How Mental Health Champions at Dreams are driving cultural change
Lara
Wrote this on, September 30, 2025
Dreams is the UK’s best-loved bed retailer, with over 200 stores nationwide and thousands of colleagues working across the country. Like many businesses, Dreams wanted to do more than simply “tick the box” when it came to wellbeing. They wanted to create a culture where colleagues genuinely felt supported, and where conversations about mental health were a normal part of working life.
At the heart of this ambition is their Mental Health Champions Network, led by Abi Griffin, Head of Colleague Experience, and supported by Everymind at Work.
From silence to open conversations
Mental health hadn’t always been openly discussed at Dreams. As Abi explains:
“Mental health had never been a topic that people felt comfortable or open talking about. Putting a strong network in place, with a partner to support us, has been amazing.”
The Champions, drawn from across the business, now play a pivotal role in keeping wellbeing visible. They share resources, check in with peers, and reinforce Dreams’ commitment to colleague wellbeing.
For Barret Stoddart, Store Manager, the Everymind training has been life-changing. He says, “I feel set and ready with the training to have those conversations. I’ve got a good toolkit to support me, and I feel empowered to push my role forward and help as many people as I can.”
Ongoing support, not just one-off training
One of the things that makes the network work is the ongoing support Champions receive. They have access to monthly development sessions, either live or on demand, so learning never stops.
Abi reflects, “It hasn’t been a ‘here’s the training, now get on with it’ approach. The constant support is there for them.”
This means Champions feel confident, connected, and consistently equipped with new tools and knowledge, rather than being left to manage on their own.
Voices from across the business
What stands out most about the Mental Health Champions Network at Dreams is the personal drive of those involved. Champions step forward not just to complete a role, but because they care deeply about the wellbeing of their colleagues.
For Robert Houghton, Delivery Service Driver, that commitment has been life-changing both for him and those he has supported: “I know for a fact I’ve stopped two people from leaving the company.”
That kind of impact shows the power of equipping everyday colleagues with the tools and confidence to step into meaningful conversations. It’s not just about raising awareness, it’s about protecting people, keeping teams together, and creating a workplace where colleagues feel they belong.
Data-driven wellbeing
Alongside the Champions, Dreams uses the Everymind platform to monitor and respond to colleague needs. Abi says, “The platform allows us to have a visual view of all our data. We can understand how our colleagues are feeling, where the pain points are, and tailor our wellbeing strategy.”
The results are clear. Champions are logging conversations, reporting that they feel supported, and managers are seeing positive change reflected in survey feedback.
Since partnering with Everymind and introducing a thorough wellbeing strategy, Dreams has increased the score for ‘my manager genuinely cares about my wellbeing’ in their engagement survey by 15%.
Partnership in action
A vital part of the journey has been the partnership with Emily, Everymind’s Wellbeing Business Consultant. Abi describes the relationship:
“Working with Emily is amazing. She’s a real part of our team, taking the time to learn our business and bringing ideas and resources that truly resonate with our colleagues. She’s an absolute data queen!”
Emily’s insight and tailored approach have helped keep the strategy alive, while also creating stronger connections across the business. Champions from different regions and departments are now linked in ways that never would have happened before.
Thriving together
For Barret, the change is evident in his own workplace. “I’m thriving on it. My store’s thriving. Long may that continue, and long may I be able to help my team thrive.”
Abi feels the same sense of momentum: “Our partnership with Everymind feels natural and collaborative. We’re able to have great conversations, share ideas, and have a lot of fun along the way too.”
Dreams’ story shows what is possible when businesses go beyond surface-level initiatives and invest in structured, supported networks. By empowering colleagues, using data to guide decisions, and building genuine partnerships, they have created a culture of wellbeing that benefits both people and performance.
