About Trafford Housing Trust

THT has embraced and seen the benefits of coaching over the last 12 months, through a management coaching programme, supported by group training sessions to reinforce common developmental themes.  In a survey conducted with approx. 50 THT managers early last year, it has in some cases transformed the way people view their role, with managers reporting increased levels of confidence and self-belief (88%), improved performance management capability (95%) ability to look at problems and issues in new ways (93%) motivation/inspiration to make improvements or try new things (88%).  These successes are in part due to the fact that the remit was clear, it was about specifically improving management skills but at an individual level – so people received the direct support that they needed to improve as opposed to a ‘one size fits all’ training approach.  The message also coming back from managers, is that whilst they wish to continue coaching, they are keen to embed this within the organisation through the development of a cross section of staff to provide internal coaching that can support teams as well as individuals creating a coaching culture for THT and a key objective of the company's Management Development next year is to develop this.

There have been a number of meetings during the last 12 months, some of which have been attended by Leadership, Senior Managers and Managers which have dealt with strategic issues.  These have included presentations relating to changes in the organisational structure of the Trust to introduce 5 new work steams and the effects of these in respect of new staffing structures.  Following on from these high level meetings, Managers have arranged Team Meetings to present and explain changes that were being discussed by Leadership to their individual Teams.  Other Team Meetings have been arranged by Managers to bring their Teams together outside the Office environment.  These may well introduce a new member of staff to everybody, discuss changes that are taking place as well as giving staff the opportunity to get together with colleagues in more relaxed surroundings than their Offices.  The company have maintained their links with National Give and Gain Day and around 100 staff took part in a range of activities in the Community.  This brings together staff from all areas in the Business where they share experiences with colleagues who they meet infrequently during the working day.

Employees at Trafford Housing Trust are rewarded in a number of ways through the Star system, with the primary intention of being something which the employee is individually pleased to receive.  For some employees, this may be a shopping voucher for others a trip to a football match or a bottle of wine.  There is also group rewards.  For example, Managers take their team for breakfast or lunch or just buy pizzas for the whole team to enjoy.  Managing Directors hand write cards when somebody has been nominated for a reward.  These are hand written and posted to the individuals address to be received on a Saturday, so they can read them at home.