People

The staff and volunteers at Ormiston Families are the driving force behind the charity’s success. Their dedication, adaptability, collaborative spirit and alignment to the organisation’s values have been central to delivering high-quality services and achieving strategic goals, supported by the leadership of the Chair and Board of Trustees.

Staff wellbeing remains a key priority. Over the past year, Ormiston Families introduced a range of initiatives, including the training of eight Mental Health First Aiders, access to unlimited counselling through its Employee Assistance Programme, and individual support sessions with an independent practitioner. These efforts were reflected in the annual staff survey, which showed significant improvement across multiple areas and strong performance against charity sector benchmarks.

Learning and development also continues to be a major focus. Staff completed over 2,200 hours of continuous professional development through more than 60 eLearning courses. Twenty-eight managers participated in the Skilled Managers Programme, while 81 staff members received Emergency First Aid training. Safeguarding remains central to delivery, supported through the DICES framework alongside training in areas such as autism awareness, safer recruitment, and new operational systems.

Volunteers remain an integral part of Ormiston Families, contributing a wide range of skills and unwavering commitment. The organisation has been reaccredited with the prestigious Investors in Volunteers status, recognising its continued commitment to creating a positive and supportive volunteering environment. There remains significant opportunity to further develop and expand this vital community across all service areas.

Together, these efforts demonstrate Ormiston Families’ deep commitment to fostering a resilient, well-supported workforce, equipped to deliver meaningful and lasting impact across the East of England.