Inspired Villages Group, which runs retirement villages in Warwickshire, Cheshire, West Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Devon, says it offers "a job that means more". As a result of leading with its purpose, values and culture, it has seen a big rise in job applications and, thanks to its focus on internal mobility and career development, there were 17 internal promotions last year.
Staff who are eager to learn, develop and progress are given the opportunity to experience new challenges and projects that stretch them. Over the past 12 months, almost 1,770 training days have been completed.
Employees and residents are made to feel part of a community that feels like family. Chief executive Jamie Bunce says: "Community is key for us, so we put great emphasis on building our relationships with the wider local area." With this in mind, the organisation's Inspired Friendships initiative helps to tackle loneliness among older people. Staff volunteer to make calls to members of the scheme for a chat and to make new friendships.
The social culture is maintained through organising events that help colleagues get to know each other, regardless of location. Time for Tea, in which staff are paired to share a moment over a cuppa, reinforces the culture — and more than 1,000 cups of tea were drunk last year.
Meanwhile, Time to Talk sessions offer a safe space for staff to talk openly about personal issues and challenges, and "wellbeing buddies" encourage each other to reach health goals.
