Hello, I'm Sarah Ellis and this is the Squiggly Careers podcast. This episode is one of a special

series of short conversations we've had with this year's LinkedIn change makers, which we're also

very proud to be part of. Each of the people that we're interviewing is pioneering such

important change in the world of work,

whether it's making a difference in areas like equality, mental health and sustainability.

We're really looking forward to learning more about how they've made that change happen,

their hopes for the future and how we can all get involved.

Today you'll be hearing my conversation with Neil Laybourne.

Neil is champion change in mental health and as you're hearing our chat together,

it was an unexpected moment in his day and then his year that ignited his passion and work in mental health.

I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation today and I'll be back at the end to let you know how you can learn more and who else you can hear from in this really special series.

So Neil, really good to meet you and thank you for joining us on today's special episode of the Squiggly Careers podcast.

Thank you. Happy to be here.

So I'm really looking forward to learning a bit more about the work that you do. And I thought,

let's start with you sharing with our listeners the change that you really want to champion through the work that you do. So everyone gets a real feel for the kind of the important thing that

you're trying to pioneer. So I'd love to get kind of your take on that change. Sure. Well, my career

has been very varied since I first stepped into the working world and present day. It involves me

predominantly being within mental health and well-being, absolutely by accident. It happened very

organically. It kind of started with one pivotal moment when in 2008 I was actually on my way to

the gym and it was going to be a normal day as far as I knew and I walked past a guy who was sitting

on Waterloo Bridge.

His name is Johnny Benjamin.

...