Case study
Harrison Spinks
Harrison Spinks, based in Beeston, South Leeds, is proud to be one of Great Britain’s most established, innovative and sustainable bed manufacturers. Established in 1840, the company is a family-owned business employing 745 people across 7 sites in roles ranging from Head Office functions to engineers, production operatives, drivers, event staff and even farmers!
Harrison Spinks became a Mindful Employer in August 2020, prompted by the need for increased mental health support during the Pandemic. Claire Burns, Director of People and Talent, describes what being a Mindful Employer means for the company:
“"Being a Mindful Employer shows our commitment to looking after our people and gives us guidance for improvements. A healthy and happy workforce is a productive one and if we want to be world leaders in our industry, we need to commit to looking after our employees’ emotional and mental health as well as their physical wellbeing".
Claire describes how Harrison Spinks’s approach to wellbeing aligns with the company’s core values:
““Our approach is to provide all that we can to meet the individual needs of our employees, irrelevant of role, seniority and location. One of our company values is Proper, we want to do right by our people - perhaps this is part of our Yorkshire heritage. We represent the best in British manufacturing and want our people to be the best. Our business is a family one, and we treat it and everyone in it, as our own"
Tackling mental health stigma has been fundamental to Harrison Spinks’s approach to wellbeing and crucial to achieving meaningful impact.
““There is still stigma attached to wellbeing matters throughout society, and there is still work to be done convincing people that mental health should be taken seriously, and not just when people are at breaking point".
Communication with employees improved significantly during the Pandemic, and positive messages about mental health now feature strongly in all Harrison Spinks communications. Further, the recruitment of a committed team of Mental Health First Aiders has been fundamental in helping to normalise conversations and encourage people to seek help.
““Our Mental Health First Aiders provide the opportunity for staff to open up in a confidential, informal way over a cup of tea. Sometimes it’s not just about giving advice, it’s about listening without judgement and having empathy with people in their time of need.”
The creation of an open and honest mental health culture has meant more people feeling comfortable to open up and ask for help. This, along with continued mental health impacts of the Pandemic, have meant a significant rise in demand for Mental Health First Aid support.
““Our Mental Health First Aiders have never been needed as much as they are now, so much so, we are currently training 6 more to join our team.”
A big part of Claire’s role is supporting her Mental Health First Aid team, ensuring that they know where to signpost people for specialist support and look after their own wellbeing too.
Claire is confident that efforts to tackle mental health stigma are working and having a positive impact:
““Regular and open discussions about all aspects of mental health now take place at all levels throughout the company.”
““The proof is not only in reduced absenteeism, but the fact that employees come to us and talk to us before getting to a crucial point in their lives, they come and ask for help”.