Who we are

The Mindfulness Initiative was founded by Madeleine Bunting and Chris Cullen in November 2013 to support British politicians in forming the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mindfulness. Our partners include the four mindfulness training and research centres in Bangor, Exeter, Oxford and Sussex universities, as well as the Mental Health Foundation, Mindfulness Association and Breathworks, and we benefit from an advisory group comprising some of the most experienced mindfulness scientists and practitioners in the UK and around the world. Our patrons are Jon Kabat-Zinn and Ruby Wax.

Our director is Ruth Ormston, who worked alongside previous director Jamie Bristow for three years before taking the lead in April 2023. After eight years at the helm, Jamie joined a talented team of consultants, 'policy leads' and associates who are engaged to work on specific strategy areas or projects on a part-time or ad-hoc basis. These consultants contribute immensely to our work, coming from the fields of mindfulness research and wider academia, mindfulness teaching, policy development and advocacy. We are grateful for the generous support of The Lostand Foundation, Sankalpa and The Mindful Trust, among others.

Ruby Wax and Mark Williams Jon Kabat-Zinn Trish Bartley and Mark Williams

Patrons & Trustees >>

Patrons: Prof Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ruby Wax.

Trustees: Katie White OBE, Ed Halliwell, Trish Bartley, Pauline Gibbs, David Crook, Angela McCusker

Chris Ruane Andrew, Theresa, and Jamie Katherine Weare Jenny Edwards

Core Team & Policy Area Leads >>

Core Team: Ruth Ormston, Eileen Clark, Chris Cullen, Chris Tamdjidi.

Policy Leads: Jamie Bristow, Jenny Edwards CBE, Dr Cathy-Mae Karelse, Prof Katherine Weare, Byron Lee, Andrew McNeill, Chris Ruane, Vishvapani Blomfield.

Rebecca Crane and Chris Ruane Conference speakers

Project Contributors & Advisors >>

Contributors: Dan Nixon, Menka Sanghvi, Rosie Bell, Jasmine Isa Qureshi, Pilar Puig

Advisors: Prof Ruth Baer, Amanda Bailey, Madeline Bunting, Vidyamala Burch, Prof Guy Claxton, Dr Joanna Cook, Dr Rebecca Crane, Fergus Crow, Marion Furr, Dr Jonty Heaversedge, Prof Willem Kuyken, Elizabeth Mpyisi, Dr Bridgette O'Neill, Rachel Lilley, Dr Tim Lomas, Heather Regan, Dr Jonathan Rowson, Dr Florian Ruths, Dr Clara Strauss, Dr Jutta Tobias, Ivor Twydell, Tessa Watt, Prof Mark Williams

With thanks to all past associates, including Dr Kate Cavanagh, Isabelle Umugwaneza, Emma Wardropper, Sarah Post, Amanda Conquy, Mark Ovland, Nina Ross, Dean Capon.

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.

Become a supporter

Thank you for being here to help secure the future of the Mindfulness Initiative. Every gift makes a difference, and no donation is too big or small. If you’d like to help keep us advocating, publishing, educating and innovating for the future, please consider a regular monthly gift. Read more

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