How We’re Supporting Our Team at Barkers Photo Fun
When my co-director Natasha and I sat down earlier this year to discuss how we could better support our team, we knew we wanted to do more than just talk about staff wellbeing. We wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Like many small businesses, we’re acutely aware of the cost-of-living pressures our team faces. When a simple osteopath appointment costs £50-£80, or a dental check-up feels like a luxury rather than a necessity, people put their health on the back burner. They’re living day to day, and preventative healthcare often becomes an unaffordable luxury.
That’s when we discovered Westfield Health through our membership with Norfolk Chambers of Commerce.
A Small Investment, A Big Impact
For around £10 per month per employee, we could offer our team access to a comprehensive health cash plan covering everything from osteopathy and dental care to optical appointments and counselling services. It seemed almost too good to be true, but Natasha and I agreed it was exactly the kind of support we wanted to provide.
The results? They’ve been genuinely transformative.
Natasha herself recently visited an osteopath for the first time. “I wouldn’t have done it without having this cover,” she admitted. “I’d been putting it off because of the cost, but once that financial barrier was removed, I finally prioritised my own health.” As business owners, we’re often the worst at looking after ourselves, so even getting the directors to use the benefits felt like a win.
I’ve personally used the plan for recent dental and optician appointments, and knowing I can claim back a portion of those costs has been a genuine relief. But perhaps most importantly, one of our team members has been accessing the counselling services. Mental health support shouldn’t be a luxury, and having this available, confidentially and without financial stress, means the world to us as employers.
The Bigger Picture
We’re not sharing this to pat ourselves on the back. We’re sharing it because it’s been such an easy, affordable win that we think every business should know about it.
In an industry like ours—photography and photo booths—our people are everything. Their energy, creativity, and dedication make Barkers Photo Fun what it is. When they’re struggling physically or mentally, it affects not just their wellbeing but the entire team dynamic. A healthy workforce genuinely is a happy workforce, and a happy workforce delivers better service, shows up with enthusiasm, and sticks around for the long term.
The beauty of the Westfield Health scheme through Norfolk Chambers is that it’s accessible for businesses of all sizes. You don’t need a huge HR budget or a multinational infrastructure. You just need to care about your people and be willing to invest a small amount each month to prove it. It’s even available for sole traders!
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
We’re living through challenging economic times. People are making difficult choices about what they can and can’t afford. Healthcare shouldn’t be one of those difficult choices, but increasingly, it is.
By offering Westfield Health to our team, we’ve removed one barrier. We’ve told our staff, “Your health matters to us, not just your productivity.” And the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People feel valued. They feel supported. And crucially, they’re actually using the benefits rather than suffering in silence.
A Challenge to Other Business Owners
If you’re a member of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce (and if you’re not, you should be), I’d encourage you to look into the Westfield Health partnership. Contact the Chamber for more details about how you can access this benefit for your own team.
Yes, it costs money. But for roughly the price of a couple of coffees per employee per month, you’re investing in their health, happiness, and loyalty. You’re showing them they matter beyond their job description.
At Barkers Photo Fun, we believe that taking care of our team isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. And with schemes like Westfield Health available through Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, there’s really no excuse not to.
Your team takes care of your business every single day. Isn’t it time we took better care of them?
Victor Ling
Managing Director
