We're proud to be recognised as a Gold employer.
Officially accredited by Investors in People.
What does Investors in People mean for St Petrocs?
For us, the Investors in People accreditation has always been about continual improvement. Since we were first accredited in 2005, we have embraced an unwavering commitment to improving the way we manage, develop, and lead our people. With the encouragement and support of Investors in People, we have been able to take positive steps forward each year.
We are absolutely thrilled to receive this Gold award. Together, we celebrate this amazing recognition in the knowledge that we cannot rest on our laurels – there is still much work to do. Our ambition is to end homelessness in Cornwall, and our journey with Investors in People will undoubtedly play a role in our success.
We are absolutely thrilled to receive this Gold award. Together, we celebrate this amazing recognition in the knowledge that we cannot rest on our laurels – there is still much work to do. Our ambition is to end homelessness in Cornwall, and our journey with Investors in People will undoubtedly play a role in our success.
The year is 2005.
YouTube has just launched, Tony Christie and Peter Kay are about to spend 7 weeks at number one, and after a 16-year hiatus, Dr Who is revived by the BBC.
Meanwhile in Cornwall, St Petrocs – a small charity with a bold ambition to end homelessness within the county – is about to celebrate its 19th year. It has just four properties with 24 available bedspaces and one drop-in service available in Truro, as well as an outreach project and a rent deposit scheme.
These services are delivered by a team of about 30 employees.
In March of that year, we were proudly recognised as an ‘Investor in People’ employer for the first time. As Steve Ellis (Chief Executive) said of the award, “We have a committed staff that delivers a range of services to an extremely vulnerable group of people in difficult and challenging circumstances. It’s through supporting and caring for our staff that we are able to operate effectively. In fact, it’s the high calibre of our staff that has made Investors in People happen for us.”
Operationally, much has changed in the 16 years since.
Meanwhile in Cornwall, St Petrocs – a small charity with a bold ambition to end homelessness within the county – is about to celebrate its 19th year. It has just four properties with 24 available bedspaces and one drop-in service available in Truro, as well as an outreach project and a rent deposit scheme.
These services are delivered by a team of about 30 employees.
In March of that year, we were proudly recognised as an ‘Investor in People’ employer for the first time. As Steve Ellis (Chief Executive) said of the award, “We have a committed staff that delivers a range of services to an extremely vulnerable group of people in difficult and challenging circumstances. It’s through supporting and caring for our staff that we are able to operate effectively. In fact, it’s the high calibre of our staff that has made Investors in People happen for us.”
Operationally, much has changed in the 16 years since.
Soon after receiving our accreditation, we took over the Breadline Centre in Penzance, expanding our drop-in services to cover the West of the county, and in 2007, we began operating an emergency overnight shelter during the coldest months of the year – a life-saving service that has run every winter since.
Today, our accommodation services have grown sixfold – we now have 21 properties with 144 available bedspaces – and this year we introduced our newest service, an EU funded project working to address root causes of homelessness by helping our residents take gainful steps towards employment.
Despite all this change, our commitment to improving the way we manage, develop, and lead our people remains unswerving, and we are truly overjoyed to have received the ‘Gold Award’ this year. This tremendous achievement underscores St Petrocs’ positive working culture, driven by strong core values, a clear purpose, and a motivated, competent, and committed staff group.
Today, our accommodation services have grown sixfold – we now have 21 properties with 144 available bedspaces – and this year we introduced our newest service, an EU funded project working to address root causes of homelessness by helping our residents take gainful steps towards employment.
Despite all this change, our commitment to improving the way we manage, develop, and lead our people remains unswerving, and we are truly overjoyed to have received the ‘Gold Award’ this year. This tremendous achievement underscores St Petrocs’ positive working culture, driven by strong core values, a clear purpose, and a motivated, competent, and committed staff group.
"Whatever happens in the future, people are central."
St Petrocs has been an Investor in People since 2005 and is always a huge pleasure to work with and assess. This year even more so, as the organisation has developed and improved significantly from the last assessment in 2018, despite it being a difficult and tumultuous period during the pandemic, and achieved a Gold level Investors in People Award for the first time!
By focussing on best practice in all areas, the charity has gone from strength to strength. This year St Petrocs felt different as an organisation (in a good way). Whilst the exceptionally positive culture, communication, teamwork and leadership remain and have been enhanced in some aspects, and the organisation continues to grasp opportunities to deliver new services and grow existing facilities to the benefits of its clients (who remain central to everything), there is now much more effective future planning, managed change and innovation with a keen eye on long term sustainability. St Petrocs is now consolidating good practice, playing to its strengths, and thinking ahead with clear and positive plans for the future.
Whatever happens in the future, people are central to the organisation. There is a strong recognition that staff need the very best care and support to, in turn, support the people who are their clients. So, St Petrocs supports all people who work with the organisation in the best possible ways. In return everyone who works for St Petrocs wants to do their best for the organisation, its clients and each other.
This year’s combination of an exceptionally positive culture, inspirational leadership and really good strategies, systems and processes is hard to achieve, but now it is in place will enable the organisation and its people go from strength to strength.
Carolyn Inger
Investors in People Practitioner
By focussing on best practice in all areas, the charity has gone from strength to strength. This year St Petrocs felt different as an organisation (in a good way). Whilst the exceptionally positive culture, communication, teamwork and leadership remain and have been enhanced in some aspects, and the organisation continues to grasp opportunities to deliver new services and grow existing facilities to the benefits of its clients (who remain central to everything), there is now much more effective future planning, managed change and innovation with a keen eye on long term sustainability. St Petrocs is now consolidating good practice, playing to its strengths, and thinking ahead with clear and positive plans for the future.
Whatever happens in the future, people are central to the organisation. There is a strong recognition that staff need the very best care and support to, in turn, support the people who are their clients. So, St Petrocs supports all people who work with the organisation in the best possible ways. In return everyone who works for St Petrocs wants to do their best for the organisation, its clients and each other.
This year’s combination of an exceptionally positive culture, inspirational leadership and really good strategies, systems and processes is hard to achieve, but now it is in place will enable the organisation and its people go from strength to strength.
Carolyn Inger
Investors in People Practitioner
