Meet Scott, our Head of Account Management and more importantly one of our Mental Health First Aiders here at Simarco!

Scott has been kind enough to join us in a special Q&A to explain the importance of supporting mental health in the workplace and why he wanted to become a Mental Health First Aider.

Why did you decided to become a Mental Health First Aider?

I decided to become a Mental Health First Aider due to my experiences with Mental Health. Back in 2016 I faced my own struggles, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and sought professional help. I learnt that taking positive steps personally through exercise and talking with others made a huge difference and was the catalyst to recovery, so when the opportunity to make a difference and help others within Simarco was presented I had to go for it and use my own experiences in a positive and rewarding way.

What is the role of a Mental Health First Aider?

A Mental Health First Aider provides initial support to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis.  We listen non-judgmentally, offer reassurance, and guide the person toward appropriate professional help if needed. Our role is to recognise signs of mental distress, offer immediate assistance, and promote a supportive environment.

Why is mental health support important in the workplace?

Mental health support in the workplace is vital because it helps individuals manage stress, feel valued, and maintain their well-being. It ensures that people have the support they need to navigate challenges, leading to greater job satisfaction, better relationships, and a healthier work-life balance.

What training or qualifications do you have in mental health first aid?

I successfully completed the St Johns Ambulance Mental Health First Aider course, the course covers topics like anxiety, depression, suicide, and stress, and equips attendees with skills to listen non-judgmentally and assist in a crisis.

How do you take care of your own mental health while helping others?

Exercise and setting personal goals really help me, making sure I get a workout in at least once a day or get out for a walk is great for my mindset. I often address problems or issues by writing them down and then working through these on paper, noting the worst and best outcomes. In most cases the worst outcome is not actually that bad and not worth feeling overwhelmed or anxious about, talking openly to friends and family is also a must, having trusted and positive groups of people around me that I can call on makes all the difference. Being one of those trusted people for others is how I help in any way I can, making myself as approachable as possible encourages open conversations and keeping a close eye out for signs of mental distress in others, ensuring to act where appropriate to do so.  

Are there any resources you can recommend for further educating ourselves about mental health?

Consider these resources to review should you want to learn and understand more about positive mental health:

• Mind – Provides comprehensive information, support, and advice on mental health issues
• NHS – Offers reliable information on mental health conditions, treatments, and services in the UK
• Mental Health Foundation – Focuses on research, policy, and practical advice to improve mental health
• Heads Together – Promotes mental well-being and offers resources through its campaigns.

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about mental health and mental health first aid?

The biggest misconceptions about mental health and Mental Health First Aiders include:

• Mental health issues are rare: Many people wrongly believe that mental health problems are uncommon, when in fact they affect a significant portion of the population
• Mental health problems are a sign of weakness: This stigma prevents people from seeking help, but mental health issues are real medical conditions that require support and treatment
• Mental Health First Aiders are therapists: They are not trained to provide therapy; their role is to offer initial support and guide individuals to appropriate professional resources
• Talking about mental health makes it worse: Open conversations about mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help
• You can always tell when someone is struggling: Many people with mental health issues appear fine outwardly, making it important to foster a supportive environment where people feel comfortable discussing their well-being.

Ruby Moores becomes Midlands Champion!

Once again, Simarco sponsored Ruby Moores cycles to new heights as she becomes this year’s Midlands BMX Champion.

Dedicated and extremely ambitious Ruby has certainly kept herself busy this summer after competing in the National and Midland series, whilst also qualifying for the British Championships later this month.

Competing a year above her age group in the National Series Ruby has proved that dedication and hard work (with a few bumps and crashes along the way) goes a long way by finishing fourth place overall in the National Series and first place for the Super Class category in the Midland Championships.

We wish Ruby the best of luck in the British Championships later this month and wish her all the best for her return to school in September.

There was ‘no-putting’ around for Team Simarco earlier this month as they attended The Lodge Tyre 21st Annual Charity Golf Day.

Over the last twenty years the annual charity event has raised over £250,000 for a wide variety of causes including Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital and Air Ambulance.

Team Simarco dusted off their golf clubs and sent four of our most ‘professional’ (term used loosely) golf enthusiasts to participate in this year’s event.

Not only did we help raise vital funds for this year’s focus, Motor Neurone Disease, but we’re also proud to announce that Team Simarco came 5th out of 35 teams. Tiger Woods eat your heart out!

Thank you to Lodge Tyre Co. Ltd for hosting another incredible event and @alsagergolfandcountryclub for the hospitality.

The sun came out this Sunday for our very own team participating in this year’s Cancer Research UK (CRUK) – Pretty Muddy.

Team Simarco endured three miles of climbing, crawling and sliding through gallons of mud and lots of fun to raise awareness and charitable donations for Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

Through wrecking balls, mud chutes and inflatable pits, Team Simarco although now a little sore, are pleased to announce that they raised £1160.50 for the foundation.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and an extra special thank you to all who donated. 🙏

“No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for”.

Say hello to Jessica!

Last week we welcomed the lovely Jessica to our Stoke-on-Trent site as we introduced her to the world of logistics, all part of her school’s work experience.

Tell us about your week:

It was an exciting week last week, not only did I get to complete a week’s long work experience, but it was also my last week in year ten before the summer holidays.

I got to spend time in all departments, and it was an eye opener to see how many different functions there are in freight and logistics.

I spent two days out on the road undertaking customer visits with the Sales Team and learnt how shipments were organised via road, air and sea. I spent some time in the warehouse with the Contract Logistics Team, which was great, but hard work being on my feet for such a long time. I also got to spend some time with the Accounts Team.

Is there any area of the business you enjoyed the most?

I would have to say Accounts. I found it really interesting and there are so many different aspects to the accounts process that I didn’t know existed.

Do you have a career path in mind?

I would really like to become a Dentist, which means I will have to do a lot of work in sciences, through college and university. I decided I wanted to do work experience at Simarco as it gave me an insight in to working life. I got to experience office life, administration, accounts, meeting and engaging with customers and new people. It was just a great experience all round and I now certainly appreciate the 9-3pm school hours!

Tell us about your hobbies

I love dancing and I compete in freestyle competitions throughout the year; dancing is something I have always enjoyed.

Final thoughts…

I really enjoyed my week, and everyone has been so lovely and welcoming. I really appreciate that everyone has taken the time out of their busy schedules to teach me about their specific function.

We are proud to announce that we have partnered with UK recycling technology charity, Computers 4 Charity.

The Maidstone based organisation specialises in extending the life of unwanted IT equipment, including laptops and computers, and donating them to beneficiaries using an environmentally friendly service.

With their commitment to supporting People and Planet their aim is to reduce electronic waste and provide an ethical donation recycling system to transform the lives of others.

Our recent donation of IT equipment means we are supporting the organisation in providing many UK based charities with much needed IT essentials. These charities include, Young Carers, Homeless Young, local schools and UK based charities who work with schools in Africa.

People and Planet plays an integral part in our sustainable strategy here at Simarco and we will continue to support local charities, such as Computers 4 Charity to continue our commitment to a sustainable future.

Hello from Europe!

We are proud to introduce you to our Netherlands based Warehouse Team who are dedicated to offering you the same efficient warehousing service we provide in the UK.

Our European based warehouse solution means we can distribute your UK goods across Europe, utilizing simplified customs procedures under EU status and circulation.

Get in touch for more information about our European warehousing solutions.

In support of World Environment Day volunteers from our Witham depot took to the streets of Essex to help keep them environmentally clean and tidy; we also managed to embrace a little sunshine along the way.

World Environment Day has been celebrated by millions of people across the world since 1973. The day was introduced by the United Nations as a platform to bring positive change across the world. 🌍

Team Simarco continues to deliver a wide range of projects which have a positive impact on the environment, society and the economy with its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

💚 We’d like to say thank you to the Green Heart of Essex programme, part of Braintree District Council, for providing us with the equipment needed to help keep our streets clean.🚮

Here at Simarco we believe face to face meetings play an integral part in driving collaboration between our teams and our partners.

We always have an open-door policy and inviting our customers to site enhances the trust, loyalty, and customer service we offer.

Last week we welcomed two special guests to our Stoke site; not only did they sample Stoke’s delicacy of ‘oatcakes’ but also joined us in discussing challenges, changes, and opportunities for 2024 / 2025.

We look forward to working with them on future initiatives and enhancing the strong relationship we already have in place.

When the best teams get out on the road!

Chris and Jake from our Sales and Customer Service Teams hit the road last week to visit one of our key account customers.

We are committed to working closely with our clients to further our collaborative developments and maintain our high-level customer service.

Together, we explored strategies to offset our carbon footprint by utilizing our HVO fuel, implementing a complete IT integration, and emphasizing sustainability within our partnership.

The partnerships we establish with our clients play a vital role in enhancing our services. We are committed to working closely with our clients, becoming strategic partners, and maintaining our high-level of customer service.