Magicians and circus acts were among the entertainment laid on for staff at housing association CHP. Based in Chelmsford, Essex, the association, which was established in 2002, aims to meet housing needs by providing homes for rent and sale.

Its mission is to "transform lives". It works to help communities and families in the county thrive, and it maintains that everyone deserves to live in a high-quality, affordable home.

CHP also believes in a fair deal for all and has a transparent pay policy. It tracks the gender pay gap and has just implemented a new HR system that will identify any ethnicity pay gap.

It also operates a reward system. CHPraise is a peer-recognition platform that celebrates those who are living the association's values, who are great colleagues or get things done.

Staff at CHP have different responsibilities, but all work together to help their customers, whether it's fixing a repair, managing a tenancy or building new homes.

The association has developed a graduate programme, through which staff collaborate on developing the organisation's environmental sustainability strategy, as well as working on other corporate projects.

Each graduate is mentored by a member of the leadership team, including the chief executive, Paul Edwards. The participants work towards becoming specialists in their field by undertaking a two-year placement in one area. As well as studying for professional qualifications, they also study for the Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 qualification.