PRESS RELEASE: 2nd September 2025
An event prioritising health and wellbeing in the workplace will be hitting Edinburgh this autumn and has revealed its packed agenda.
The People First Summit, hosted by leading organisation Wellbeing at Work and national mental health charity Change Mental Health, will bring together some of Scotland’s biggest businesses and organisations to spotlight how the nation can advance the health, wellbeing and performance of employees within workplaces.
Taking place on Thursday 23rd October 2025 at the Royal College of Physicians, the day will provide a useful environment for employers across Scotland to learn, connect and engage, while enabling thriving workplaces and employees.
Keynote speakers and panellists will come from the likes of Google, Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, Natwest Group, City of Edinburgh Council, Royal Mail and Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.
Panels will explore the role of leaders championing the wellbeing charge, reimagining wellbeing through developing modern wellbeing strategies, and how we can all build a positive and thriving culture. The event will allow time for interactive sessions, peer learning and networking to share knowledge of cultivating thriving workplace cultures.
Key takeaways from the event will look to create links of a healthy workforce while enhancing organisational health, looking to support organisations in having their team effective, high-performing and enjoying their work.
Research from Deloitte shows that for every £1 spent on mental health, employers see an average return of £5.30 through reduced absence, turnover and improved productivity. During a time when 9 in 10 UK employees have been experienced burnout in the past year, as noted in the 2025 Burnout Report by Mental Health UK (a sister charity of Change Mental Health), it has never been a more vital time for organisations to focus on the importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Wellbeing at Work have put themselves on the map in delivering highly successful leadership summits around the world over the last 10 years, with many highly influential events from Canada to Australia and countries in between.
Chris Cummings, CEO of Wellbeing at Work, who will deliver an introductory speech on the day, said:
“We are delighted to bring a focused Wellbeing at Work event to the beautiful city of Edinburgh this October. I’m particularly excited to be partnering and working with the excellent team at Change Mental Health who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the event. It really will be a day not to miss!”
Change Mental Health has partnered with the organisation following the announcement of their new mental health training offer – a charity providing non-clinical and person-centred support to communities for over half a century, changing attitudes and fighting stigma around mental illness and mental health.
Nick Ward, CEO at Change Mental Health, who will also speak on the day, said:
“At Change Mental Health, we’ve spent over five decades supporting individuals, families and communities across Scotland. Much of that work has focusing on helping people during moments of crisis when they are at their most vulnerable.
“But what if people had the tools, confidence and culture around them to maintain their wellbeing before things reached breaking point? That’s why we’ve partnered with Wellbeing at Work for the People First Summit this autumn: ensuring that we are providing an environment for employers across Scotland to learn, connect and engage, and to enable thriving workplaces and employees.”
For further information please visit the event website at HERE
