York businesses team up to offer employers new fully-funded initiative combining leadership coaching and occupational therapy

Two York business owners are launching a unique initiative for employers which blends leadership coaching with occupational therapy. 

Elaine Morris, founder of Curious Edge, and Lizzie Huxford, co-founder of OT4me, have formed a new partnership to offer a unique, practical approach to supporting inclusion and wellbeing in the workplace. 

The programme is being fully-funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, offering a rare opportunity for SMEs to access such specialist training. 

The Thrive At Work - Inclusive Futures Programme is taking place in January, February and March in three locations - Harrogate, Malton and Tadcaster. It consists of a series of interactive workshops to help managers develop their coaching skills, and strengthen inclusive retention, engagement and HR practices. Sessions also offer skills in broadening understanding of neurodiversity and helping to create workspaces that support different sensory needs. 

One-to-one coaching is also available for colleagues who may be at risk of going on sick leave. Funding is limited to businesses in York and North Yorkshire. 

As a qualified executive coach (ILM 7), Elaine started Curious Edge – a consultancy integrating consumer and employee research with executive coaching – after a 20-year career in consumer research for global brands. 

She said employers were facing growing challenges to equip their managers with the necessary skills and knowledge to recruit and retain staff from different backgrounds. And all while dealing with changing needs and priorities. 

Elaine explained: “Our Thrive at Work programme supports organisations in meeting these challenges by developing more confident, inclusive leaders and creating workplaces where everyone feels they belong and do their best work. 

“It’s about encouraging individuals and giving them the best opportunity to thrive. When you manage a team, people’s circumstances can change for a whole range of reasons – including illness, caring for an elderly relative, partner or child, or menopause – and that can really impact their ability or confidence to do their job. 

“When managers know how to notice if a colleague’s behaviour is changing and understand how to have an effective conversation to really understand what’s triggering this, it empowers them. Sometimes it’s simply gaining basic skills like how to start a conversation with their colleague. 

“Through our unique partnership with OT4me, the programme blends leadership coaching – which builds self-awareness, empathy, and empowering coaching skills – with occupational therapy expertise in neurodiversity and sensory integration. This unique combination helps to design effective workplace adjustments that make a real difference.” 

Lizzie is a Specialist Occupational Therapist and the co-founder of OT4me, which offers specialist occupational therapy expertise rooted in evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of the relationship between health, wellbeing and performance at work. 

L-R: Lizzie Huxford and Elaine Morris

With a background in the NHS, she has extensive experience across diverse settings, and specialises in sensory processing needs for people who are neurodivergent.

Lizzie said: “Using a Person–Occupation–Environment (PEO) model, we recognise the dynamic interaction between individual needs, job demands and workplace environments, and provide practical strategies to improve inclusion, participation, and performance. With extensive workplace experience, OT4me bridges the clinical and organisational worlds - making therapeutic, practical support accessible in everyday work settings. 

“Our workplace sensory audits evaluate the workplace environment to identify sensory triggers and opportunities for adjustment, helping make spaces more comfortable and inclusive for everyone. We look at what’s working well, and what basic changes can be made. It may be as simple as creating a quiet area or room – or even just changing a lightbulb or giving someone access to natural light. And these changes can often help your whole team to function better.” 

Employers signing up for the three full-day in-person interactive workshops will gain practical tools and confidence to lead inclusively, improve staff retention and create a positive workplace culture that supports diverse needs. 

The workshops will be in Harrogate on 4th February, 24th February and 19th March, and in Malton on 29th January, 23rd February and 16th March. The Tadcaster sessions are fully booked but employers can register to join the reserve list. If there is enough demand, extra sessions may also run in March. 

Elaine and Lizzie have been friends for several years, and both have lived experience of neurodiversity and disability, and feel passionately about helping employers to create inclusive workplaces. 

Elaine added: “Our approach offers practical, sustainable support that promotes wellbeing and develops confident leaders who can balance the needs of individuals and the organisation. Whether you run a micro business or a larger organisation, this initiative equips your workplace to be more resilient and adaptive, ensuring everyone feels valued and included.” 

Thrive at Work - Inclusive Futures Programme is part of the Employer Support Programme. 

The project is supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer. This makes it York and North Yorkshire’s only fully-funded initiative bringing together leadership coaching and occupational therapy, giving organisations a practical, partnership-based approach to supporting inclusion and wellbeing in the workplace. 

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “We are tackling the barriers that hold people back from the quality jobs they deserve by giving our businesses the tools to create more supportive, inclusive workplaces. 

“Working with our partners, we can provide the guidance and support that keeps people in good jobs and helps our businesses become more resilient.”

For more information, including registering your interest for the programme, please email hello@curiousedge.co.uk 

Or visit: https://curiousedge.co.uk or https://ot4me.co.uk