Fully Funded Programme Helps Local Employers Tackle Sickness Absence and Build Inclusive Teams
Thrive at Work – Inclusive Futures is a fully funded employer support programme delivering practical leadership training to help organisations build more inclusive, supportive and high-performing workplace cultures.
Delivered by Elaine Morris, Executive Coach and Director of Curious Edge, and Lizzie Huxford, Occupational Therapist and Co-Director at OT4Me, the programme equips leaders and people managers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support their teams more effectively, improve wellbeing and reduce sickness absence.
This project is supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer. Through a series of interactive workshops, participants learn how to have meaningful conversations, better understand neurodiversity, support workplace wellbeing, and create environments where people feel valued, included and able to be at their best at work.
For SMEs, the programme is delivered through shared cohorts starting in September (4 workshops, 1 every 3 weeks) in York, Harrogate and Scarborough, providing an opportunity to learn alongside other local employers. All the dates are on the webpage and booking form listed at the end of this document. For larger organisations, the programme can also be delivered in-house, allowing us to tailor the content to their workforce and organisational needs. We also provide direct intervention in the form of 1-1 coaching for those most vulnerable and at risk of going on sick leave and workplace sensory audits. All of this is fully funded – so there is no cost to the organisation!
Core Programme Workshops
The programme consists of four workshops (3 for in-house programmes) that build practical skills and knowledge around workplace wellbeing, communication and inclusion. Each workshop will run between 10am-3pm at the following locations:
York cohort will be at Patch, on 09/09, 01/10, 20/10, and 10/11
Harrogate will be Wizu Workspace on 17/09, 15/10, 12/11 and 3/12
Scarborough will be at The Grand on14/01, 04/02, 25/02 and 18/03
In the workshops we will cover:
Workshop 1: Starting Conversations That Matter
Understanding the importance of opening conversations around wellbeing
Developing coaching and active listening skills
Building confidence in supporting colleagues
Learning how to approach difficult, sensitive and emotionally charged conversations
Workshop 2: Understanding Mental Health and Neurodiversity
Recognising when someone may be struggling with their mental health
Understanding how to provide appropriate support
An introduction to neurodiversity in the workplace
Exploring the strengths and challenges associated with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other neurodivergent profiles
Workshop 3: Creating Inclusive Working Environments
Understanding sensory processing and sensory integration
Identifying barriers that may affect employees at work
Exploring reasonable and low-cost workplace adjustments
Creating environments where everyone can perform at their best
Workshop 4: Embedding Inclusion into Everyday Practice
Understanding and overcoming imposter syndrome
Building resilience and confidence
Bringing learning from the programme together
Creating more inclusive workplace processes, procedures and recruitment practices
Additional Mini Workshops
Participants can also attend a range of specialist workshops which were identified as key learning areas in the year 1 of the funding:
10 September 2026 – Supporting colleagues through long term health challenges and bereavement (In-Person at the Leveson Centre, Delivered by York Against Cancer and York Bereavement Alliance)
24 September 2026 – Dealing with stress, anxiety and depression (Online, Delivered by Curious Edge and OT4me)
16 October 2026 – Supporting Men's Mental Health (In Person at The Motorist, Delivered by Jack Woodhams at Menfulness – run concurrently with Women’s Health Session below)
16 October 2026 – Women's Health and Menopause Awareness (In Person at The Motorist, Delivered by Lizzie Huxford OT4me and Tracey Dennison East Riding Aesthetics and Wellbeing)
3 November 2026 – Managing difficult and emotionally sensitive conversations (In Person – Location TBC, Delivered by Curious Edge and The Workplace Collective)
11 December 2026 – Neuro-affirming communication in the workplace (Online, Delivered by Curious Edge and OT4me)
19 January 2027 – Understanding imposter syndrome and building resilience (In Person at Sandburn Hall, Delivered by Curious Edge and The Workplace Collective)
16 February 2027 – Leading with purpose: shared values, retention and belonging (In Person at Sandburn Hall, Delivered by Curious Edge and The Workplace Collective)
Find Out More and Register
More about the programme can be located here: Employer Support Programme - Year 2 - Register Your Interest - Curious Edge
To book a place, this is the onboarding form to be completed: ESP Year 2 — Onboarding & Mini Workshops - Curious Edge
When completing the form individuals need to:
Select Key Contact if they are the main contact for the organisation who will provide basic company details for funding – this individual may or may not want to take part in workshops.
Select Delegate if they are attending as a participant only.
Choose their preferred SME cohort (York, Harrogate or Scarborough) or indicate your interest in an in-house programme.
Select any mini workshops they would like to attend.
Complete the dietary, data-sharing and media preference sections.
Once registered, participants will receive calendar invitations and reminder emails for all selected sessions.
