Driving Innovation in 24/25

Helen Brook’s bold and fearless approach in 1964 has underpinned our work ever since and we are passionate about pioneering innovative services to improve health outcomes for diverse communities. Our holistic approach to sexual health provision has always addressed people’s broader wellbeing concerns. We continue to build on the trust invested in us and are determined to expand and reach more people than ever.

Innovative early intervention wellbeing hubs

In 2024, Brook opened new wellbeing hubs at the heart of local communities to help address the devastating shortfall in mental health provision for young people. The two hubs, in Blackburn and Cornwall, offer place-based early intervention mental health support for young people aged 11-24 with self-referral options.

Whether through our unique My Life one-to-one sessions or innovative mental health literacy programme, the hubs provide young people access to trained specialists and counsellors to improve their wellbeing. The hubs are co-located with Brook’s sexual health clinics and enhance our capacity to provide communities with holistic care which recognises the intrinsic links between mental and sexual health. Since opening, the hubs have provided over 1,300 interventions for young people. 

Throughout 2024 and 2025, Brook hosted a learning network for the 24 organisations with hubs funded by the Department of Health & Social Care.  In partnership with Youth Access, Brook convened regular thought leadership events to collaborate, share best practice in young people’s mental health, and discuss the operational realities of early intervention provision. 

Addressing menopause stigma in cornwall

Women generally experience poorer health outcomes than men and it is estimated that the annual economic impact of women’s health conditions is £11 billion.   

In March 2025, Brook concluded our three-year Menopause in the Workplace pilot in Cornwall. Funded by the Department of Health & Social Care, the initiative combined free training for local businesses, our menopause My Life programme for employees and digital outreach.

The programme aimed to fight stigma by promoting workplace understanding and support on the menopause. Following the pilot’s success, we developed a new commercial programme of workplace menopause training and one-to-one support. This will expand the geographic reach of the programme ensuring that even more people experiencing menopause or peri-menopause can benefit from our innovative, holistic support.  

Leading the four-day week in the charity sector

Following a successful six-month pilot, Brook introduced the four-day week as a permanent staff benefit in April 2024. Brook is the first clinical service provider to be accredited by the Four Day Week Foundation, as well as being one of only a few charities to adopt the innovative wellbeing initiative. Throughout 2024/25, we have shared our learning with other organisations and charity leaders, speaking at conferences and taking part in thought leadership events to demonstrate the positive impact the initiative has on recruitment, retention and staff wellbeing.