Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're taking a moment to pause and reflect.
The Fair Collective’s 2025 report, The Mental Health Crisis of Small Organisational Leadership, made for sobering reading. In partnership with NCVO, the findings reveal that 85% of small charity leaders in England experience poor mental health due to their role. Even more worrying, 1 in 5 reported severe impacts including burnout, hospitalisation and suicidal thoughts.
Those working in health, education or with children and young people were hit the hardest. The mix of personal and organisational challenges, layered with wider systemic issues, is leaving small charity leaders isolated and under pressure.
We know this isn’t news to our partners, who are almost exclusively grassroots organisations across the BN postcode. You know the reality of working for a small charity: the constant juggling, the emotional toll, and the pressure to keep going even when resources are low and personal reserves are running dry.
We also know how unhelpful it can feel to be told to “just set boundaries” in a sector that depends so deeply on people’s passion and dedication to their communities. When you're holding so much for others, it’s hard to put yourself first.
But there is hope.
What does The Fair Collective recommend?
Leaders – prioritise self-care, talk openly with your team, and seek support
Boards – focus on wellbeing and supportive relationships, not just finances
Funders – provide flexible, multi-year support and simplify funding processes!
At Enjoolata, we’re working to be a part of the solution. With our new multi-year funding program, and ongoing commitment to grassroots charities, we aim to ease some of the pressure. Alongside our grant funds, we offer wellbeing days, workshops, and space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges you face. Becoming an Enjoolata Partner means joining a network of local, grassroots charities who bring a wealth of experience, insight and mutual support. We're proud of what we’ve built together, but we know we can always do more. We’ll continue to champion small charities and stay guided by your feedback as we grow and learn alongside you.
You are not alone.
If you’re worried about your team’s wellbeing or would like to join one of our upcoming wellbeing sessions, please reach out. We’ll do everything we can to support you, so you can keep doing the incredible work that you do.
To our amazing Enjoolata Community: Thank you! We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re with you.
The Enjoolata Foundation Team x