RecruitingInterventional

The Supply chain Health INitiative Evaluation (SHINE) study protocol: Evaluating health and wellbeing services delivered through the supply chain.

The SHINE study explores how health and wellbeing services (HWS) can be provided to smaller businesses (SMEs) through the larger companies they work with. Many SMEs struggle to offer these services, which are important for staff health and job satisfaction. Researchers will work with selected SMEs, some of which will receive a specially designed HWS package for a year. They'll then compare health and work outcomes, like how engaged employees feel, between these companies and others that don't receive the services. The goal is to understand if this new way of providing support can make a difference and if it's something SMEs would want to invest in in the future, potentially shaping government policy on workplace health.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

1,170

Start

27 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2026

General health and wellbeing. No specific health condition(s) or problem(s) to be studied in this study.

What is this study about?

Work is really important for many reasons, not just for money but also for giving us a sense of purpose and confidence. When someone isn't feeling well, it can affect their ability to do their job properly or even work at all. Health and wellbeing services, like mental health support or workplace health advice, are designed to help prevent illness and keep people healthy so they can stay at work and feel good.

However, it's often difficult for smaller and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to offer these kinds of services to their employees. They might not know what's available, or they might be unsure about buying services from outside providers. This study looks at a new idea: what if larger companies, which many SMEs already work with as part of their supply chain, could help offer these health and wellbeing services? The study wants to find out if delivering support this way makes it easier for staff in SMEs to access and benefit from these services.

For this study, researchers are working with large companies like Jaguar Land Rover, an NHS Trust, and Transport for London. These larger companies have helped recruit some of the smaller businesses they work with. Some of these smaller businesses will get a special health and wellbeing package for their employees for one year, while others won't. The study will then track how employees in all these businesses are doing, looking at things like their job satisfaction, physical health, and mental wellbeing, to see if the services made a positive difference.

Key takeaways

A UK study looking at new ways to provide health support to smaller businesses.
It aims to understand if larger companies can help deliver crucial health and wellbeing services.
Participation involves filling out four surveys over 18 months about your health and work.
The results could help shape future government policies on employee health.
You might gain a better understanding of your own health strategies.
There's a small risk of discomfort when reflecting on health, but you can stop at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, businesses need to be based in the UK and have between 10 and 249 staff members. They also need to operate on their own and not be owned by a bigger company. This helps the researchers make sure they are studying true small and medium-sized enterprises.

Within these chosen businesses, any employee who is 16 years old or older can take part in the study. This includes salaried staff, apprentices, contractors, or volunteers that the company usually involves in such initiatives. The study wants to hear from everyone eligible to get a full picture of how the services might affect a diverse workforce.

Businesses cannot take part if they have fewer than 10 employees or 250 or more, as these are not considered small or medium-sized for this study. Also, companies that are part of a larger group are not included, because that larger group might already offer similar health services, which could confuse the study results.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your company based in the UK?
Does your company have between 10 and 249 employees?
Does your company operate independently (not owned by a larger firm)?
Are you 16 years old or older?
Do you currently work for one of the selected participating companies?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your company is chosen to be part of this study, here’s what would generally happen:

If your company is in the 'intervention group', you will receive a specially designed health and wellbeing package for one year. This package might include things like promoting workplace health, looking after mental health, and training managers to have supportive conversations about wellbeing. Your company will have trained 'champions' who will help run these activities and work with health advisors.

All employees in participating companies will be asked to complete four online surveys. The first survey will be before any services start. Then, there will be three follow-up surveys: one halfway through the year of services (at 6 months), one at the end of the year (at 12 months), and one six months after the services have finished (at 18 months). These surveys will ask about your work engagement, physical and mental health, and general wellbeing. Completing all four surveys gives you a chance to win a voucher. Some company managers might also be asked to share their thoughts on paying for health and wellbeing services.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some positive benefits. You might gain a better understanding of how to improve your own health and wellbeing. The study itself is important for understanding how to best support employees in small and medium-sized businesses, and its findings could influence future government policies on workplace health. While the study team expects positive outcomes, there is a small risk that thinking about your health and wellbeing when answering surveys or accessing services could cause some distress. If you feel uncomfortable, you can skip questions or stop the survey at any time. If distress occurs when using health and wellbeing support, staff organising the services will follow company procedures to get you help, which might mean sharing information to ensure you get the right support. You are always free to decide not to continue participating in the study at any point.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Multiple Small and Medium Enterprises located in the UK
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The study aims to see if larger companies can effectively deliver health and wellbeing services to smaller businesses they work with, and if this helps employees.

What kind of health services will be offered?

The services will likely include promoting general workplace health, mental health support, and training for managers on having wellbeing conversations.

How long will the study last for me?

If you complete all surveys, your participation will span 18 months in total (with four surveys over that period).

Will my answers in the survey be private?

The study aims to maintain your privacy. However, if you become distressed when accessing health and wellbeing support, confidentiality might be broken to connect you with help.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.

How to find out more

Brendan Dempsey

brendan.dempsey@nhs.net - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.