Annual awareness event Time to Talk Day takes place this year on Thursday 6 February 2025.
A joint initiative of mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Talk Day aims to overturn the stigma attached to mental health issues by providing an opportunity for friends, families, communities and workplaces to get together and open up about mental health.
The event was launched in 2014 to highlight how important it is to share how we are feeling.
Last year it was discovered that nearly two thirds of the UK public put on a brave face to avoid talking about their mental health.
Studies also found that nearly half of us are less likely to open up about our own experiences as we don’t want to worry others in already difficult times.
However, talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone.
Talking to others about how we are feeling can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it.
At Bookers & Bolton, we are very proud to support Time for Talk Day.
As a busy law firm, we recognise the pressures of working in the legal world.
Last year we started a new initiative, the brainchild of our Practice Manager, Paula Langley, called ’Ten minutes at Ten’ to help combat work-based stress.
All employees are invited to join a session where we start our day with a moment to chat, reflect on things we are grateful for, listen to some positive affirmations, and share an interesting video or podcast that has supported us.
Keeping it simple, Paula or the firm’s Senior Partner, Gideon Cristofoli, lead the sessions and there is no obligation for anyone to share or say anything, just experience ten minutes of calm focus to set them up for the day.
Paula said: “I realised that with so many of us working remotely we didn’t always have that support network in place for our mental health.
“We would meet to discuss work or challenges but not discuss our own personal health and wellbeing.
“The idea behind Ten minutes at Ten came to me when so many of my colleagues would say they didn’t have time for self-care. My response now is we all have ten minutes – we give you permission as a firm to have ten minutes.
“It’s been a positive and powerful tool to ensure we all feel connected and part of something kind and good. This is essential for a happy workplace.”
With mental health being at an all-time low in workplaces across the UK, Bookers & Bolton Solicitors are trying to break the mould with just ten minutes positive self-focus each day.
The firm also has Mind Mental Health First Aiders and supports various charitable and community initiatives.
Mind’s Time to Talk day on 6 February is one such example that the firm will be encouraging its team to take up.
To mark the event, Havant and East Hants Mind is hosting a drop-in space between 10am and 2pm at the Mental Health Hub in Havant for anyone who would like to come and learn more about its services or just have a chat.
Havant’s Mental Health Hub is located within Meridian Shopping Centre, which is next to Havant Bus Station and just a three-minute walk from Havant Train Station.
Find out more on Mind’s Havant and East Hants website by clicking here.
Supporting Clients
At Bookers & Bolton, we know that our clients are often under extreme stress and pressure when they need our services, and we have sessions to train staff on how to support clients through these moments.
We are always kind, offer as much information and support as we can, and ensure that our clients suffer as little stress as possible during difficult times.
We know that we are not therapists, and we also know that the kindness and understanding we show someone who has lost a loved one, is moving house, experiencing a family break up or buying or selling a business, can be extremely impactful.
We care about the service we provide and hope that we can make these situations better.
Solicitors Alton
At Bookers & Bolton, we don’t judge ‘success’ on the standard of legal services alone.
We also put great emphasis on the wellbeing of our staff, the experience of our clients, and the extent to which we help our community.
We are delighted to support as many local initiatives as we can and many of our staff members regularly raise money for their own charities.
We have built a reputation for quality and reliability in Hampshire and the South and we are committed to maintaining and building on that reputation.
You can read about some of the initiatives we support on our community page by clicking here.
