When Sarah Grace and I set up the Animal People Recruitment Company three years ago, I already had eight years of recruitment experience. Throughout my career, I had worked with various recruitment businesses. Some were brilliant, but unfortunately, most were not due to the cultures they had cultivated. Too often, I joined companies with high hopes, inspired by their promises and impressed by their interview processes. However, I quickly realised the cultures were not a fit for me.

The primary focus of these businesses was on placements and revenue, with little regard for anything else. Mental health was rarely discussed, and the well-being of consultants seemed unimportant to the owners. Burnout was common, and many people left because they weren’t supported. The companies lacked the care and attention necessary to help employees achieve their goals, operating with a churn-in, churn-out mentality.

So, when Sarah Grace and I decided to create the Animal People Recruitment Company, our vision was clear. We wanted to build a company based on kindness, honesty, and inclusivity—values we still uphold today. Our goal was to foster a flexible culture, allowing our workforce to work from anywhere in the UK. We wanted to support our employees and their lives outside of work too. We want our people to do the school run without worrying and pick up their kids after school too. We want dog owners to take longer lunches to walk their dog's and enjoy the things that spark joy in their working day.

We aimed to empower our employees to be authentic and never feel like they had to hide their true selves. As a minority group member, I know what it’s like to face discrimination. Therefore, I am passionate about ensuring everyone can be themselves at work.

What I love most about working in recruitment is that I can literally change people's lives. I've helped so many people get into jobs they've dreamt of having, and there's no better feeling than helping someone secure their ideal job. It’s what drives me every single day. However, there is another side to recruitment that many people aren't aware of. As recruiters we have to be resilient, we get lot's of rejection from potential clients and we often act as counsellors to our candidates. It comes with the job, but it can take a toll on us. We get lots of no's and handle hundreds of calls weekly from candidates who are frustrated or unhappy in their current situations. Hearing these stories can impact our mental health, so it’s crucial that companies support their recruiters' well-being.

At Animal People Recruitment Company, we prioritise our employees' health and ensure they have access to mental health support when needed. We partnered with BHSF to provide our employees access to excellent well-being and healthcare services, some of which I have personally benefited from.

Last year, I struggled with my mental health due to various factors, including challenges from my childhood and growing up gay in the 90s and early 2000s. I decided to undergo therapy sessions through BHSF, which proved life-changing. For anyone struggling, I encourage you to talk to someone and consider therapy—it can make a significant difference.

Working on my mental health has involved making several small but impactful changes in my daily life. I started using Kirsten Butler’s "3 Minute Happiness Journal," writing in it every day to set myself up for the day and practice gratitude. Every morning, I wake up, look out my window, and thank the universe for another day. I then high-five myself in the mirror, a practice I adopted from Mel Robbins' podcast. It may sound cheesy, but it has positively impacted my mindset.

Working from home, I still get ready for the day in clothes that make me feel good. I take my dog, Rodney, for a walk every morning, which helps me get close to 15,000 steps a day. Rodney has been an incredible source of joy and companionship, reinforcing my love for animals and driving my passion for our business.

Listening to positive music and podcasts during these walks has also helped improve my mental health. I keep my home clean and tidy, as a clutter-free environment contributes to a clearer mind. Recently, I re-evaluated my friendships and set boundaries with those that were no longer serving me. This has led to a significant improvement in my well-being.

Additionally, I have reassessed my alcohol consumption. I don't drink at all during the week, but like many people my age, I used to binge drink on weekends. This often led to anxiety the following day. By significantly reducing my alcohol intake, I have felt much better overall. If you find yourself drinking too much on weekends, I highly recommend cutting back and noticing the positive impact it can have on your mental health.

The role we play as Platinum Business Patron to Birmingham Dog's Home is something I am very proud of, and we are now climbing up Snowdon to raise more funds and awareness for the charity. Partnering with Birmingham Dogs Home has also done wonders for my mental health. It really feels good knowing that I am doing my part to help animals that are in need.

Another practice that has greatly improved my mental health is focusing on activities that spark joy. Last November, I practiced "No-Vember," where I said no to things I didn’t want to do, which had a positive impact on my mental health. Recently, I've taken up gardening, and it has been absolutely brilliant. I enjoy going out into my garden, planting new plants, and tending to everything I have. It truly sparks joy. I'm also signed up for pottery classes as I have neglected my artistic side for far too many years and can’t wait to get started.

If you are reading this and you are lucky enough to have your own business or be in a position where you have team members working with or for you, please be kind to them, treat them well, and make sure that you have a positive impact on them. It is an absolute privilege to have people looking to you within a business for support, guidance, and reassurance. It's a responsibility that I do not take lightly as I know what it feels like to work for people that have not deserved me in the past.

Mental health is no joke; it's crucial to take care of yourself. If you’re struggling, reach out for help. Numerous resources are available online if you don’t have someone you feel comfortable talking to.

• Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/
• Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

And if your job makes you unhappy, consider looking for another opportunity. Life is too short to stay in environments that don’t bring you joy or make you feel appreciated. There are countless opportunities out there—you just have to go out and grab them.