Creating supportive workspaces for employee wellbeing

As Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 concludes, small business leaders face a critical question: how can we create workspaces that genuinely support employee wellbeing with limited resources and small teams?

Recent research reveals that workplace mental health challenges affect small businesses disproportionately, with 67% of small business employees reporting experiencing work-related stress compared to 59% in larger organisations. Yet small businesses are uniquely positioned to create supportive environments that can make a profound difference to employee wellbeing.

The state of small business mental health in 2025

The landscape of workplace mental health has evolved significantly in recent years. The 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Report from Mind UK reveals several important trends for small businesses:

• 78% of employees now consider mental health support when choosing employers
• Small businesses that prioritise mental wellbeing report 31% lower staff turnover
• 83% of small business owners experienced symptoms of burnout in the past year
• Flexible working arrangements correlate with a 47% reduction in stress-related absences

These statistics highlight both the challenges and opportunities for small businesses addressing workplace mental health. While resources may be limited compared to larger organisations, the close-knit nature of small teams creates unique advantages for implementing effective wellbeing strategies.

Why workspace matters for mental wellbeing

Your physical workspace significantly impacts mental health and employee wellbeing, with research from the University of Exeter finding that employees who have control over their work environment are up to 32% more productive and report higher job satisfaction.

The physical environment connection

Elements of your workspace that directly influence mental wellbeing include:

• Natural light exposure: Workspaces with adequate natural light are associated with 51% fewer reports of eyestrain and 63% fewer headaches
• Noise management: Excessive noise increases stress hormones and can reduce productivity by up to 66%
• Biophilic elements: Incorporating plants and natural materials can reduce stress and increase creativity
• Temperature control: Comfortable temperatures improve concentration and reduce irritability
• Personal space: Adequate personal space reduces anxiety and improves focus

For small businesses, especially those in shared or flexible workspaces, finding environments that incorporate these elements can significantly boost team wellbeing without requiring expensive office redesigns.

The flexibility factor

The ability to choose where and how to work has emerged as a crucial factor in workplace mental health. A 2024 study by the Mental Health Foundation found that flexible working arrangements reduced work-related mental health issues by 43%.

Small businesses can leverage flexible workspace options to provide:

• Choice between collaborative and quiet zones
• Opportunities to change scenery when feeling stuck
• Reduced commuting stress through neighbourhood workspace options
• Better work-life boundaries compared to home-based working
• Professional environments without the isolation of remote work

Building community: The small business mental health advantage

While large corporations invest millions in formal mental health programmes, small businesses have a natural advantage that money can’t buy: community. Close-knit teams can create supportive environments where people feel genuinely seen and valued.

The power of belonging

Research from Harvard Business Review shows that a sense of belonging is one of the strongest predictors of workplace wellbeing. Small businesses can foster belonging through:

• Regular team rituals that bring people together
• Creating opportunities for meaningful connection beyond work tasks
• Celebrating individual and team achievements
• Encouraging authentic communication about challenges
• Building psychological safety where people can be themselves

Extending your community through shared workspaces

For very small teams or solo entrepreneurs, workspace communities provide valuable social connection that supports employee wellbeing. A 2024 survey of flexible workspace members found that 72% reported reduced feelings of isolation compared to home working, with 68% saying their mental health had improved since joining a shared workspace.

Practical mental health strategies for small business leaders

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, consider implementing these practical strategies that leverage your workspace and community to support mental wellbeing:

1. Create a wellbeing-focused workspace audit

Evaluate your current workspace against these mental health-supporting criteria:

• Access to natural light
• Noise levels and acoustic comfort
• Availability of both collaborative and quiet spaces
• Biophilic elements (plants, natural materials)
• Personalisation opportunities
• Air quality and ventilation
• Ergonomic comfort

Use the results to make targeted improvements or consider alternative workspace options that better support wellbeing.

2. Implement “environment switching” practices

Encourage team members to change their work environment based on their tasks and mental state:

• Designate specific areas for focused work versus collaboration
• Create protocols for when team members need quiet time
• Utilise outdoor spaces for one-to-one meetings or brainstorming
• Consider flexible workspace memberships that provide environment variety

3. Establish community wellbeing rituals

Build regular practices that foster connection and support:

• Weekly team lunches where work talk is discouraged
• Monthly employee wellbeing check-ins where everyone shares honestly
• Celebration rituals for personal and professional milestones
• Buddy systems where team members check in on each other
• Community volunteering that builds connection while giving back

4. Model healthy boundaries

As a small business leader, your behaviour sets the tone:

• Demonstrate clear work/life boundaries
• Take visible breaks during the workday
• Use holiday time genuinely disconnected from work
• Share your own mental health challenges appropriately
• Respect others’ boundaries around availability

5. Leverage workspace community events

If you’re in a shared or flexible workspace:

• Encourage team participation in community events
• Join industry meet ups or skill-sharing sessions
• Participate in well-being focused activities like yoga or meditation
• Build relationships with other businesses for mutual support
• Use community managers as resources for team building

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Taking action

This Mental Health Awareness Week, themed “Connection in a Digital Age,” presents an ideal opportunity for small businesses to evaluate and enhance their approach to workplace mental health.

Consider these specific actions:

1. Host a workspace wellbeing lunch: Invite your team to discuss how your physical environment affects their mental health and brainstorm improvements
2. Implement a “connection hour” policy: Designate time each week specifically for team members to connect without work agenda items
3. Create a wellbeing resource library: Compile mental health resources specifically relevant to your industry and make them accessible to all team members
4. Review your workspace arrangement: Assess whether your current workspace supports or hinders mental wellbeing and explore alternatives if needed
5. Develop a small business mental health pledge: Create a public commitment to specific mental health practices your business will maintain

Small business, big impact

While small businesses may lack the resources of larger organisations, they have unique advantages in creating mentally healthy workplaces. Through thoughtful workspace design, community building, and authentic leadership, small businesses can create environments where people thrive mentally as well as professionally.

As we move beyond Mental Health Awareness Week, remember that the most effective mental health strategies aren’t always the most expensive – they’re the most genuine. By creating workspaces and communities that truly support wellbeing, small businesses can make a profound difference in their team members’ lives while building more resilient, sustainable organisations.

Work.Life provides flexible workspaces designed with wellbeing in mind. Book a tour of your nearest location to discover how our workspace communities support small business mental health. Or subscribe to The Ground Up, our monthly newsletter delivering practical insights on workspace strategy and wellbeing to over 2,000 business leaders.