Anchor has been awarded Gold Status in the 2023 Inclusive Employers Standard – the first housing and care provider to achieve the accolade.
The recognition for England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life follows the Bronze award status Anchor achieved in 2020 and the Silver Award status it achieved in 2021.
Anchor is a member of Inclusive Employers, which provides expert advice and support to workplaces committed to inclusion, accrediting those meeting the Inclusive Employers Standard. Its Gold Status recognises the work Anchor does with residents and workers to ensure inclusion forms part of the provider’s everyday approach – creating a workplace where all colleagues can thrive.
Anchor chief executive Sarah Jones said: “While we know there’s always more we can do, we’re absolutely delighted to have achieved Gold accreditation from Inclusive Employers, recognising us as among the best employers in the UK when it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion.
“For us to have done this only 18 months since we achieved Silver is a mark of the hard work and firm commitment of so many across the organisation to inclusion in the workplace.”
Teagan Robinson-Bell, equality, diversity, and inclusion manager, said: “It’s incredible to work for an organisation that not only cares about its colleagues and residents but shows a willingness to improve and embed a culture of inclusion. I am thrilled to see Anchor’s progress to Gold after being awarded Silver 18-months ago. It really demonstrates the organisation’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“We’re the first provider of care and housing to be awarded Gold and I’ve really enjoyed watching our colleagues drive our diversity and inclusion agenda within their teams too. We’re dedicated to being a truly diverse and inclusive organisation, and this award recognises that commitment.”
Inclusive Employers MD Claire Williams added: “Huge congratulations to the team at Anchor having received a Gold in their Inclusive Employer Standard assessment 2023. The organisation has demonstrated significant work and huge commitment to inclusion over a number of years, starting by completing the Foundation Inclusive Employers Standard 2019, and then the full assessment on three further occasions, moving through Bronze and Silver and now achieving Gold.
“As only the third organisation to ever achieve Gold, and the first in the care and housing sector, this is a massive achievement and a fantastic example of inclusion return on investment – Anchor is a real role model for other employers with big inclusion ambition. Well done!”
