Cygnet Health Care Employee Initiative Scoops National Award

A provider of services for individuals with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism is celebrating after its employee initiative was recognised at the Engagement Excellence Awards.

Cygnet Health Care scooped top prize at the Reward Gateway Engagement Excellence Awards 2022 in the category of ‘Most Impactful Peer-To-Peer Recognition Strategy’ for its Characters of Care scheme.

The award recognised companies that have used innovative and creative ways to build a culture of appreciation and which helps reinforce the company purpose, mission and values.

In June 2021, Cygnet launched the Characters of Care staff recognition scheme; a peer-to-peer initiative that empowers employees to celebrate colleagues and reward their success. Each month, staff can nominate colleagues for a character that best represents a recent achievement or commendable action. Staff can choose from a series of 12 fun and engaging characters which were developed by staff, for staff and represent the many ways staff put values in to action every day so that they are able to deliver outstanding care.

The 12 Characters of Care are: Resilience, Comfort, Growth, Passion, Positivity, Empathy, Fun, Support, Communication, Flexibility, Trust and Hard work.

At the end of each month, all nominees receive an email letting them know they have been nominated for a Character of Care award so that they can hear the positive feedback received from peers. Fifty of the most inspiring nominations are published on the recognition page on Cygnet’s Careers website and these individuals are awarded £30 through the staff reward portal, Reward Gateway.

Jenny Gibson, Cygnet Health Care’s HR Director, said: “We are so pleased to have won this award, it is a fantastic recognition of a scheme which has had a powerful and positive impact on the culture here at Cygnet Health Care.

“Our employees are our most valuable asset and it is important that we applaud them in a way which makes them realise how much we appreciate the work they do to provide our service users with the very highest standard of care, no matter their job role.

“Celebrating each other’s success is incredibly powerful and our peer recognition scheme not only helps employees become more engaged but it creates a culture of appreciation and collaboration.‍ Giving staff ownership of the nomination process makes the scheme especially important for those who don’t always seek the spotlight.

“What matters to employees is that they feel valued and recognised for their hard work. We know that peer recognition really helps to improve employee satisfaction and retention and I am so proud that our Characters of Care scheme has been recognised as achieving this.”