Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group

The Mindfulness Initiative provides the secretariat for the UK Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG). The MAPPG was set up in 2014 with the stated purpose:

To review research evidence, current best practice, extent and success of implementation, and potential developments in the application of mindfulness within a range of policy areas, and to develop policy recommendations for government based on these findings.

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal cross-party groups of UK politicians who join together to pursue a particular topic or interest area. They are essentially run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords, although many groups involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.

APPGs must reconstitute following a general election, and as such the APPG on Mindfulness has existed in its current form with 12 officers from four parties since holding an 'extraordinary general meeting' on January 21st 2020.

Former Mindfulness APPG Labour Co-Chair, Chris Ruane, asks the Prime Minister a question about mindfulness

The mindfulness programme in the British Parliament has inspired similar initiatives in more 10 other national parliaments around the world. A summary of developments can be found in the 2019 Current Opinion in Psychology article 'Mindfulness in Politics and Public Policy' by Jamie Bristow.

MAPGG Honorary President

Picture of Chris Ruane

Chris Ruane

Chris was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Clwyd North West up until 2019. Chris founded the APPG in 2014 and was Co-Chair for four of the six years up to 2019. He has been asked to continue his involvement with the Mindfulness APPG from outside Westminster by becoming its Honorary President.

MAPPG Co-Chairs

Jessica Morden MP (Labour)

Jess Morden was selected as the Labour Party candidate for Newport East in 2005 and became the first female MP in South East Wales. Before becoming an MP, Jess was General Secretary of Welsh Labour.

Tim Loughton MP (Conservative)

Member of Parliament (MP) for East Worthing and Shoreham since 1997. Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families from 2010-2012.

MAPPG Officers

Vice-Chair: Tracey Crouch MP (Conservative)

Picture of Anne McLaughlin MP

Vice-Chair: Anne McLoughlin (Scottish National Party)

Vice-Chair: Caroline Lucas MP (Green Party)

Vice-Chair: Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP (Conservative)

Vice-Chair: Baroness Lorely Burt (Liberal Democrat)

Vice-Chair: Baroness Angela Harris (Liberal Democrat)

Vice-Chair: Baroness Anna Healy (Labour)

Vice-chair: Lord Alan Howarth of Newport (Labour)

Vice-Chair: Baroness Doreen Lawrence (Labour)

Vice-Chair: Baroness Ruth Lister (Labour)

Vice-Chair: Lord Tom Watson (Labour)

Register

Latest

From Buddhist Centre to Boxing Ring

In the first of a series of blogs on the topic of innovation, Luke Doherty writes about the path to his programme BAM! Boxing and Mindfulness, winner of the 2022 Innovations in Mindfulness Awards.
Mindfulness in Westminster - report launch

A summary of the report of the Mindfulness in Westminster report, held in the Speaker's State Rooms in parliament on 13 September 2023.
Mindfulness in Westminster: Reflections from UK Politicians

Report summarising views of MPs and Peers on the impact of mindfulness training in the British Parliament
New Director Announcement

An announcement regarding the Mindfulness Initiative's incoming director, Richard Edwards.

Reconnection: Meeting the Climate Crisis Inside Out

A report on the relevance of mindfulness and compassion practices to the widespread disconnection from self, others and nature at the root of the climate crisis.
Mindful Nation UK report (and translations)

The first policy document of its kind, investigating the potential for mindfulness-based interventions across various domains of public policy. Published on behalf of the UK Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Who we are
Mindfulness: Developing Agency in Urgent Times

Multiple interconnected crises call for skilful response on a global scale - but our capacity for intentional action in our collective best interest is underdeveloped and increasingly undermined. This paper opens a dialogue on the contribution of evidence-based mindfulness training to individual and collective agency.
Implementing Mindfulness in Schools: An Evidence-Based Guide

This comprehensive guide is written by MI education policy co-leads Professor Katherine Weare and Adrian Bethune after extensive consultation with an expert steering group. The guide will be a key resource for all teachers, educators and SLT members interested in implementing mindfulness within their schools.
Jobs

Job vacancies at The Mindfulness Initiative, UK.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group

The Mindfulness Initiative provides the secretariat for the UK Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG) and helps politicians to inquire into applications in public policy.
What we do

The Mindfulness Initiative bridges contemplative practice and public policy, championing the inner dimension of social change.
Building the case for mindfulness in the workplace

A toolkit to help you pull together the rationale and evidence for mindfulness training in workplace contexts, with practical advice for launching and developing your initiative.

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