Employee assistance provider earns top Health and Wellbeing award

Multi-award-winning employee assistance provider (EAP) The Listening Centre has been recognised once again - earning the Health & Wellbeing Award at Keele University's Breaking the Mould Awards.

The award recognises The Listening Centre's approach to workplace mental health provision, which prioritises clinical autonomy, tailored therapeutic matching, and person-centred care over rigid, standardised models.

Sharon McCormick, founder of The Listening Centre, said: "This award validates everything we've built over 23 years. We've never agreed with the conveyor-belt approach to workplace mental health—strict session limits, standardised interventions regardless of individual need.

"We've always believed people deserve better, and it's incredibly meaningful to have that recognised."

The Listening Centre - the Chamber's 2025 Greater Birmingham Business of the Year - operates as an independent Employee Assistance Provider across the Midlands, working with 30+ affiliate counsellors who integrate therapeutic approaches based on what each person actually needs.

With a 96 per cent client retention rate, 3 per cent missed appointment rate (compared to 16-27 per cent industry average), and 99 per cent client recommendation rate, the approach demonstrates measurable impact.