Riverhills and Suffolk New College Partnership Creates Jobs and Bright Futures for Local Talent

A long-standing partnership between Riverhills Health Club and Day Spa and Suffolk New College in Ipswich has led to three newly qualified beauty therapists securing their first roles at the club and we are delighted to welcome them to the team. The relationship between the college and Riverhills has grown steadily over the past few years, underpinned by the college's support during our temporary closure following a fire in 2023, and is now delivering exciting career opportunities for local students.

The three new therapists, Casie-Mai Lusher (19), Lily Pemberton-Clougherty (18), and Scarlet Adams (18), are all recent graduates of Suffolk New College's Level Three Beauty Therapy NVQ programme. Casie-Mai and Scarlet particularly stood out during the end of term competitive trade test event judged by Spa Manager, Debbie Lawes, where top-performing students were invited to demonstrate their skills. Inspired by Debbie's visit and the exciting transformation at Riverhills, all three applied and are now working full-time delivering treatments.

Debbie said: “At Riverhills, we're passionate about giving every guest an amazing experience and that starts with exceptional therapist treatments. That's why we invest in training from day one, with support from our online academy and hands-on guidance from our in-house trainer Claire Richardson, who's been with us for over 20 years. It was a real pleasure to be invited to Suffolk New College's end-of-year trade tests and to see the incredible talent coming through. I'm absolutely delighted that three of their top students have now joined our team, we hope it's the beginning of a long and fulfilling career for each of them.”

Therapist, Lily Pemberton-Clougherty said; “I'm really excited to be starting my career at Riverhills, especially after the amazing £5 million rebuild—it's such an exciting time to join. The spa has such a great reputation, and when Debbie came to speak at the college, it really inspired me. I'm proud to be part of the team and can't wait to see where this opportunity takes me.”

The partnership between Riverhills and the Suffolk New College deepened during the spa's fire induced closure in 2023, when Suffolk New College kindly offered use of their treatment rooms for eight weeks, allowing Riverhills therapists to continue caring for members and guests. In return, college staff and lecturers were among the first to enjoy the upgraded facilities during our "dress rehearsal" weeks.

Riverhills has since invested further in the next generation of therapists, offering mentoring, in-house training, and access to industry-recognised courses. Hayley McGlone, Curriculum Coordinator for Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, Barbering & Early Years at Suffolk New College Ipswich, commented: “Our goal at Suffolk New College is to ensure our students leave us fully prepared for the workplace, with the skills and confidence to step straight into real employment opportunities. We're absolutely delighted that three of our recent graduates have been snapped up by Riverhills, a company we've come to know well over the past few years. It's a real coup for our students to start their careers in such a well-established and respected spa. Having worked for Mosaic, who own Riverhills, myself before joining the college, I know first-hand the high standards and supportive environment they offer.”

Training and development are a key part of our commitment to quality. The three new team members are currently working closely with the Spa's in-house trainer, Claire Richardson, who has been instrumental in building their confidence and technical skills. In August, they will also complete a five-day intensive training programme with our product house, Temple Spa, to further enhance their treatment expertise.

The future of Riverhills may be filled with new treatments and luxurious spaces, but at the heart of its success are partnerships like this one, connecting local talent with real opportunities.