Throughout June and July, Housing 21 shone a spotlight on the actions of employees across the country in making a positive impact on residents, colleagues and the wider community.
The examples were used as a catalyst for the organisation’s new Make A Difference Everyday initiative (#MADEByUs) which highlights how the small but deliberate actions of individuals can make a huge difference to others.
Ian Hodson, Director of People and Culture at Housing 21, talks about the importance of the Make A Difference Everyday initiative, and why it represents more than just a campaign but reflects the foundations of the whole organisation.
Ian’s thoughts:
"As leading a provider of housing with on-site support or care, Housing 21 is an organisation built around purpose. We exist to help older people to live well and as a not-for-profit provider, our profits go straight back into improving services for residents, rather than into the pockets of shareholders.
"Whilst our Make A Difference Everyday campaign is new, the concept isn’t. It’s rooted in our history, which dates back to 1921 when we worked with the Royal British Legion to help house disabled ex-servicemen and their families. And ever since then, we’ve built on those early foundations to become an expert provider of older people’s housing, working tirelessly to make a difference to residents and their families.
"None of what we do could happen without one thing: our employees. The people who show up day in, day out to deliver the best possible service and who share our values and commitment to make a difference. With over 4,200 employees representing Housing 21, every single person plays their part in making this happen and through this new campaign, we want to ensure people not only understand the role they play but are also recognised for it.
"As a devolved model, we have schemes and employees based across the country. Some roles, such as Care Workers and Local Housing Managers, have direct face-to-face contact with residents and it’s often easy to align their actions with resident satisfaction. Others, such as the IT, Development or Rewards and Benefits Teams for example, may be more removed from direct contact with residents. But that doesn’t mean they play any less of a part or are any less integral in our quest to achieve 95 per cent resident satisfaction.
"Without our IT teams providing the systems and software, our Rewards and Benefits Teams enhancing our employee offer or the Development Teams building properties, we would not be able to offer the service we do to residents. So, our Make A Difference Everyday initiative is about celebrating the impact we, as individuals and collectively as Housing 21, have on others. Not only on residents, but on each other as colleagues, the organisation and the wider community.
"It’s about recognising the small but deliberate actions that people often absorb as part of the day job. Things that wouldn’t make headlines, win industry awards or save money. But nonetheless have a priceless impact on the people around them. The extra 10 minutes an employee gives to a resident to make them feel valued. The colleague who puts their own work on pause to help a teammate in need. The people who volunteer their free time to charitable causes.
"Making A Difference Everyday is not always about the extravagant examples of people going above and beyond. It’s the quiet, unsung actions that take place in the background every day but deserve to be brought to the forefront.
"Through this campaign we want to know that those actions are seen. They are heard. And they are not taken for granted. And together, we Make A Difference Everyday and create positive experiences that are #MADEByUs."
Read the news article about Make A Difference Everyday.