Following the success of my book Fieldbook for Mindfulness Innovators, there was recognition that something more was needed – a platform to celebrate and support the emerging ideas and actors who were pushing boundaries in mindfulness practice.
In 2021, the Innovations in Mindfulness Awards were born. It was developed by myself, Jamie Bristow and Ruth Ormston at the Mindfulness Initiative, and Vin Harris from the Hart Knowe Trust as a partnership project.
It was created to address a fundamental challenge: while the evidence base for mindfulness has never been stronger, significant barriers still prevent many from accessing its benefits. As culture and technology evolve, so must the ways mindfulness is shared and practiced. Without innovation, everyday people miss out on the benefits of these inner practices.
The awards programme celebrates efforts to make mindfulness practices more accessible, diverse, and effective. The programme recognizes that mindfulness training must be developed with integrity and respect for existing evidence, while embracing new delivery methods that bring benefits to wider audiences.
2022 Winners:
- BAM! Boxing and Mindfulness from Mindful Peak Performance
- Mindfulness Based Inclusion Training from the Urban Mindfulness Foundation
- Take Back Your Life (TBYL) from the Globe Community Project
- Radical Self-care (RadSec) from Rainbow Mind
2024 Winners:
- Mindfulness for Refugees from Sussex Mindfulness Centre
- Look Again - Mindful Photography for Mental Health
- Stix Mindfulness - Interactive mindfulness remotes for children
It's been heartening to see how the awards have benefited winners and finalists. As one 2022 finalist, Mia Chambers, noted: "Being selected gave us more confidence that the mindfulness world saw value in what we were trying to do. It adds credibility and it certainly influences some funders." The winner of the 2022 awards, Luke Doherty, found that "Getting the award has led to developing a partnership with Mind, getting a significant amount of income to take this to the next level."
Now established as a biennial programme, the awards continue to identify and support pioneering projects that are reshaping how mindfulness reaches those who need it most.