Festival aims to help employees press the ‘reset’ button

The founder of Calm in Box has launched her innovative wellbeing festival for 2025, which aims to help employees “reset”.

Sarah Markham, whose business works with companies across the UK to help teams function better through consultancy, workshops and coaching, has opened up applications for CALMFest.

Now in its third year, CALMFest is a festival of events, activities and challenges, which run online during Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place this year from 12 to 16 May.

Organisations across the UK and abroad have been signing up to the festival, which features three half-hour sessions run online each day, designed to help employees thrive by learning from experts on a range of topics.

Over the years the festival has been running, it has seen over 3,000 sessions booked.

Sponsored by the Nuclear Industry Association, this year’s CALMFest will feature sessions on gut health – delivered by nutritionist Karen Newby – how to build neuro inclusive workplaces, dealing with money anxieties, managing the menopause, support with better sleep with The Sleep Charity, plus sessions on yoga, chair-based Pilates and breathwork.

Sarah said: “Our mantra at Calm in a Box is for people to ‘slow down to go faster’.

“We believe that employees will be far more productive if they have the right energy levels to thrive at work and to do that it is crucial for organisation leaders to realise that a thriving workforce is a calmer one.

“I’ve been blown away by the success of CALMFest so far and I’d love to see more organisations in Derbyshire and around the UK – and abroad – sign up and see what it’s all about.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is the ideal time to host our festival, and we will be raising funds for Mind along the way.”

This year’s event will feature a daily CALM mini masterclass with special guests, plus 1% CALMer challenges with prizes up for grabs and the chance to connect as a community during the final Friday session.

All events will be booked via the CALM hub and session recordings will also be made available for seven days.

The sign-up deadline is 31 March for participating organisations.

The entrance fee includes unlimited access to the events and activities programme for a company’s people, with the option for participants to make a voluntary donation to Mind when taking part.

To sign up e-mail hello@calminabox.co.uk.