Meeting needs to the beat of a drum

Our Head of Income Generation Wendy Sheppard recently attended a local Mind network event, where she had the opportunity to connect with colleagues and share best practices. One of the highlights of the day was an optional activity that truly resonated with Wendy. Here, she shares her experience and the impact it had.

This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Warwick for an annual gathering of leaders from the local Mind network, a space filled with passionate, purpose-driven individuals working to improve mental health in communities across the country.

Events like this always reaffirm why I do what I do at Suffolk Mind and why our work matters. More than anything, the experience helped me reconnect with key emotional needs that can often be overlooked in professional life such as Meaning & Purpose, Community, and Achievement.

One item on the agenda stood out: “Drumming Workshop Activity – optional.”

Optional? I thought – who would want to miss that?

As it turned out, a few colleagues chose to catch up on emails or finish off work during the session. But the majority of us decided to take part and by the evening, those who didn’t join us were wishing they had.

These moments, the rare and unexpected ones, are often where we find the most value. They’re the opportunities to say yes and to try something new, step outside routine, and connect with others in a different way.

Behind the conference suite, we discovered a vibrant room full of percussion instruments from around the world. Naturally, I went straight for one of the largest drums.

We each picked up an instrument, from traditional drums to an oddly ‘delightful’ double-headed cowbell. At first, the room filled with chaotic noise, but under the calm guidance of just two facilitators, we were split into groups and given rhythms to follow.

What began as a discordant jumble slowly evolved. With focus and teamwork, we created something harmonious.

Within 20 minutes, we were playing in sync, layering rhythms and enjoying the energy we had built together.

Looking around the room, I felt a genuine sense of Achievement, not just for hitting the right beats, but for stepping out of my comfort zone, engaging in something creative, and sharing in the collective success of the group.

This is what it means to meet emotional needs in action. Activities like this, however unconventional, enhance wellbeing by building confidence, strengthening connections, and creating space for joy.

So next time you attend a conference or corporate event, and there’s an “optional” activity on the schedule, I encourage you to say yes. It might just be the most rewarding part of your day.

Learn more about how to meet emotional needs at work and support mental wellbeing across your organisation.