Leading by example: Embedding wellbeing into everyday working life

Emma Henigan, Managing Director of Vocational Training Services (VTS), has long believed that mental and physical health should be viewed with equal importance. This approach shapes how her 21‑strong team operates, as well as how the organisation supports the apprentices and employers it works with each year.

With support from Able Futures, Emma has been able to extend that commitment further - embedding practical mental health support across her team, learners and wider employer network.

Introducing practical support

VTS became aware of Able Futures in late 2025. The service delivers the Government’s Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, offering no cost and accessible support for people experiencing mental health challenges at work - including apprentices and self-employed individuals.

Through Able Futures, individuals can receive up to nine months of tailored support from qualified Mental Health Coaches, helping them manage symptoms such as anxiety, stress and depression.

Emma explains:

“I’ve always felt mental health is just as important as physical health. The quality of what you deliver comes from your team being settled and nurtured. If people work in a supportive culture, have a good work-life balance, and are given the chance to grow then staff retention, motivation, and performance speak for themselves.

When I learnt of Able Futures, I just knew I needed to get it out there, both to my team and our employer partners.”

More than training

VTS delivers a range of work-based training programmes, specialising in early years, health and care, and works predominantly with young learners aged 19–25. These are often high-pressure sectors where the need for qualified staff continues to grow.

Emma reflects on the role the organisation plays in supporting learners:

“I came here as a tutor delivering apprenticeships 19 years ago. We’re not just a tutor – we become the learner's go-to person generally.

Our 19-25 years age group are those who left education during Covid. We deal a lot with our learners’ mental health struggles, and I’ve seen apprentices leave workplaces where those mental health needs were not met. I now spend a lot of my time researching and working with our employers to empower them, to help them support their staff, and propagate that positive culture. Having Able Futures on hand gives us the confidence to suggest something tangible and useful to them.”

Spreading awareness across the network

After learning more about the service, Able Futures was invited to present to the VTS team, outlining how the support works and how it can benefit individuals, line managers and employers.

Recognising the value of the offer, particularly its accessibility, flexibility and no-cost nature, Emma quickly introduced it across the organisation and its wider network.

This included:

• Sharing Able Futures information with employer partners
• Featuring the service in learner and employer newsletters
• Promoting resources across social channels
• Creating a dedicated Able Futures page on the VTS website
• Introducing the service at a regional provider networking group

A partnership with lasting impact

For VTS, supporting mental health is not a standalone initiative. It is part of how the organisation supports its people and the wider community it works with.

Emma concludes:

“Mental health and wellbeing are so important in a modern workplace. Our partnership with Able Futures reflects how seriously we take that. For our own team, our learners, and their employers, we are there – with Able Futures – to support them.”