Sussex Staffing Solutions
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Sussex Staffing Solutions – help starts at home
Grace Hanley, Company Director of Sussex Staffing Solutions explains how calling Newhaven Enterprise Centre ‘Home’ has provided her an excellent first impression for her business and giving her access to a community of supportive and helpful likeminded businesses.
Sussex Staffing Solutions is a family run, specialist employment service, providing trained nurses, care assistants, support workers and more to care homes, and healthcare clients within East Sussex. They also provide a recruitment and headhunting service for organisations nationwide- focusing on public and charity sector.
With over 20 years’ experience working in adult social care, working her way up through the ranks up to senior management, Grace has a solid understanding and knowledge of the industry, from hands on experience to strategy, making her the ideal person for a business of this nature. Grace started Sussex Staffing solutions in 2021, addressing a gap in the market and with the aim to approach recruitment in a more balanced and targeted way.
“Sussex Staffing Solutions is a business built on values. It’s not just about matching person A to job B, You need to understand the culture of that organization, it’s values, because otherwise you’re not going to make a good match.
I always do face to face interviews. I do this because I want to make sure each and every one of our team share the same core values as the organisation; that they are kind and person centred in their approach.”
No I in team
When looking for a space for the business to call home, Grace immediately looked at Newhaven, which would provide accessibility from her own home. Having looked at alternative locations, Grace was made aware of Newhaven Enterprise Centre, a business centre owned by Lewes District Council but run by Let’s Do Business Group on Denton Island, just outside Newhaven Town Centre.
Offering a selection of serviced offices and workshops of varying sizes, Grace was drawn to the professional, and welcoming environment as well as the affordable costs and flexible tenancy agreements.
“A great first impression was something that we really wanted and needed for our business space. If clients are coming in or we are conducting interviews the reception area of the centre is the first thing they see. The reception creates the first impression for our business, and here at Newhaven that first impression is fantastic. The centre, is clean, welcoming and the staff are all very helpful and approachable.”
One of other benefits Grace mentioned to being based at the centre is the accessibility to other small businesses. Through regular networking events, coffee mornings and even chats in the corridors you become a part of a community that all work together and support each other where they can. She highlighted that she has been able to virtually extend her team but utilizing the services of accountants, payroll specialists and even training providers all based at the centre.
“Newhaven Enterprise Centre is Newhaven’s best kept secret, but it shouldn’t be. Being here couldn’t be better for my business, its welcoming, professional, affordable, and the community of businesses here are amazing, for a small business we have access to a large corporation of expertise and knowledge all under one roof.”
Grace has also been able to benefit from free business support through the centre’s management Let’s Do Business Group. Business Manager Chris Smith works regularly from the centre and can offer free support and advice to tenants on business planning, financial management and business finance.
“I've met with the business adviser, Chris. He helped me understand cash flow analysis and look at forecasting. I had a session with him and he was really helpful. It’s nice to know that he’s here and that I can pop my head around the door and ask the odd question.”
— Grace Hanley, Sussex Staffing Solutions
Future assignment
Looking at her next steps, Grace is now looking to develop her business, continuing to expand not only her client base but also her team of healthcare professionals. She is also looking to widen her reach into mental health and community health provision, utilising her excellent reputation to support recruitment in this area during this national shortage of care staff. Regardless of how big she grows, or how wide her reach is within the care industry, it is guaranteed that the core values of this business will always remain, “to provide quality, caring, professional team members to deliver excellent care and outcomes for every individual.”
“I created this agency because I wanted to make a difference. I think that’s probably the main thing that drives people into social work because it can be a stressful, challenging profession. I genuinely want to do things differently to enable better outcomes for individuals, it's those kind of values which continue to drive me and drive our business.”
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