Pendleside Hospice proud to be Burnley’s Employer of the Year

Longstanding Viva client Pendleside Hospice took home the Employer of the Year award at the Burnley Business Awards 2022, and chief executive Helen McVey heaped praise on her staff.

Helen said: “I am so amazingly proud of all of the team at Pendleside to win this award.”

The team from Pendleside Hospice with chief executive, Helen McVey (centre)

Pendleside pipped the three other finalists Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort, Birchall Foodservice and VEKA to win the title.

The awards, held in the grounds of Towneley Hall, were organised by Burnley Council to reward and celebrate the entrepreneurship and achievements of local businesses.

The judges said Employer of the Year was ‘a tough category to judge’ and that all the finalists should be proud.

They added: “The panel was impressed by Pendleside Hospice’s detail to positive leadership, with an ethical culture apparent. This remained firm, even during a very difficult two years.”

The award recognised organisations that created a stimulating and supportive work environment and a real commitment to the welfare of its employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce.

Judges looked for:

• Positive leadership and management
• An integrated ethical culture across the company
• A clear human resources policy that creates a stimulating and supportive workplace
• How employees are engaged with company values and strategic goals

All the finalists were able to demonstrate they were a youth-friendly employer, whether through KickStart placements, apprentices, work experience and supporting young people’s transition into the workplace.

Helen said: “Our five-year strategy centres around the Five Pillars of Pendleside, one of which is that our people identify Pendleside as a good place to work or volunteer and we are the health care organisation of choice to work or volunteer for.

“Our objectives are that the leadership is capable of providing consistent, competent and effective decision making and management , and that we develop a people strategy which enables the organisation’s mission, vision, values and goals to be achieved.

“Also, we endeavour to develop a resilient workforce where the health and wellbeing of those who work and volunteer at Pendleside is recognised as paramount and we ensure our people have the correct skills, knowledge, competencies and aptitude to be able to carry out their role effectively.

“And, importantly, our people are representative of the community in which we serve.”