Social Work Wellbeing Week

Social Work Today are proud to have launched Social Work Wellbeing Week©. This is an annual conference and national event in partnership with local authorities, charities and social work professionals who want to put the health and wellness of social workers at the forefront of practice. The event will be taking place between 19-23 January 2026.

Links to all live events and recordings will be sent out with your regular daily Social Work Today e-newsletter at 10am each morning.

Social Work Wellbeing Week© is dedicated to ensuring you take care of yourself. Your wellbeing is essential so we bring you a programme of live webinars and recordings with practical tools, techniques and insights to support you and build healthier workplaces.

The conference will start on 19 January and opening the event is an introduction from award winning author and educator Dr Neil Thompson discussing 'Why effective leadership is essential for workplace wellness’. He will sum-up the week, on 23 January, with a webinar to discuss ‘Where do we go from here? Making wellness a reality’.

This session will include a Q&A with Dr Neil Thompson. This is your opportunity to send your questions for Neil in advance to hello@socialworktoday.co.uk or ask them live in the webinar.

Live session and video links will be added to this page and your daily Social Work Today e-newsletter on the morning of each day.

Conference timetable...

Monday 19th January
Dr Neil Thompson, Award-winning author and educator, The Neil Thompson Academy
Why effective leadership is essential for workplace wellness
In this video, award-winning author and educator draws on his own experience to explain why, when it comes to promoting wellbeing, leadership is a core element. He places great emphasis on the important role of organisational culture and the part that everyone – not just managers – has to play in developing effective leadership and high levels of wellbeing.
Dr Neil Thompson is the Director of Studies for the Neil Thompson Academy, providers of high-quality online learning and Chartered Management Institute qualifications. He is renowned for his ability to express complex ideas clearly and accessibly without oversimplifying them. The Academy website is at www. Neil Thompson-info.
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
This video is one of a range of learning resources available to members of Neil’s online Academy. Basic membership is free, with the option to upgrade to his e-learning subscription service offering over 60 courses and/or membership of his Centre of Excellence, an inner circle for people who want to benefit from Neil’s guidance and support: www.NeilThompson.info.
https://vimeo.com/1154684725/595aefb432?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Live online: 2:00-3:00pm
Jan Carpenter, Havening Techniques and NLP practitioner, Coach and Trainer (BSc, DipSW, DMS)
Turn Over A New L.E.A.F.®
Resilience in Action: Regulating The Roots of Wellbeing
Jan Carpenter is an Adult Social Work manager, coach, and wellbeing practitioner with over 25 years experience spanning frontline practice, supervision, and leadership. Jan brings a practical, nervous-system-informed approach to wellbeing, rest, and regulation.
His work supports professionals across social work, care, and health to prevent burnout and sustain compassionate, effective practice.
On this topic, Jan explains that resilience is not just a mindset. It is a neurobiological capacity. This research-informed, experiential workshop explores how the autonomic nervous system, with particular attention to the vagus nerve, underpins emotional regulation and long-term professional sustainability. Participants will be guided through simple, embodied techniques to shift from activation to restoration, gain clarity on a current work-related challenge, and leave with practical tools they can apply immediately.
Jan is also co-author of Winning Mindsets, which explores how empowered and intentional action leads to meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Please bear in mind this will be an active session with physical movement including bouncing on the spot and breathing. Participants will be guided throughout and encouraged to move as much or as little as they feel willing, able and comfortable doing so.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87260746250?pwd=tmwugY2ssKbZxmaB6TbLXZlpankbdg.1
View the feedback form - Resilience in Action: Regulating the Roots of Wellbeing - https://forms.gle/JqGp4QyD17UqPp1B8

Dr Kate Laffan, Assistant Professor in Behavioral Science, London School of Economics
What is wellbeing
In this talk, Kate explores the different philosophical perspectives on what wellbeing is. She will detail the efforts in subjective wellbeing research to understand wellbeing using individuals’ own reports of how they think about their lives and feel as they go about them and make a case for their use in our efforts to understand what the good life is and how to promote it.
Dr Kate Laffan is an Assistant Professor in Behavioral Science at the Department of Psychological and Behavioral Science (PBS) at the London School of Economics. Kate carries out research at the intersection of economics and psychology aimed at producing policy-relevant insights which can help to address environmental challenges and promote human wellbeing. Her work has been published in leading
outlets like Science and Nature Human Behavior. She is currently working on the mental health and conservation benefits of nature connectedness, as well as examining the predictors of low wellbeing around the world. Kate is passionate about policy impact and co-leads a working group on Behavioral Science for Sustainability in the UN’s One Planet Network. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organised by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv4cW-NKjWI


Tuesday 20th January
Live online: 2:00-3:00pm
Sarah Powell, Wellbeing Lead and Arin Sotoudeh, Workforce Improvement Officer, Coventry City Council
Creating a Culture of Care: Inside Coventry’s Wellbeing Programme
Discover how Coventry City Council has built a wellbeing programme that genuinely brings people together. In this session, we’ll take you inside our twice‑yearly Wellbeing Boosts — two‑week bursts of energising activities like yoga, arts and crafts, team bowling, and wellbeing check‑ins with our health nurse. You’ll also hear how our monthly activities and team‑based sessions help keep wellbeing alive all year round. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or practical ideas, this seminar offers a real‑world look at what a flexible, inclusive wellbeing offer can achieve.
Please bear in mind this will be an active session with physical movement including bouncing on the spot and breathing. Participants will be guided throughout and encouraged to move as much or as little as they feel willing, able and comfortable doing so.
Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/32083762934773?p=PhjTZPy77SSCNm5OZO
Meeting ID: 320 837 629 347 73
Passcode: kp27Jc62

Mind
Mental Health at work commitment: webinar series
Mind in collaboration with expert partners present a series of webinars, to help bring to life the different standards that form the Mental Health at Work Commitment.
They talked about why each standard is important and shared ideas for implementing it in your organisation. And, because the world is very different now from when the Commitment launched, they looked at all of this through the challenges of the past few years, the lasting changes we’re still living with, and the new realities of work that many of us face.
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
Link: https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/mental-health-at-work-commitment/resources/webinar-series/

Dr. Charmain Jackman, CEO/Founder, InnoPsych
Reclaiming wellbeing in the workplace
Mental health professionals experience racial trauma in the workplace. We often say that "Black don't crack" but it's time we start to address the impact of racial trauma and weathering on our mental health and wellbeing. Charmain Jackman, PhD is an award-winning psychologist, author, and leadership coach. She is a leading voice on mental health and workplace wellbeing and CEO/Founder of InnoPsych, a primer resource for impactful and inclusive mental health solutions. After two bouts of burnout, she decided to make sustainable changes in her life and is deeply invested in helping others thrive in life. She leverages her experiences with burnout and racial trauma to elevate conversations about healthy self-care practices and to inspire others to take daily actions to prioritize their mental health through joy and mindfulness. She is creator of the My Time To Thrive card deck, an interactive tool for stress reduction and self-care. Dr. Charmain consults with leaders to transform workplace cultures into psychologically safe environments. She was awarded the 2021 City of Boston’s Black History Month’s Innovator of the Year award and the 2021 American Psychological Association’s Citizen Psychologist Award.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twtz8OafnBE


Wednesday 21st January
Live online: 11:30am-12:30pm
Lisa Winn, Holistic Health Coach & Breathwork Practitioner
Using breathwork to boost your wellbeing
Join Lisa Winn, Holistic Health Coach and Breathwork Practitioner, for a live, guided breathwork session designed to support your wellbeing as a social care professional.
In this session, Lisa will introduce SOMA Breath®, an Energised Breath Meditation practice that combines rhythmic breathing, music and mindfulness. You’ll be gently guided through practical breathwork techniques that help to calm the nervous system, boost energy, and support emotional regulation. You’ll also gain simple, effective tools you can take into everyday life — whether you need to reset your nervous system, clear your mind, or create more balance during a busy day.
This is an experiential session, and you’ll be invited to actively take part at a level that feels right for you.
Before you join, please note:
-We recommend taking part pre-lunch, in a quiet, comfortable space where you can sit or lie down without interruption.
-Breathwork involves conscious control of the breath, including optional breath retentions. This may not be suitable for everyone.
-Please complete the breath waiver in advance and review the contraindications carefully.
-If you have any medical conditions affecting your heart, lungs, circulation, or if you are pregnant, please email me, you will be able to participate but will not be able to take part in the breath retention, hello@lisawinn.co.uk
-I will go over the contraindications at the start of the session; however, I won’t be able to advise on individual medical circumstances in detail. If you’re unsure whether breath retention is appropriate for you, please let me know in advance — modifications are always available.
-Late participants will not be admitted due to the nature of the session.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your individual suitability for this session, please visit: www.lisawinn.co.uk/breathwork
Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35521270149500?p=KvBKEhrVqz3uqWxXZw
Meeting ID: 355 212 701 495 00
Passcode: Gv9dS7SA

Dr Wendy Austin MBE, Northern Ireland Social Care Council
Wellbeing and support for social workers – Taking care of yourself, to take care of others
Maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health is vital for everyone, but it’s particularly important for those working in caring professions, like social workers, who are often called upon to be resilient.
Developing mindfulness, accessing support and selfcare practice is essential for preventing professional burnout for social workers.
Does there need to be a cultural change in the social work profession? Many in practice are used to getting into hero mode to help other people, but the question is are they looking after themselves. There are several ways they can do this, and interventions and supports available to ensure they can take care of themselves so they can take care of others.
Want to hear more? In this episode Dr Wendy Austin MBE sits down with Dr Alan Maddock, Lecturer, Dept of Health Psychology, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Jeananne Jackson, Senior Social Worker, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Carolyn Ewart, past National Director, BASW NI and Janine Gordon, Divisional Social Worker, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Remember it’s okay not to feel okay. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_IcpK-Kvmw

Antonio Ferreira, Mental Health Activist and Lucy Presley Deputy Lead Nurse for Mental Health
Best For You NHS - In Conversation
Anxiety and Depression
Mental Health Activist, Antonio Ferreira, and Deputy Lead Nurse for Mental Health, Lucy Presley, answer young people’s questions about anxiety and depression. They discuss why depression is common in young people, stigma and cures.
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KY_sjISGsg


Thursday 22nd January
Live online: 10:00-11:00am
Stoke and Staffordshire Staff Psychological Wellbeing Hub - Part of Stoke-On-Trent Children’s Services Wellbeing Week, Stoke-On-Trent City Council
Building Self Acceptance
Do you accept yourself just the way you are, or do you have difficulty in accepting some aspects of you? When we are kind to ourselves and accept ourselves just the way we are, we can break free of our limiting beliefs and flourish in all aspects of our life. Come along and be part of the conversation and let us truly embrace our whole self.
This is part of the Stoke-on-Trent City Council week of events as part of the Social Work Today Social Work Wellbeing Week©.
Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stokeandstaffordshirestaffpsychologicalwellbeinghub/1937012

Lisa Winn, Holistic Health Coach and Breathwork Practitioner
Breathwork 101
Breathwork 101 is a gentle, beginner-friendly introduction to breathwork, designed for busy professionals who want practical tools to support calm, energy and emotional resilience.
This mini-course includes three short, accessible videos (approximately 18 minutes in total), where Lisa guides you through:
The foundations of breathwork and how your breath affects your nervous system
Simple breathing techniques to reduce stress and calm a busy mind
Easy ways to use breathwork in daily life — at work, at home, or when you feel overwhelmed
You can move through the videos at your own pace, returning to them whenever you need a reset or a moment of calm.
Please note:
-We recommend watching in a quiet, comfortable space where you can sit or lie down without interruption.
-Breathwork involves conscious control of the breath and may include breath holds. This may not be suitable for everyone.
-If you have any medical conditions affecting your heart, lungs, or circulation, or if you are pregnant, please consult your doctor and review the contraindications before taking part.
For any questions or to discuss your individual suitability, please visit: www.lisawinn.co.uk/breathwork
This is a pre-recorded mini-course video for you to view at your leisure.
Link: https://pages.lisawinn.co.uk/breathwork-101


Friday 23rd January
Sarah Murphy, Mental Health UK expert, Mental Health UK
How to look after your own mental health whilst maintaining the wellbeing of your team
This webinar will explore how you can take care of your own mental health, while also making sure you're supporting your team's mental health. It features an interview with Mental Health UK expert, Sarah Murphy, who will be sharing the importance of self-care and regular check ins with ourselves and our team, as well as talking us through tools such as the Wellness Action Plan and the stress bucket.
This is a pre-recorded video for you to view at your leisure.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ef2KD-q1a8&list=PLLfagAjh6f_Z0PFV7Z1gE9n0YwgBvWjxV

Live online: 2:00-3:00pm
Natalie Robertson, Social Work Well-being Consultant and Coach, The Social Life
The Burnout Cycle: Supporting Wellbeing in High Pressure Social Work
This training introduces The Burnout Cycle (c) framework, offering a clear and practical understanding of how stress escalates into burnout within social work systems.
The session explores the physical and emotional impact of prolonged pressure, the risks of unaddressed burnout, and how organisations and individuals can intervene earlier.
Participants will leave with practical strategies to support wellbeing, improve regulation, and create more sustainable ways of working in complex, high demand environments.
Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3369255277206?p=MmP94yIB90q6FjmPwb
Meeting ID: 336 925 527 720 6
Passcode: M8YF3BN2

Final closing live webinar
Live online: 4:30-5:30pm
Dr Neil Thompson, Award-winning author and educator, The Neil Thompson Academy
Where do we go from here? Making wellness a reality - A Q&A live webinar.
In the final session of the week, Dr Neil Thompson, Award-winning author and educator, responds to some of the questions that have arisen during the event.
This is your opportunity to send your questions for Neil in advance to hello@socialworktoday.co.uk or ask them live in the webinar. The Academy website is at www. Neil Thompson-info.
Link: https://teams.live.com/meet/9370779487506?p=MxmfnF00eHtMmmDZdu
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 937 077 948 750 6
Passcode: 8tS2d5


Please note: By signing up to the 'Social Work Wellbeing Week©' conference, you acknowledge and consent to your details being sent to the speakers participating in live sessions.

Registration is completely free and you can attend as many sessions as you would like.

Social Work Wellbeing Week© 2025. All rights reserved to Social Work Today.