ENCOURAGING STAFF TO fulfil long-held ambitions is part of the ethos at City West Housing Trust, even if that means swimming with sharks. Every year, chief executive Tim Doyle awards sponsorship to employees so they can pursue a passion, which has included anything from learning to play the guitar to feeding wild cats. In work, managers oversee the development of their team members and last year more than £700 per employee was spent on training. The social-housing provider makes sure it holds on to talented people by mentoring and coaching them in an “excellence academy”. Staff say their jobs are good for their personal growth, awarding a 79% positive rating — a score bettered by only one other mid-sized not-for-profit organisation in our survey. The trust wins our special Innovation in Engagement Practice award this year. Staff also feel the training they receive is of great personal benefit (72%, fourth). Managers help people reach their potential (72%, third) and motivate them to give their best every day (70%, second). The Manchester-based social landlord trust was established in 2008 when it acquired Salford city council's housing stock. It owns and manages 14,600 homes and has invested £235m towards improving them to create neighbourhoods and communities where people want to live. Last year, it launched a scheme to promote work for charity and nearly half the workforce signed up. Teams, including Doyle, climbed Ben Nevis and cycled from London to Brussels and Amsterdam, while closer to home they spruced up a community garden. To coincide with the Olympics, all 434 staff members were invited to take part in their own games. Medals were awarded for joining the car-share scheme or receiving a compliment from a customer, as well as for sporting endeavours. The Games were also the theme of the annual conference, when former Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell was guest speaker. Typically, a neighbourhood officer's annual wage is £23,338. Employees who perform consistently well throughout the year receive a pay rise. Overall, staff say they are paid fairly compared with colleagues (64%), and receive a salary which matches their responsibilities (65%, both fifth).
