While the conversation around mental health has gained real momentum in recent years, the challenges persist. For example, Deloitte recently found that mental health problems faced by employees can not only impact employee performance but also cost businesses an estimated £8 billion per year.

For entrepreneurs, this can feel especially personal. The rewards of running your own business are many – from autonomy and flexibility to the joy of building something meaningful. But that same independence can bring additional pressures too.

At Travel Counsellors, we strongly believe in the power of community to support mental wellbeing. It's not just about how we grow; it's about how we care for and support one another.

Building a caring community

Relationships are at the heart of everything we do – with our customers, colleagues, support teams, and valued supplier partners. We’ve shaped a culture of care and belonging where people feel supported both professionally and personally, enabling them to thrive. That sense of community isn’t just something we talk about,  it’s something we live. 

We bring this to life by leveraging the latest technology that empowers individuals to run independent businesses on their own terms while bringing them into a tight-knit, supportive community, no matter where they are in the world. This connection extends to our customers, who experience the strength of that community through the care, support, and personalised service they receive.

The benefits are clear – studies have shown that being part of a community provides natural opportunities for giving and receiving help, which boosts self-esteem. The act of helping others within the community can be particularly beneficial for mental health. And when people feel they truly belong, they go beyond their roles, becoming genuine partners in driving the company's success.

Wellbeing should be at the heart of business culture

Mental health support shouldn’t be an afterthought; it needs to be woven into the fabric of your company’s culture. At Travel Counsellors we now have over 50 trained Mental Health First Aiders, professional counselling, government-backed mental health support initiatives, and various external mental health webinars which all serve to foster a healthy and supportive working environment.

However, wellbeing shouldn’t be viewed as a one-off event; our calendar is rich with initiatives that make mental and physical wellbeing a regular, visible part of life – from Fortnightly Feel-Good Friday Coffee Mornings, free yoga sessions during peak periods, a Menopause Support Group and our Cancer Support Network.

Support doesn’t always need to be formal. It can be as simple as reaching out to someone with a kind message or picking up the phone to check in. These small gestures can make a big difference and are just as crucial to creating a culture of care.

Embracing inclusion, representation, and connection

Mental wellbeing support also means acknowledging and celebrating the diverse identities and lived experiences of people. This year alone, we launched five new Affinity Groups which bring our people together around shared experiences and causes. It’s all about creating a safe space that’s for the community and led by the community.

We’ve also marked key Diversity, Equity & Inclusion events with meaningful activity. During Black History Month, we hosted the Reclaiming Narratives webinar with Communicate Inclusively’s CEO, and for Pride Month, Dr. Christopher Owen’s talk on LGBTQ+ liberation reminded us of the power of storytelling and shared history.

Building a healthy future

Of course, no single initiative solves everything. But a connected, caring community creates a foundation where people and businesses can flourish. It means business owners don’t need to choose between performance and wellbeing – in fact, one powers the other.

In today’s world, where human connection is more valued than ever, community isn’t just a support system, it’s your business advantage.

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