Swindon Mindful Employer Network event recap: supporting LGBTQ+ & neurodiversity

Amy Joyce Business West
06 June 2025

We were pleased to welcome attendees to our second Mindful Employer Network event this week - a collaboration between Swindon Borough Council, Business West, and Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind. As we celebrate Pride Month this June, the focus on supporting LGBTQ+ employees and championing inclusivity in the workplace was particularly timely.

LGBTQ+ in the Workplace

Megan Patel, a Community and Inclusion Practitioner from Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind, opened the session with the importance of building respect, equity and belonging in the workplace. She shared insights from a recent focus group with LGBTQ+ individuals, revealing that many still face discrimination and exclusion at work. Common challenges included fear of being “out” in professional settings, a lack of visible allies or inclusive policies, limited access to leadership opportunities, and experiences of microaggressions and unchallenged biased language.

Megan addressed 'tokenism' within the business setting, noting that while visible support, such as celebrating Pride Month, is valuable, it means little without meaningful support or systematic change. The session concluded with some practical takeaways and next steps on how to improve inclusivity in the workplace.

How Elevate Hub & The Mental Health People work together

Our next speaker was Rainbow Tomes, Founder & MD of The Mental Health People, who focused on effective ways of fostering a culture of wellbeing in the workplace. She began by highlighting her work with Elevate Hub, which supports HR professionals and businesses with their People agenda - helping individuals build knowledge, skills, confidence, and careers. Rainbow also discussed the work of The Mental Health People, and how they offer a range of services including courses, workshops, coaching and counselling.

They encourage businesses to focus on the 'Fundamentals', factors affecting employees' physical and mental health.​ Examples included whether staff feel able to take their annual leave​, how managers respond to requests for personal days and importantly, whether people feel safe enough to say “I’m not okay” without fear of judgment or repercussions​. She stressed the importance of management training and recommended putting in place a Wellbeing Strategy -  linking the company's culture, values, and people priorities.

Rainbow wrapped up her session with some practical strategies that businesses can put in place, such as appointing mental health first aiders, offering Private Health Insurance (PHI) and Private Medical Insurance (PMI) and providing extra annual leave.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Our final guest speaker of the day was Rob Curtis from The Pursuit Agency, who spoke openly about his firsthand experience of being diagnosed as neurodivergent and how it has shaped his working life. He candidly recounted an experience of a long, drawn-out and stressful interview process for a high-powered role, only to be confronted after his presentation with the unhelpful phrase: "That's not how we do things here." 

Rob has since launched his own business, The Pursuit Agency, and provided some useful tips on how his office caters to the individual, including adjusting the lighting to suit people's personal preferences, situating all client communications on one platform and allowing for flexible working. As a self-confessed 'morning person' (and definitely not a 'night owl'), he highlighted how flexibility can benefit everyone.

Rob concluded by emphasising the importance of embracing the individual and supporting differences within the workplace:

Key Takeaways from the Day

  • Employers have a responsibility to protect the wellbeing & mental health of their employees
  • Inclusion is a strategic advantage and ethical responsibility.
  • Inclusive cultures improve employee wellbeing, satisfaction, and retention

Next Steps

Presentation slides are available here for those who missed the event or want to revisit the content.

Our next session on September 4th will focus on Suicide Prevention & Workplace Happiness, make sure you register to attend.