Charity accredited two stars in top employers survey

Fareham-based social care organisation YOU, which employs over 450 staff across Hampshire and Dorset, has been revealed as one of only 158 organisations in the UK to receive two-star Star status in the Best Companies Accreditation 2011.

In a recent staff survey carried out in over 1000 organisations, a third sector care organisation with headquarters in Fareham - The YOU Trust - rated highly as a business employer. The Best Companies accreditation award scheme is based on staff feedback, which is one of the reasons it is so highly respected. It honours companies who use employee engagement as an integral part of their success and growth, and it sets a benchmark for all employers. It follows a Michelin star-style system with companies awarded one star for first class, two stars for outstanding and three stars for extraordinary performance. In a statement thanking staff for their contribution in the survey, Director of People & Learning, Liz Page said,” the excellent news is that we scored significantly higher than last year, when YOU was ranked 96th within Top 100 Companies To Work For. We'll aim even higher next year." Jonathan Austin, Founder and CEO of Best Companies, said: “We would like to congratulate YOU on their outstanding achievement. An engaged workforce is essential as organisations move out of the recession and into a more stable economic situation. No doubt many organisations have tackled redundancies and rapid change this year. But organisations like YOU that have kept on engaging their staff and making sure they are involved in the business will be in a good position for the future and should be congratulated for their efforts”. “This is really exciting news,” said Liz Page, Director of People and Learning at YOU, “We all work really well together as a team and are thoroughly committed to what we do. It is good to know that not only are we appreciated by the people we help, but also by those we work with. This award is testimony to the pride that each of us takes in our job at YOU.” YOU provides services to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, people with a mental illness, those with a learning disability, young people (including young parents) at risk of homelessness, ex-offenders and women and children surviving domestic violence. To find out more about YOU and the services and support they provide to disadvantaged members of our community, visit their website on www.lifeyouwant.org.uk Ends Words: 451