“Welcome to Freebridge Community Housing – we are delighted that you have decided to join us.”

“At Freebridge, our biggest asset is our people and we are committed to developing and supporting our employees throughout their time here. We have worked closely with our staff to create a supportive work environment where you can maximise a range of opportunities which you can find out more about in this booklet.

I believe that Freebridge is a unique organisation and a great place to work and what makes us so special are our employees, people like you. Our Management Team is always keen to hear ideas about how we can make Freebridge an even better place to work so please do get in touch if you have any suggestions.

Once again, I would like to welcome you to Freebridge and look forward to meeting you shortly.”

Tony HallChief Executive

Our Vision, Mission and Values

“Our Vision is our long-term aspiration, our Mission sums up what we do and our Values outline how we do what we do.

Our Vision is A Better West Norfolk and we are working with partners to achieve this. Our Mission is Creating Homes and Developing Opportunities for People Within West Norfolk. We are here, primarily, to provide homes for our existing and future tenants but we also want to create opportunities. These opportunities are varied and include

activities such as providing access to training and education or supporting community projects.

When you join Freebridge, you will hear a lot about our Values which are Customer Focus, Working Together, Integrity, Enthusiasm and Empowerment. These Values are the cornerstones of how we work and they are key to the success of our organisation. Our ‘Value badges’ recognise individuals who have exceptionally demonstrated one or

more of our Values. The Values also form part of our Performance Review and each year, you will have objectives set around the Values. And, you will hear the Values in

everyday language at Freebridge, so integral are they to our organisation.”

Tony Hall, Chief Executive

Mary Gober approach

“At Freebridge, we have invested in the Mary Gober approach. This is a hugely successful approach to customer service which provides our employees with a range of techniques to support them to deliver excellent customer service. The approach is based upon psychology and is hugely effective.

When you join us, you will receive training in the Mary Gober approach, training which most staff find very instructive and fun! The short course is interactive and enjoyable and after the two days, you will feel equipped and able to use the Mary Gober principles when communicating with customers and colleagues.

Throughout your time with Freebridge, you will receive ongoing support in delivering the Mary Gober approach from a number of fully trained champions in the organisation. And, as you use Mary Gober, you will see the benefits for yourself; since we introduced Mary Gober into the organisation, our customer satisfaction has significantly increased and we receive many more compliments from our tenants.”

Robert Clarke, Director of Housing

DEVELOPING HOMES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIESFOR PEOPLE WITHIN WEST NORFOLK

Freebridge Community HousingJuniper HouseAustin StreetKing’s LynnNorfolk PE30 1DZ

Email: enquiries@freebridge.org.ukMain Switchboard Telephone: 03332 404 444

Office Opening Hours:8:45am - 5.15pm (Mon-Thurs)8:45am - 4.45pm (Fri)Bank Holidays, Saturday and Sunday Closed

Out of Office Hours:The main telephone number (03332 404 444) will divert to our 24 hour emergency service.

THE FREEBRIDGE WAY OF WORKING

Tony Hall, Chief Executive

The Management Team

“When you join us, you will receive training

in the Mary Gober approach, training

which most staff find very instructive

and fun!”

Robert Clarke, Director of Housing

Reward and Recognition

“At Freebridge, we are keen to reward and recognise our employees and we do so in a number of ways.

You can recognise a colleague with a Thank You card and a small gift, and we will celebrate any special milestones you have coming up with a card and gift vouchers or treats.

We are always keen to hear your suggestions and through our Ideas scheme, if we implement your idea and save money, you could benefit too!

The Business Plan Bond is a cash reward linked to our Business Plan objectives which is paid once a year. And our Values badges recognise employees who are exceptionally demonstrating the values.

Every year, we give out a special employee achievement award at the Freebridge Community Awards, and we love to share the compliments our employees receive with the organisation. We are always keen to recognise what you achieve here at Freebridge.”

Michelle Gant, Director of Engagement

Keeping You Involved

“Freebridge wants to keep you involved in our work, and give you an opportunity to have your say, throughout your time here. We can all play a role in making Freebridge

an even better place to work.

You can get involved through a whole range of activities. There are Employee Focus Groups and lunches with members of the Management Team where you can give your

views and ask questions.

You can also have a say in the charities which Freebridge staff supports. Each year, employees are asked to nominate and vote for the three charities they would like to

support with fundraising activity throughout the year. You can also help by coming up with ideas for charity events.

Once a year you will receive a staff survey where you can give your views across a range of questions. And, we keep you informed and involved through the Freebridge

Focus – the employee bulletin which is written for employees by employees; regular briefings and team meetings, end of year events, and the annual employee

conference.”

Karen Brundle, Scheduling Supervisor

Looking after your Wellbeing

“Your wellbeing is very important to us as we know that for you to be able to perform at your best, you need to feel good in yourself. We have a wellbeing action plan which includes activities to support employees’ career, physical, mental, social, community

and economic wellbeing. For example, we have previously run Mind Mental Health First Aid training for staff, offered financial briefings to support economic wellbeing

and we also provide a comprehensive stress management toolkit for our employees. In addition, all employees have access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a

confidential telephone helpline through which you can receive advice across a whole range of themes.

Each year, we hold a Week of Wellbeing during which we offer fun and informative activities which promote wellbeing. In the past we have provided free health checks, healthy eating options and giveaways for a range of leisure activities which support social wellbeing. We are always keen to hear suggestions for improving wellbeing;

if you have any ideas, please get in touch.”

Colin Davison, Director of Property

Coaching and Mentoring

“We are extremely lucky at Freebridge to have around forty trained coaches in the organisation.

If you haven’t come across coaching before, it is an approach that supports individuals to find their own solutions. How it works is the coach asks questions which allow the person being coached to find their own answers. It is a very effective way to help people to develop within the work environment. At Freebridge, you can access coaching sessions with any of our coaches who are based at all levels within the organisation. The best way to understand how helpful coaching can be is by experiencing it; if you would like to have a coaching ‘taster’ session, please speak to your manager or a member of the HR team.

Mentoring is another way in which staff can be supported in their development. A mentor is someone who is usually more senior and experienced to the individual being mentored. The mentor and mentee meet and the mentee raises the subjects and issues they would like to discuss, and the mentor offers advice and guidance. Again, if you would be interested in receiving mentoring, please speak to your manager or a member of the HR team.”

Sean Kent, Deputy Chief Executive

Colin Davison, Director of Property

Karen Brundle, Scheduling Supervisor

Michelle Gant, Director of Engagement

Sean Kent, Deputy Chief Executive

“We know that by listening to staff, we can make Freebridge an even better place to work.”

“We are keen to reward and recognise our

employees and we do so in a number of ways.”

“We have a wellbeing action plan which includes activities to support employees’ career, physical, mental, social, community and economic wellbeing.”

“At Freebridge, you can access coaching

sessions with any of our coaches who are based at all levels within the

organisation.”