Mathew Bates, Commercial Director at Sparta Systems, shares the positive impact of having a general and mental health nurse who amongst other things visits their sites monthly, runs structured workshops, and provides an ongoing informal on-site presence.
At Sparta Systems, we believe that people are at the heart of every project. Our workforce is made up of skilled operatives (mostly subcontractors), labourers and managers, operating across
Yorkshire and the North East, and every individual is considered part of the same team.
In an industry where deadlines are tight, standards are high, and the pressure is constant, it’s easy for wellbeing to slip down the list of priorities. Like many companies, we had already taken a proactive step by training Mental Health First Aiders on our sites. However, despite their commitment and effort, we recognised some limitations. When someone was struggling, those first aiders could only signpost them towards a GP or external services and too often, that meant long waiting lists and very little immediate support. We knew we needed to do more to make mental health care accessible and meaningful for our people. More importantly, we recognised a need to take a more preventative approach not just reacting when someone said they were struggling.
Building a culture of wellbeing
That’s when we partnered with Cavalier Health, led by Lizzie Crofts, an ex-Royal Navy, dual-trained nurse (mental health and physical health) with first-hand experience of high-pressure environments. Lizzie now visits several of our sites each month, alternating between structured workshops and informal on-site presence days. The workshops cover a variety of topics that impact mental health, offering hints and tips for improving your own wellbeing and recognising signs that others may be struggling.
Her role isn’t just to “tick the mental health box” it’s to be a visible, trusted part of our workplace culture. Whether she’s delivering training or simply walking the site, Lizzie’s presence gives our team the opportunity to open up, ask questions and access professional support without stigma or delay.
The impact has been tangible.
• Conversations about mental health have become open and genuine.
• Team members are requesting one-to-one sessions to manage stress, personal loss, and life changes.
• Site morale and cohesion have noticeably improved.
What’s been most rewarding is how naturally this support has integrated into everyday working life. It’s not about stepping away from the job to talk about mental health; it’s about building a culture within the business where wellbeing is part of how we work. Partnering with Cavalier Health has shown that investing in mental health isn’t a nice to have … it’s a business decision that improves trust, retention and performance.
We’re proud to be talking about this and showing that when we invest in stronger minds, we build safer, more resilient sites — and a stronger industry for the future that is welcoming to younger generations to come into. We have reached a point in the construction industry where the benefits of genuinely valuing and supporting the workforce are becoming increasingly clear. While efforts to address the sector’s skills shortage continue, attracting and retaining top talent remains critical. Sparta’s decision to partner with Cavalier Health has enabled us to achieve this to an exceptionally high standard.
Two employees of Sparta Systems were keen to share their thoughts on how Lizzie had supported them.
“I have met with Lizzie a few times now. Being in construction can be extremely stressful at the best of times. The time she takes to sit and talk things through and try to find ways of making the day at work and life in general go a little bit better is invaluable to me and especially my son who works with me. My son has learning difficulties and finds most things tough but after only a couple of weeks of getting to know Lizzie he is showing massive signs of improvement already and for that I cannot thank her enough. Her ways of getting us to open up are amazing too and it does not feel like a session it just feels like you are talking to a friend over a cuppa. All in all, she is a breath of fresh air and this industry will be a better place with Lizzie helping us along the way,” said Adam.
Site Manager, Mark, who has spent 35 years working in construction across all kinds of companies and sites, said: “For the last two years I’ve been working with Sparta Systems as a Site Manager and a Mental Health First Aider, and even before Cavalier came on board, I genuinely felt Sparta already had a strong support system in place.
“But I can honestly say that when Cavalier partnered with Sparta, it took our mental health support to a whole new level. The difference has been felt right across the company. We have had proper, meaningful resources, from toolbox talks and mental health sessions on all sorts of topics, to monthly workshop coffee mornings where Mental Health First Aiders like me can share experiences, get guidance, and learn from people from completely different backgrounds. It has opened doors for networking, peer support, and it has given us the tools we need to actually help our workforce in a practical way.
“And on a personal note, this partnership has helped me in ways I did not expect. I have had several one-to-one sessions to help me through the grief of losing my wife, and that support has meant more than I can put into words. Knowing that kind of help is there, not just for me, but for anyone in the business, says everything about what this partnership really brings. “After three decades in the industry, I have never seen mental health taken this seriously. Cavalier and Sparta together have set a new standard, and I am proud to be part of it.”
When asked about working with Sparta Systems and how she became a trusted part of their workplace culture, Lizzie said: “As a new business finding my feet in the construction industry, I’ve faced my share of challenges. But working with Sparta Systems and other companies in the sector, I realised something very early on: the environment might be different, but people are people. Everyone is a complex character with their own story, and understanding that, that’s the part that comes naturally to me.
“I’ve developed and delivered several workshops in all kinds of settings, from heated boardrooms with a presentation screen, to cafés with none, and even standing on plasterboards in the middle of a site. Wherever I am, the message stays the same: mental health doesn’t need to be a taboo subject. It should be something we can talk about as freely as ‘what did you have for your tea last night?’ Running sessions on-site keeps disruption low but engagement high, and that’s where the real conversations happen.
“We’re often told that ‘men don’t like to talk about mental health,’ and that may be true in some cases, but in my experience, they do talk, when the environment and the people are right. The Sparta team have shown me the power of being present, being approachable, and being human. It’s created a space where people can say, ‘I’m struggling,’ and know they’ll be met with honesty,
kindness, and the support they deserve.
“My workshops cover a wide range of topics, from understanding stress and spotting the signs of burnout, to tackling banter and bullying, grief and loss, and even financial wellbeing. Every session is designed to spark conversation, build confidence, and leave people feeling more equipped to look after themselves and each other.
“I pour a lot of energy into what I do, I am exhausted by the end of the day – but I believe the people on-site deserve the best level of care and commitment, as they show for their role on site. I just need to make sure I practice what I preach at the end of the day and take the appropriate rest. “Seeing the shift when a group that starts off quiet ends up talking, laughing, and sharing openly that’s what drives me. It’s proof that when you show up with passion and authenticity, real change can happen.
Find out more
If you would like to discuss Sparta Systems’ experiences further, please contact Natalie at: nmcdermott@spartasystems.co.uk
If you would like to discuss with Lizzie how Cavalier Health can support your business, please contact her at: lizzie@cavalierhealth.co.uk www.spartasystems.co.uk
