Behind the business: How Spencer Clarke Group supports employee wellbeing

The success of the company is driven by its people. A simple ethos that Spencer Clarke Group are proud to live daily by putting people at the heart of their business.

Creating and maintaining a positive workplace takes more than recognising great results. It’s about making sure every member of the team feels valued and appreciated for the contribution they make, investing in wellbeing, celebrating achievements, and fostering a strong employee culture.

For Spencer Clarke Group, creating a supportive workplace doesn’t begin and end with the 9 to 5, it means recognising that people have lives, responsibilities and challenges outside of work.

Life doesn’t always go to plan. When difficult moments arise, they want every member of the team to know they have somewhere to turn and someone to talk to, leaving nobody to navigate those moments alone. That’s why their partnership with independent mental health charity Lancashire Mind is such an important part of their approach to employee wellbeing.

By working with Lancashire Mind, they’re able focus on prevention. Helping mitigate challenges before they reach crisis point coupled with the benefit of support for line managers when intervention is needed.

We asked Debbie Holden, Head of Marketing at Spencer Clarke Group, ‘Why Lancashire Mind?’

“I’ve been with the company since 2021 and witnessed it flourish into an award-winning recruitment agency that puts its employees at the heart of everything. Alongside this growth has developed an ongoing commitment to supporting employee wellbeing. With our shared values, Lancashire Mind feels like a natural fit for Spencer Clarke Group.”

“We’re proud to play an active role in supporting the people and causes that matter within the areas where we live and work.”

Lancashire Mind have been long-supported by the incredible fundraising efforts of the Spencer Clarke Group team – including the famously gruelling, (and more than a little terrifying), Tough Mudder. Raising nearly £3,000 to help the charity provide life-changing projects for children and adults across the county.

“Support shouldn’t only be available when someone reaches crisis point. Prevention and early interventions are just as important, which means giving our people the tools, resources and opportunities to seek help as soon as they feel they need it.”

Lancashire Mind’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides teams with valuable resources whether they are facing personal challenges or experiencing a difficult period in working life. They can quickly access self-help toolkits covering topics from anxiety, depression and grief to communication techniques. Giving an additional layer of support when needed most, the EAP has become an integral part of the workplace culture at Spencer Clarke Group.

“While we want every employee to feel comfortable speaking openly in the workplace, and we are committed to providing a supportive and impartial environment, we also recognise that discussing personal challenges isn’t always easy.”

Even in the most trusting workplaces, some situations can feel difficult for staff members to share with colleagues or managers – especially when dealing with sensitive personal, financial or emotional challenges. Through Lancashire Mind’s EAP, team members can access private therapy, which provides a safe and independent space to talk.

“We would never want anyone within our team to suffer in silence or worry that opening-up about something they’re experiencing could affect their working relationships. This was another key reason for us using Lancashire Mind’s confidential Employee Assistance Programme.”

How are Spencer Clarke Group leading the way for recruitment agencies?

Debbie comments, “We’ve always aimed to do things a little differently at Spencer Clarke Group.” As a recruitment company that works across a diverse range of specialisms – they are proud to find innovative ways to support the communities around them.

“Whether we’re helping to renovate a local school playground, donating bikes to encourage young people to get active or supporting young people entering the built environment profession, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to give back and make a genuine difference. Rather than simply ticking a box, we want the initiatives we support to have a positive and lasting impact on the people who benefit from them.”

The same creative mindset for making a meaningful difference also extends to candidates, clients, and the people at the heart of the business – their employees. Recognising that while an energetic buzz is a big part of what makes the recruitment sector so exciting, it’s important for teams to switch off and recharge.

“We’re fortunate to have an incredibly driven and hardworking team, but with that commitment can sometimes come the temptation to work through lunch, stay late or put that extra bit of pressure on yourself to get things done. That’s why we actively encourage our employees to take their breaks, step away from their screens and make time for themselves throughout the
working week. Whether it’s heading to the gym, catching up over one of our regular breakfast clubs or enjoying a team day out.”

To encourage a positive and connected working environment, Spencer Clarke Group have provided their people with access to over 100 self-help topics through Lancashire Mind’s online EAP resource hub. They are designed by experienced mental health trainers and practitioners to empower employees and provide comprehensive toolkits for wellbeing and resilience.

“We’ve been really impressed with the range of materials provided, from how to deal with anger to tackling loneliness. Each resource is genuinely useful and goes way beyond ‘box-ticking’. The tools are educational, thought-provoking and encourage our team to reflect on their personal experiences whilst learning practical techniques and coping mechanisms for everyday life. New toolkits are added each quarter, so all teams can continue learning how to prioritise their wellbeing at their own pace.”

“Since using the EAP, we’ve also recognised that it’s ok if people feel more comfortable speaking to someone outside of our team. The programme has helped us offer this choice alongside encouraging open conversation.”

Looking ahead

Debbie is optimistic as she looks ahead with an on-going commitment to, “continue building a workplace where our people feel genuinely supported in both their personal and professional lives, and our partnership with Lancashire Mind fills us with confidence to do that.”

“We’re extremely proud of the culture we’ve created since we opened our doors in 2017. While employee wellbeing will never be ‘complete’, we will continue to evolve our support practices, listen to the needs of our team and integrate wellbeing as a natural part of everyday life. As any company should, we’re always looking for ways to improve as a business and enhance the lives of our most valuable asset – our employees.”

Written by Ellie Wallbank, Marketing Executive at Spencer Clarke Group