Perform Partners has been shortlisted in the Charitable Business Award category at the Yorkshire Post Awards, recognising a five-year partnership with Leeds Mind.

The nomination reflects five years of support for Leeds Mind, a partnership that has grown steadily since 2021 through the enthusiasm, generosity and commitment of people across the business.

Over that period, employees at Perform Partners have supported Leeds Mind through fundraising, volunteering, advocacy, events and skills-based contributions. Together, those efforts have generated funding equivalent to about 280 counselling sessions for people who need support, along with more than 400 volunteer hours supporting the charity’s wider work.

The numbers tell only part of the story.

What has made the partnership meaningful is the consistency of that support over time. For five years, employees have kept finding ways to contribute, whether by raising funds, volunteering their time, sharing expertise, or championing conversations about mental health across the Leeds business community.

That ongoing commitment has helped strengthen a relationship that continues to support Leeds Mind’s work while encouraging wider conversations about mental health and wellbeing across the region.

Supporting Mental Health Across Leeds

Leeds Mind plays an important role in supporting people experiencing mental health challenges across the city.

As an independent mental health charity, it provides practical support, advice, services and community initiatives that help people navigate difficult periods in their lives. The charity also works closely with employers and community organisations to encourage more open conversations around mental health and workplace wellbeing.

For many people, access to that support can make a significant difference during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Leeds Mind’s work every day is only possible because of the combined efforts of its staff, volunteers, fundraisers, supporters and partners.

A Partnership Built by People

What makes the relationship between Perform Partners and Leeds Mind distinctive is that it has never been driven as a traditional corporate initiative. Instead, it has grown through the passion of people within the business who wanted to support a cause that mattered to them.

Over the past five years, employees have taken part in fundraising challenges including the Leeds 10K, Total Warrior and Leeds Mind Firewalk events. They have supported awareness campaigns, attended community events, volunteered their time, and contributed practical expertise wherever it was useful.

The partnership has also extended beyond fundraising.

Employees have played an active role in the Leeds Mindful Employer Network, contributing to steering group activities, supporting events, helping shape resources and participating in discussions designed to improve workplace wellbeing across the region.

“Perform Partners is unwaveringly supportive of the network and is always promoting us to other businesses and showing support on LinkedIn.”

Leigh Staunton, Project Lead for the Leeds Mindful Employer Network

Why Long-Term Support Matters

Many charitable partnerships begin with good intentions. Consistency often creates the greatest impact.

Over time, Leeds Mind and Perform Partners have built a relationship based on trust, shared values and a genuine desire to support better mental health within the local community.

That continuity has allowed employees to contribute in different ways over the years, from fundraising and volunteering through to advocacy, networking and skills-based support.

For charities, this type of sustained support creates more than financial benefit alone. It helps build stronger relationships, maintain awareness of the charity’s work and develop connections with people who continue to champion its mission within the wider community.

“Perform Partners is one of our longest-serving corporate supporters. Long-term support gives charities like ours the stability and confidence to plan ahead, develop services and be there for the people who need us most.

Not only has the team’s passion driven an amazing fundraising total, but they have also provided value to our charity in so many more ways. By our estimates, the team has given us over 400 hours in volunteer time across all the events and pro bono work they have done for us, and they remain committed to doing more for our cause.

Partnerships like this help us build sustainable services, reach more people and continue supporting mental health in our communities for years to come.”

Marie-Louise Robinson, Corporate and Events Fundraiser at Leeds Mind

Learning Through Partnership

The relationship with Leeds Mind has also shaped conversations within Perform Partners.

Through involvement in the Leeds Mindful Employer Network and wider Leeds Mind activities, employees have had opportunities to learn from other organisations, share experiences, and contribute to discussions about workplace wellbeing.

The business became a signatory of the Mindful Employer Charter in 2023 and continues to participate in initiatives that encourage greater awareness and understanding of mental health across the region.

Those experiences have reinforced an important lesson: supporting wellbeing is not a campaign or a one-off initiative. It develops through listening, learning and creating environments where people feel able to talk openly and seek support when they need it.

One way this has been encouraged internally is through a network of Wellbeing Champions across the business, helping keep conversations about wellbeing visible and accessible throughout the year.

Recognition for a Collective Effort

“Leeds Mind’s mission aligns closely with our belief that people perform at their best when they feel supported, valued and able to talk openly about their wellbeing.

What started through an existing relationship and the passion of people within our business has developed into a long-term partnership that reflects our values.

Through our fundraising work, the Leeds Mindful Employer Network and Leeds Mind’s business events, we’ve been able to learn from others, share our own experiences and play an active role in promoting positive mental health across the Leeds business community.”

Alice Benton, Business Operations Analyst & Wellbeing Champion at Perform Partners

“We work inside organisations going through change, and change is often where people’s mental health comes under pressure.

What has stood out throughout this partnership is the generosity of our people. They have given their time, shared their expertise, supported events and raised money because they genuinely care about the difference Leeds Mind makes.

This nomination is recognition of that collective effort and of the work Leeds Mind continues to do every day across our community.”

Shaun Walsh, Co-founder and Director at Perform Partners

Looking Ahead

The Yorkshire Post Business Awards shortlist provides an opportunity to celebrate everyone who has contributed to this partnership over the last five years.

More importantly, it highlights the ongoing need for accessible mental health support and the organisations, charities, volunteers, and fundraisers who work hard to make that support available.

We are proud to support Leeds Mind, grateful for everything the charity continues to do across Leeds and look forward to continuing that support in the years ahead.