At SeeAbility we put people first. We develop people’s potential, reward great work and support wellbeing. A core part of our 2022-2027 strategy is creating a community where people love to work and are supported to do their best.

How we put people first:

• There is fairness, we can all be ourselves and feel we belong.
• Everyone is able to contribute and feels listened to.  
• People make their own decisions and are accountable.  
• Everyone feels appreciated, safe and able to do their best.

Last year we launched our Leadership Academy, giving development activities and mentoring to 10 colleagues with high aspirations. Through this programme, we are building a culture of inclusive leadership and devolved accountability, so future leaders of SeeAbility can continue to create change.

It was a huge success, with two colleagues having now been promoted, another taking on their first line management role and another becoming the chair of our Pride Network. Seeing such positive change in confidence and leadership ability, we have already lined up the next group for 2024.

Our focus on the wellbeing and mental health of our colleagues continues. We expanded our team to 30 wellbeing coaches and now have specialist coaches for menopause, domestic violence and abuse, men's health, nutrition, fertility, addiction, financial wellbeing, and bereavement. These dedicated coaches play a key role in supporting colleagues, which has reduced sickness, particularly around stress and depression. Our breakfast clubs also carried on running this year to ensure our teams start their day right.

The annual SeeAbility Excellence Awards celebrated our colleagues and teams, recognising their hard work and dedication in making a difference for people we support. Finalists were nominated by people across the SeeAbility community, with the awards presented at our AGM at Hampton Court Palace.

We can only do what we do with our incredible team of colleagues, making a massive difference in people’s lives. We were pleased to reward our colleagues by increasing support worker salaries by 14%.

We’re seeing results from our work to improve pay and wellbeing, with a reduction in vacancy rates to 10%, and rises in both our colleagues staying with us, as well as being promoted within SeeAbility.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and belonging was launched this year. A key part is our new inclusion network for disability, joining our established racial awareness and pride networks, which bring together colleagues from across SeeAbility to create a sense of belonging.

For us, it's not about ticking a box or following a trend – it's about really believing in the power of inclusion and ensuring every person, regardless of their background or identity, feels valued and respected. It’s about creating a genuine sense of belonging for all, where everyone feels like they’re truly part of what we’re achieving at SeeAbility.