A REBRANDING THAT turned Julian Housing into Julian Support has revitalised the mental health charity. Last year's renaming and new logo, on which staff were consulted, coincided with winning new bids and employees are excited about where the organisation is going, scoring 79% positive. Originally set up to support people who were struggling to find housing and get their benefit entitlement, the Norwich-based charity has developed a wider range of work, so it was felt a change was necessary after more than 20 years as Julian Housing. In a business plan published last year for 2011-14, Julian Support announced its plan to expand into other counties, having won contracts in Suffolk. It also has offices in Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn. Free lunches for all staff three times a year encourage them to raise issues with Pip Coker, the chief executive. Three quarters of the 91-strong workforce has spoken to Coker in this way and staff feel inspired by her leadership (84%, ranked fifth among small organisations). They are confident in the skills of the senior management team (84%, in second place), and Julian Support has a Leadership factor score of 83% overall. More than a quarter of staff have been with the charity for 10 years or more and the retention rate may be to do with the fact that teams tend to work well together (62%). One member of staff says on the charity's website: "We are encouraged to look for clients' strengths and strengths within ourselves and colleagues. We are not expected to be perfect or the same as each other. We are valued as individuals." www.juliansupport.org
