New results from mindfulness course evaluations for staff over three years, show significant improvements in wellbeing and mental health across all scales measured. The evaluation, by Professor Clara Strauss and Isabel Cage, show the importance of mindfulness for staff wellbeing in the NHS.
Between May 2022 and May 2025, Sussex Mindfulness Centre offered eight‑week mindfulness courses to 479 NHS staff across Sussex. These courses aimed to support wellbeing, reduce stress and strengthen skills that help staff meet the demands of often challenging roles. The evaluation looked at the outcomes for staff, as well as their personal experiences of taking part.
“The course has helped me to understand myself better, to be kinder to myself, and to handle the stresses of work and life in a calmer and more thoughtful way. It has made a real difference to how I show up for myself and for others.”
What the analysis showed
Of the 479 people who took the course, 239 completed measures both before and after. Across this group, there were clear and statistically significant improvements on every outcome measure included in the evaluation. Scores for depression, anxiety, stress and burnout went down. Scores for wellbeing, mindfulness skills, self‑compassion and compassion for others went up. Effect sizes ranged from small to large depending on the measure.
These findings are consistent with wider research on mindfulness in workplace settings, although this evaluation did not include a comparison group, so it cannot claim causation. Even so, the pattern of change reflects what previous studies have found and is in line with national guidance from NICE, which recommends that all organisations offer mindfulness courses to staff on an ongoing basis.
The evaluation also looked at differences between participants. Staff who did not complete the post‑course measures had higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress at the start of the course. The reasons for this are not yet known, and this is an area for future exploration. There were no meaningful differences in outcomes between staff from different NHS trusts. There were some differences between job roles, although these may be partly explained by different baseline scores.
What staff told us
The quantitative findings only tell part of the story. The evaluation also included detailed written feedback from participants, which gives insight into how the courses supported people day to day.
Practical techniques for busy days
Many staff described simple practices they could use immediately. One participant said the course gave “techniques, information and motivation”, including short “breathing spaces” that could be used “during work or personal life”. Others highlighted learning to “be in the present moment rather than constantly thinking about the past or the future”, and “to not be on autopilot”. Several noted that this helped them “take notice of the things that we take for granted”.
Greater awareness of body and mind
Participants valued the “reflective space” to spend “kind, meaningful time” with themselves. They reported becoming more “in tune” with physical and emotional cues, noticing where they “hold tension” and recognising “physical signs of stress”. People also spoke about being “more able to notice when my brain is jumping ahead and making assumptions about things”, which supported a clearer understanding of personal “identity” and “core values”.
More compassion and patience
A strong theme was a shift towards kindness. As one person put it, the course reinforced “the kind space we need to create for ourselves in daily life” and gave tools “to engage with the world and with myself and my mind in a kind and compassionate way”. Participants described becoming “less self‑critical”, setting “less unrealistic expectations”, and developing an “awareness of common humanity”. People also noticed changes in relationships: “my empathy towards others has improved” and “my attitude to my closest family has softened”, with one participant feeling like “a kinder, more patient family member”. Several added that this translated into improved care for patients and a kinder tone in teams.
Responding differently to difficulties
Staff described gaining the “ability to slow down and reflect”, to “take time out” and “a step back”, and a “shift in mindset” to not feel guilty for pausing. People spoke about “finding a sense of control over my own reactions”, and also learning to be “okay with not being in control of a situation and letting it be”. Others highlighted tolerating difficult emotions “without judgement or a rush to resolve them”. A small number felt that while the course helped with everyday pressures, it did not address “serious stress” in their lives — a useful reminder of the limits of an eight‑week programme and the value of signposting to additional support where needed.
What got in the way
Some participants found it hard to keep up with home meditation, saying it was “often difficult to allocate time” and to fit practice “around a full‑time job with commute”. Others reported that this “became easier” once they started putting aside a small, regular slot.
High levels of satisfaction and engagement
Course satisfaction was very high. On average, staff rated the course 8.24 out of 9, and they reported practising mindfulness independently on about five days each week. They also found the course helpful for managing personal difficulties, mental health, wellbeing, interpersonal relationships and the wellbeing of clients and colleagues. Engagement was strong across the group.
What this means for staff and services
The findings from this evaluation offer strong support for continuing to provide mindfulness courses to NHS staff. Staff experienced improvements across many areas of wellbeing and described meaningful benefits in both their personal and professional lives. Mindfulness helped people understand themselves more deeply, respond to challenges with more steadiness and relate to others with more care.
To capture the overall spirit of the evaluation, one participant summed up their experience in a way that reflects many of the themes described above, “The course has helped me to understand myself better, to be kinder to myself, and to handle the stresses of work and life in a calmer and more thoughtful way. It has made a real difference to how I show up for myself and for others.”
Overall, this evaluation suggests that mindfulness courses can play an important role in supporting NHS staff wellbeing. The benefits reported by staff are likely to have positive effects not only on individuals but also on teams and the people they care for.