MediaCityUK to launch first Wellbeing LIVE season

Wellbeing LIVE is supported by a raft of celebrities who are passionate about shining a light on mental health issues including actress Denise Welch, BBC broadcaster Katie Thistleton, Anna Richardson, TV presenter, journalist and co-founder of Mindbox and Jeff Brazier.

Actress and presenter Denise Welch and BBC Radio 1 presenter, Katie Thistleton will launch the week by hosting a candid discussion on ‘living with long term depression’, while later in the week, actress Shobna Gulati, Rosena Allin Khan, and Jeff Brazier, will address the issue of loss and bereavement.  Anna Richardson will wrap the week by delivering a panel on managing stress and anxiety.

Between panel sessions, there will be uplifting workshops and practical sessions covering topics from what to wear after we emerge from lockdown, hosted by the BBC’s ‘You Are What You Wear’ team, to how to re-connect with colleagues to practical ways you can manage stress, support others and challenge ‘imposter syndrome’.

Josie Cahill, MediaCityUK Place Director, said: “Even before COVID-19, the likelihood of a mental health problem in the creative, media and tech industries was estimated to be three times that of the general population. And the pandemic has only heightened these issues. Wellbeing LIVE couldn’t be more timely – as lockdown restrictions ease our community is gradually returning to the workplace and it can be an anxious time for many. We want as many people as possible to access and benefit from these free events and we hope they are the first of many.”

Katie Thistleton, BBC Radio One Presenter, said: “The support we’ve received from high profile faces across the MediaCityUK community has been incredible and I’m delighted to be involved in this important series of events which I hope will help support, inspire and uplift people as they move forward into more normal times. The message is loud and clear – if you feel anxious, low, or filled with self-doubt, you’re not alone and there’s plenty of support out there.”

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4.0 Group, operators of HOST, said: “We are proud to partner with MediaCityUK and working with Irwin Mitchell and others, to bring this wellbeing event not only to our innovation communities here in the North West, but beyond as well. Having worked closely with tech founders and the freelance community through our FreelanceHER 100 programme, we’re aware of the struggles that people experience with their mental health as part of their daily lives. That’s why it is so important that we continue working together to create a supportive community and particularly, keep the conversation going about positive wellbeing.”

Each event is free to attend and there is no limit on how many sessions you can sign up for. Find the full list of events here and more about the event series here.

Wellbeing LIVE is a partnership with MediaCityUK-based skills and technology hub, HOST and also supported by many organisations across MediaCityUK and Salford including BUPA, Salford City Council and mental health peer support charity, Talk About It Mate.

The week of events is also kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell, which provides legal and financial services to businesses and individuals operating from 15 locations.