Bromsgrove District Housing Trust

At BDHT they try never to say ‘no' to anyone's request for development. They believe that the motivation and goodwill created by actively supporting staff on meeting their personal work related ambitions is invaluable. Each year their corporate sponsorship programme ensures that any member of staff is given the opportunity to achieve their ambitions ranging from a GCSE in English to a professional qualification. In the last five years 78% of their staff have engaged in the corporate sponsorship scheme. Using the MC3 tool as the starting point BDHT developed a bespoke Leadership Development Programme focusing on motivation energy, prioritisation, encouragement, engagement and empowerment. This learning was used to examine BDHT's current structures and system, and consider how to best support the development of staff.

The Wellbeing breakfasts, eight per year, are a huge hit with staff. Everyone gets to socialise with colleagues and improve their health and wellbeing! This year the ‘Wellbeing Champions' developed the concept of ‘mind-body link', looking at ‘the energies', raising awareness of the negative effects of stress on people's bodies, recognising that people are human-beings with different personalities, energy levels and interests. Successful new initiatives have been a visit by The Energy Doctor to re-energise lives! Establishment of a weekly yoga group. The ‘No Skills Required' staff choir, recognising positive effects on wellbeing of music and singing. Training ‘Wellbeing Champions' to deliver ‘NHS Health Chats' to motivate colleagues to make small changes to their lifestyles to benefit their long term health. Mental Health Awareness training sessions for Leaders. Following staff feedback the usual Wellbeing Day was transformed into ‘Feed Your Soul Fortnight' with taster Qui-Gong sessions, holistic therapies, wellbeing walks, health talks, ‘Mindfulness' sessions, staff lunch share, a health quiz, culminating in a morning of laughter with the Laughter Clinic! An added benefit was that all staff were allowed time out to attend two sessions during their working day and everyone was given a voucher for an extra hour in bed! Although a simple idea, but probably the most important thing bdht do, is to encourage people to have fun. Furthermore BDHT expect that this is part of the working day. The more they promote fun, the better they perform.

At BDHT they try never to say ‘no' to anyone's request for development. They believe that the motivation and goodwill created by actively supporting staff on meeting their personal work related ambitions is invaluable. Each year their corporate sponsorship programme ensures that any member of staff is given the opportunity to achieve their ambitions ranging from a GCSE in English to a professional qualification. In the last five years 78% of their staff have engaged in the corporate sponsorship scheme. Using the MC3 tool as the starting point BDHT developed a bespoke Leadership Development Programme focusing on motivation energy, prioritisation, encouragement, engagement and empowerment. This learning was used to examine BDHT's current structures and system, and consider how to best support the development of staff.