and creative thinking.

Physical Space: Designing for Openness

Our open-plan studio has transformed how we interact. It enables quicker feedback, clearer communication and a sense of openness. Consequently, we’re better equipped to spot challenges early and address them together.

Reaching Beyond Our Studio

Additionally, we’re proud to support SuffolkForward, a local network that champions open, informed conversations around mental health.

Past events have welcomed voices from across industries – business leaders, athletes and creatives – each offering different insights on resilience and purpose.

For example, one recent event took us out of the studio and onto the footgolf course. That simple change reminded us how movement, fresh air and shared experiences can strengthen wellbeing just as much as studio-based support.

Looking Ahead: A Tough but Necessary Topic

Coming up in September, we’ll join a conversation on Suicide Awareness, led by national mental health leaders and supported by Suffolk Forward.

This is undoubtedly a tough topic. However, it’s a vital one. We need more spaces – like those Suffolk Forward helps create – where people feel heard and supported, without stigma or judgement.

A recent BBC and ReThink report illustrates the scale of the issue. For every person waiting for physical health treatment in England, twelve are waiting for mental health support. That gap cannot be ignored.

Designing a Culture That Supports Everyone

As designers, we understand that environments shape experiences – and workplaces are no exception.

Therefore, whether we’re planning our week, designing our studio, or simply having daily conversations, we stay committed to building a culture where mental health is not only supported, but actively designed for.