Empower Mental Health Training & Consultancy

15/06/2026

A marketing manager was recently awarded nearly £1 million in damages after his employer failed in it's duty of care.

This is exactly why manager training matters. I've written about it in this month's Empower Insights newsletter on LinkedIn.

Most managers I speak to are not indifferent to their team's mental health. They care, often deeply.

02/06/2026

We've just published our very first Empower Insights newsletter and we're quite excited about it!

Inside you'll find a warm introduction to Dave Arnold, who has recently joined the team, plus details of two brand new courses we're offering from this summer. We've also listed all our upcoming dates through to September.

If you've been thinking about mental health training for yourself or your organisation, have a read and see what feels right for you.
https://empowermht.co.uk/open-courses/

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/empower-mht-insights-7467175351203315713

Supporting healthier workplaces through mental health training

07/05/2026

I still have spaces on my online Mental Health First Aid course starting on 20th May, and I wanted to reach out directly before it gets any closer.

This is a two-day MHFA England accredited course, delivered online, across 20th and 27th May. It qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider and gives you the practical skills and confidence to support the people around you, whether that's colleagues, clients, or the people you care for.

It's particularly relevant if you work in a caring role, run a small business with a team, or work in HR and have been thinking about getting this qualification for a while.

If you're not sure whether it's the right course for you, I'm very happy to have a chat beforehand. No pressure at all.

Places are limited and I do need a minimum number to run the course, so if you've been thinking about it, now is the time.

https://empowermht.co.uk/open-courses/

Feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested.

07/05/2026

I've been busy writing lately, and I wanted to share two new posts from the blog.

The first is something I've wanted to write for a while. I recently delivered Menopause Awareness training to a group of MHFAiders from a large organisation, and it was genuinely one of those sessions that stays with you. The company had already put so much thought into their approach, and the training was the final piece of their strategy. The blog reflects on why this kind of joined-up thinking matters and what the session covered.
Read it here: https://empowermht.co.uk/menopause-awareness-training/

The second post tackles something I hear a lot: "We don't have the budget for mental health training." I understand that. But I think it's worth asking a different question. What is poor mental health already costing your organisation? The numbers, when you look at them honestly, are often much bigger than the cost of prevention.
Read it here: https://empowermht.co.uk/workplace-mental-health-training-cost/

There's plenty more on the blog too, covering everything from grief and deafness to a day in my working life. Take a look when you get a chance.
www.empowermht.co.uk/blog/

13/04/2026

There are spaces available on our two-day Mental Health First Aid course in May.

It runs on 20th and 27th May, online, and is MHFA England-accredited. By the end, delegates leave as qualified Mental Health First Aiders, meaning they have the knowledge and confidence to recognise when someone is struggling and respond appropriately.

I've been delivering this training for nearly seven years. The conversations that happen during these two days are often the ones people tell me they've never had at work before.

If this isn't for you right now, could you share it? Someone in your network might be looking for exactly this, and word of mouth genuinely makes a difference.

Full details are available at https://empowermht.co.uk/open-courses/, or feel free to message me directly if you'd like to know more before booking.

📅 20th and 27th May, online via Zoom.

07/04/2026

Most managers care about their team's wellbeing. The harder question is whether they feel prepared to handle situations when it matters most.

That's really what Mental Health First Aid training comes down to. It's not about becoming a counsellor. It's about having someone in the room who notices the signs of distress, who stays calm, and understand the appropriate next steps to take.

I'm running my next accredited 2-day course on 21 and 28 April, online. It's open to anyone who works with people and wants to feel properly prepared.

A lot of the people who come on this course are managers and HR professionals. Many say afterwards they wished they'd done it sooner.

If it's been on your to-do list, now is a good time. Spaces are limited.

Full details and booking at www.empowermht.co.uk or drop Liz an email at [email protected]
📅 21 & 28 April 2026 | Online | MHFA England Accredited


ALT text (Instagram):
Empower Mental Health Training course flyer. Mental Health First Aid 2-Day Courses 2026. Online. Dates 21 and 28 April, 30 September and 7 October. Suitable for managers, HR teams and staff. Book at www.empowermht.co.uk

Want me to write a second Instagram caption that's a bit warmer or more personal in tone?

10/03/2026

“We don’t have the budget for mental health training.”

Liz hears this quite often. And it is understandable. Budgets are tight and there is always something that feels more urgent.

But many organisations already have a mental health budget. It just does not sit under that heading.

Long-term absence, burnout, recruitment, and lost productivity can cost thousands. When you look at your own data, the hidden cost often becomes clear.

Training a Mental Health First Aider usually costs around £300–£350.

Sometimes the real question is not whether the budget exists, but where it is already being spent.

You can read the full article here:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-already-have-mental-health-budget-youre-just-calling-liz-maughn-qz6de

If you are considering building confidence in your team, Liz is running her next 2-day MHFA course on 21 & 28 April (online).
Get in touch with Liz at [email protected] for find out more.

“We don’t have the budget for mental health training.” It’s one of the most common things I hear when speaking with organisations about workplace mental health.

19/02/2026

When did you last step away from your desk?

If you are close to Batsford Arboretum, why not join Liz for a netwalk?

Next Thursday, 26 February, Liz is hosting her monthly Wellbeing Netwalking session from 10:00 to 11:30.

It's a reflective space for women running creative and wellbeing businesses. No pitches, no pressure; just fresh air and meaningful conversations with others who understand the realities of running a business.

You will leave with clearer thinking, a fresh perspective and stronger support around you. Take some extra time for coffee and cake at the end, you'll have earned the treat.

If the end of the month feels heavy, this might be the reset you need before March begins.

Scan the code below, check the booking link in the comments, and look forward to a refreshing session.

17/02/2026

If you are a parent please read this!!

13/02/2026

What does good mental health awareness training look like in local government?

Liz has been delivering mental health awareness training in partnership with Oxfordshire Mind for county, district and parish councillors across Oxfordshire County Council.

The session focuses on practical, real-world skills:

◈ Looking after yourself first
◈ Spotting early signs of poor mental health
◈ Starting supportive conversations with confidence
◈ Knowing how and where to signpost residents to the right services

Councillors often deal with complex and emotional issues in their wards. Time is limited, and the demands can be high. This training acknowledges that reality and provides clear, usable guidance.

Councillor Rachel Crouch shared:
“Both informative and useful. I learnt a huge amount, from self-care through to signposting people in our wards to the correct services.”

If you are a councillor in Oxfordshire and would like to attend a future session, you can find booking information here:
https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/training/free-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-training/

If you would like to discuss similar training for your council or organisation, please get in touch.