Developing a new platform to represent disabled people in the workforce
Written by: Yara Duaik - 11th September 2025
When I tell people what I do for a living, I often get curious looks. It is difficult to describe innovation in health and care.
My six-year-old daughter thinks I work in a clinical role because, as she puts it, “Mummy helps people get better.” My eight-year-old son is sure I work in tech, designing apps, since I’m always talking about digital projects. In their own way, they’re both right. I work at the intersection of health and innovation, helping to create tools that support people’s wellbeing.
One of the projects I’m most proud to be involved in is the Wellmind Health ‘Be Mindful Workplace’.
Designing for real life, not assumptions
Be Mindful is a digital mental health programme developed by Wellmind Health, a company specialising in therapeutic tools. The platform has already supported more than 14,000 people to improve their mental health. Building on this success, and working in partnership with Evenbreak, renowned for its expertise in inclusive employment, we are co-creating Be Mindful Workplace. This version is being designed with and for people with lived experience of disability, ensuring it meets users’ needs and achieves the highest standards of accessibility.
The programme is funded by SBRI Healthcare as part of a national call for digital solutions to address poor mental health related to work. It offers mindfulness-based therapy that people can access independently and on their own pace.
People who experience disabilities, including physical, developmental, neurological, sensory and cognitive, are vastly underrepresented in employment. According to recent figures published by Wellmind, just over half of people who experience disabilities are in work, compared to more than 80 percent of people without. In addition to these systemic inequalities, many also face compounding mental health challenges such as anxiety, low confidence and isolation – often made worse by inaccessible support or repeated negative experiences in the workplace.
People with such these lived experiences have shaped the project from day one. We have worked alongside them to use their insights to influence various features within the platform. This is not a tool designed around assumptions. It has been built around real-life needs and expectations.
Supporting national priorities and local voices
Be Mindful Workplace responds to the ambitions of the Get Britain Working White Paper, which calls for inclusive employment support. It also reflects the UK Government’s NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England by putting people at the centre of care and listening to communities to shape services to reflect what matters to them.
Involving people with lived experience has led to a more inclusive design, a better user experience and a more meaningful sense of trust in the solution we’re creating.
This isn’t just about policy alignment. It’s about authentic co-creation that genuinely helps people feel seen, supported and empowered.
Starting with people
At Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, we see Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement as a starting point in the care journey. We pride ourselves on not presenting products to our patients at a final stage of implementation.
The result is something stronger, clearer and far more relevant. Lived experience has brought nuance and depth to various stages of the development. It has helped us to understand the barriers people face and uncover ideas we may never have reached on our own.
What we’ve learned
One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been the generosity of the people involved. They didn’t just critique features – they helped us design better ones. They raised questions, shared difficult truths and offered suggestions rooted in daily reality.
We’ve learned how easily the wrong material choices can discourage someone from engaging, or how something as simple as contrasting colours, font choices or tone of voice can change the experience from a supportive one to an overwhelming one. We’ve seen that accessibility is about much more than just functionality – it’s about inclusion, respect, and trust.
Working with people has also strengthened our team. Seeing the impact of this work on real lives brings motivation, purpose and clarity. It reminds us why we do what we do.
Let’s talk
If you’re planning a digital health project or thinking about how to bring more lived experiences into your work, I’d encourage you to begin by listening. Meaningful involvement isn’t about perfect processes -it’s about the relationships we build and the insight we’re open to receiving.
Whether you’re just starting out or refining an existing approach, we’re always happy to share what we’ve learned and explore how we can support your work. Sometimes it only takes one conversation to change the shape of a project. And that change might be exactly what someone needs.
If you’d like to explore how we can support your innovation project with meaningful involvement, get in touch. We’re always happy to explore collaboration.
yara.duaik@healthinnovationyh.com
adele.bunch@healthinnovationyh.com