Our vision is to create a psychologically safe, happy and motivated workplace where our team delivers a consistently high standard of service, shines in niche areas and is collectively invested in the long-term profitability and success of a vet practice held in high regard by the wider veterinary community.

It's important we work together as a unified team where expectations are clear, not just around role and responsibilities but also with regard to how we work with each other for workplace wellbeing and best results. We have five collectively-agreed values and have created related promise statements that we all pledge to work by. These are displayed on a gratitude board in our kitchen where team can publicly recognise others' related actions, kindnesses and successes.

We also celebrate small wins via our happiness jar and these are read out at continuous improvement system meetings.

Accountability counts for a happy workplace. We encourage all individuals to be accountable. This means being accountable for their own behaviour and being aware of the impact this has on others. Being accountable also extends to respectfully challenging others' unhelpful behaviour when encountered to prevent something small becoming a much bigger issue. We have a team-created accountability tool kit on display in practice, giving strategies and potential questions we can ask to open up communication and help to move unhelpful behaviour on. Our open door policy means team leaders and directors are always happy to support as needed.

Nurturing a positive culture really matters to us. It's something we discuss with candidates at interview, is a significant part of the induction process and is something we revisit regularly with team. We carry out specific culture and ethos refresher workshops every 12-18 months. This year, we're creating a vision board of practice values together as a pictorial reminder and a unique piece of staff room art.

We're really big on team at 387 Vets and on nurturing positive working relationships. We appreciate that whilst, as individuals, we may have different strengths and approaches, we all want the same positive work outcome.

To help us understand ourselves and each other better, all team members have taken part in 'Contribution Compass' profiling, with the majority of team also attending off-site training. We've learned about the eight different profiles and how to get the best from others. We have a display in the staffroom showing where team members sit on the compass together with do's and don'ts for harmonious working, positive communication and project success. All newcomers take the survey too.

One of our shining strengths is compassion: reaching out, being supportive and actively listening to see if we can help. If something doesn't go to plan, it's the norm for us to review and see how we could improve, be it through whole or sub team discussion or through 1-1 mentoring or CPD. We appreciate that being thrown a curve ball can have the positive outcome of spring-boarding new ideas, new learning and positive change.