Here at Progress, our company values extend beyond our staff and the young people we work with. Collectively, we genuinely care about everyone we come into contact with and are passionate about proactively seeking positive experiences with all.
We acknowledge our responsibility to the communities we work within and nurture strong links that enable us to gain valuable feedback and provide responsive services.
We are passionate, not only about the good work that we do but also about supporting other companies that have dedicated themselves to positive change.
In the past, we’ve helped local charities and events such as Magic of Milly, Macmillan Coffee Mornings, and Christmas Jumper day. One of our recent highlights was the team hiking up Snowdon, raising over £400 in memory of a young person we supported that lost his struggle with a life-limiting condition. The money went to the school he attended which will now be able to purchase more specialised equipment that will improve the lives of other young people.
In order to maximise the impact of fundraising, our staff voted for Acorns Children’s Hospice to be our charity of the year and thus, be the primary focus of our efforts. Alongside this is the Progress Fund, enabling us to still commit smaller amounts to other local projects.
From the light bulbs and appliances we use, to the way we recycle our rubbish, we ensure that our actions are environmentally friendly. It’s not just people we care about, but our local environment too. We are passionate about investing in green schemes where we can, growing our own herbs and vegetables, and educating our people on consciously making better lifestyle decisions so that together, we can make our local area a slightly better place.
Our newest development; Stourbridge House is a testament to our belief in using local trades people and businesses to promote a sustainable community. We carry this into our day-to-day operations by enjoying local shops, cafés and clubs with those we support. We deliver our services in a way that removes barriers and allows young people to be integrated into their local communities, accessing universal leisure and social facilities and building strong friendships and circles of support.
Our people are at the forefront of everything we do. From wanting to support the development of our staff for them to be the best they can be, to enabling those in our care to learn the life skills they need for a quality future; their needs are our priority. We couldn’t be prouder of holding gold status with Investors in People for over a decade. If a staff member wants to excel and grow within the business, we’re more than happy to support their training and development to help propel them along their career paths.
Growing up in foster care is not easy for some children. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the carer to create an atmosphere for a child to feel loved. We asked Stephanie to share her experiences of fostering and tell us what it’s like to be in a new home.Read more
The lockdown has been challenging for all of us. With our daily routines changing – and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future – we are now living different lives. We spoke to two young people on their lockdown experiences, how they have coped and their hopes for the…Read more
A supervising social worker supports and guides a foster carer in every aspect of their fostering experience. We spoke to Progress supervising social worker Tendai to get an insight on her role. It is my responsibility to develop a close working relationship with our pool of foster carers. On any…Read more
The Support Worker at Nightingale House, on working in mental health, training, and why team work is important. I used to work for Derby Mental Health Trust as a health care assistant. My job was to support people who had different…Read more
In a new series of interviews we have asked Progress foster carers why they foster care and how fostering changes lives. Helen has been caring for James and Perry with her husband, Henry. This is her story. When you have a child of your own, you realise what a positive…Read more
Safeguarding children and young people means protecting them from any abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We want all foster children and young people to grow up as part of a loving family. It is, therefore, the Progress foster team’s responsibility to give children and young people (and their carers)…Read more
Sybil is an experienced Team Leader at Progress. Having worked closely with staff at Portland house she is well placed to tell us what is needed in becoming a support worker. A Progress support worker gives children and young adults (with complex disabilities) practical and emotional support to live…Read more
The Support Worker at Wellcroft House, on life at Progress, beverages, and why you should give working with young people a try. I always wanted to do something meaningful in life. I’ve had different jobs and owned a café too, but it wasn’t fulfilling. When I saw a job come…Read more
In a new series of interviews we have asked Progress foster carers why they foster care and how fostering changes lives. Jane has been caring for Fariha. This is her story. I have worked with and cared for young people with complex disabilities for over twenty years. I may be…Read more
Laura is one of the Registered Managers at Stourbridge House. Having started her career as a Support Worker, she knows what it takes in getting a foot in the door and developing a career in health and social care. Now responsible for recruiting staff, Laura has shared her words…Read more
In a new series of interviews we will be asking Progress foster carers why they choose to foster and why despite some challenges, fostering can bring a lot of joy. Here’s Joanna’s story. “You don’t help someone to get a pat on the back. My husband and I foster because…Read more
Progress are delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Investors in People, We invest in people, Gold accreditation. Investors in People (IIP) is a standard for people management, offering accreditation to organisations that adhere to its framework of good practice in the workplace. With a community of…Read more