Building Brighter Futures.

As a recruitment agency, our core purpose and competency is to connect individuals to great career opportunities. However, in socially deprived areas, some people face disadvantages from an extremely early age which can hinder their career prospects later in life. Time and time again, research has found that the first few years of a child’s life are critical for brain development and building the blocks for lifelong learning. 

Spencer Clarke Group is based in the heart of Preston; on our doorstep - and where most of our wonderful employees live - is Blackpool, Liverpool, Knowsley and Manchester which are regularly listed as the most socially deprived locations in the UK. However, we strongly believe that it doesn’t have to be this way if children are invested in at a young age. 

The five core aspirations of our CSR strategy is to take a holistic approach and drive change from an early age to help families break free from generational poverty cycles. With the right support and skills in place, children can dream and build a brighter future for themselves.

Over the last few years, the UK has lurched from one economic crisis to another which has heavily impacted on our local community in the North West. Many low-income families in our region now rely on charities just to survive. We believe that no-one - especially children - should have to live like this which is why we are so passionate about working with charities to support basic fundamental needs.  

As part of a local network of care, these are just some of the charities we work with in our community.

• Each month, we volunteer 4 hours of time at Fylde Food Bank to support their vital operations.  
• Each month, we donate 52kg of food and toiletries to Fylde Food Bank to provide emergency support to those in crisis. In December, we supply a larger donation to support seasonal demand.
• In 2024, we supported family charity Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre with over 200 pieces of school uniform, toys and games to support summer holiday clubs, and 30 Christmas hampers to support local families.
• Each quarter, employees donate clothes, books and toys to Helping Hearts Fylde. The items are distributed to residents in Blackpool for free. 
• Through the generous donations of our team, we support Lancashire Women with clothing and toiletries to support women facing homelessness or fleeing domestic abuse.

Whether you’re a child developing foundational skills in school, a young person stepping into the workforce, or a mid-career professional looking to progress, everyone faces unique challenges on their career path.

We believe that every business has a duty to support the career development of their own employees and the communities they serve. While the government has outlined their ambition to ‘level up’ the North/South divide, we feel that employers can still play a crucial role in helping individuals achieve higher earnings, financial security and personal fulfillment. 

These are just some of the measures which we implement to support our communities.

• Published 280 blogs on our Career Hub to provide career advice across the industries we serve. The Career Hub serves as a centralised platform to empower individuals, enhance their career prospects, and align their ambitions with well paid career opportunities.
• While the relationship can be difficult to establish, a good education and knowledge has been linked to better employment opportunities, higher income and improved health and wellbeing.
• Work in association with respected industry professionals (who share our passion for educating younger generations) to help and inspire young people with career choices and career progression.
• Provided work experience for two students from Preston College. Following the placement, one of the students has joined us in a full time position.
• Deliver a Wellness Project initiative to support emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. The project aims to provide constructive advice and coping mechanisms to positively impact lives. 

As Mike Berners-Lee famously once said, there is no planet B, which is why protecting our environment and achieving net zero emissions by 2045 is one of our core CSR aspirations. 

Every 12 months, we calculate our Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) emissions and produce a comprehensive Carbon Reduction Plan which is in line with the latest government recommendations. Emissions are calculated in accordance with the UK Government’s Environmental reporting guidelines and The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. 

These are just some of the initiatives which we facilitate to reduce direct emissions, indirect emissions and indirect value chain emissions. 

• Support UK and worldwide climate and forestation projects. Since 2023, we have helped to fund 16 projects including repairing water boreholes in Eritrea, peatland restoration and conservation in Indonesia, a wind power project in Mexico, generating renewable solar electricity in Egypt, and conserving the Amazon in Brazil.
• Since 2023, we have planted 2,350 trees.
• In 2024, we planted 720 trees.
• In 2024, we supported a number of worldwide carbon avoidance projects which have resulted in 120tCO2e avoided.
• Offer employees to join the UK Government EV Scheme.
• Onsite EV charger for employees. 
• Commitment to minimise and recycle waste. We provide dedicated bins for cardboard, plastic, cans and batteries. 
• Reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency through energy efficient lighting within the offices.
• Virtually paperless.
• Champion video meetings to minimise business travel. 
• Encourage car sharing and use of public transport to reduce travelling. 
• Use of sustainable suppliers and thoughtful purchasing wherever possible. 
• Provide employees with personalised water bottles to reduce the number of single use plastic bottles used. 
• Provide employees with the opportunity to volunteer hours in the community.