Care home provider brighterkind has won Employee Engagement of the Year award at the Personnel Today Awards.

The award recognises brighterkind’s efforts in employee engagement and implementing positive change throughout the business.

brighterkind has built an extensive Learning and Development team and positive culture. This began with the recruitment of more than 300 volunteers across all of its care homes- self-titled ‘Pacesetters’ who deliver values-based cultural messages and create fun at work.

Pacesetters deliver high-energy activities to colleagues in 30-minute sessions and act as conduits, passing opinions, suggestions and feedback to the senior leadership team, creating an open channel for communication. Some of the exciting activities specifically designed by the Pacesetters include Twister, Values Scrabble and Positive Language Bingo. By engaging the most enthusiastic team members as volunteer change agents, brighterkind has created an organisation-wide culture that delivers an exceptional experience for residents.

Pacesetters spend two days training, and then go back to their places of work and deliver the same training to their colleagues. The training focuses on behaviours, language, and team interaction. To date, they have trained hundreds of volunteers who range from home managers to laundry assistants.

Pacesetters need no prior experience, only a passion and energy to make their care home the best and to deliver “Love Every Day” training.

The ‘Pacesetters’ volunteer programme has become a hive of support. Trainers regularly share training guides, suggestions and stories from their learning events on a Facebook group. 

By investing in the team, brighterkind ensures that it provides exceptional care for residents, evidenced in positive reviews of the homes online, in reports and by more team members volunteering to become Pacesetters.

Overall, the culture changes introduced by brighterkind have led to a 23% increase in Employee Net Promotor Score (ENPS) and 15% lift in private occupancy, winning brighterkind the Employee Engagement Award.

Antony Smith, Head of Culture and Training at brighterkind, said: “We are very proud to have won the Personnel Today’s Employee Engagement of the Year award. It really showcases the passion and commitment of our team members to help our residents to love every day, which is one of our brighterkind values.”

www.brighterkind.com