Bridge of Hope is proud to announce that we have been named among the top 56 in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™.

The Best Workplaces for Wellbeing list focuses on employees’ holistic experiences of wellbeing at work, including their work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, social support, job satisfaction, and financial security, to reveal the best workplaces for wellbeing in the UK.

Our inclusion on this exclusive list officially acknowledges our commitment to create a consistently and overwhelmingly positive employee experience, to foster cultures that are proven to drive business, improve lives, and better society.

To compile the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing List, Great Place To Work® reviewed our culture, benefits, approach to leadership and development, alongside anonymous responses from our employees. They then used these data insights to benchmark our company's employee value proposition against the culture our employees actually experience. Only the businesses who achieve the highest scores after evaluation receive Best Workplaces™ status.

From our anonymous employee feedback, we can see that overall our team highly commends our dedication to improve and grow our internal culture across our business.

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK says: "A thriving workplace culture is rooted in trust, pride, camaraderie, and a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing. As we mark the fourth year of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing™ list, we’re proud to celebrate organisations that go above and beyond to support their people’s mental, physical, financial, and social health. When employees feel truly valued and supported, they’re not only healthier – they’re also more energised, motivated and aligned with their organisation’s goals. Congratulations to Bridge of Hope on earning a well-deserved place on this prestigious list!"

This award is our second from Great Place To Work over the past 12 months as we also featured in the UK's Best Workplaces for Development™ 2025 list!

We’re so proud of this achievement and look forward to using the valuable insights Great Place To Work has provided us with to build on our culture and employee satisfaction.

About Cohesion

Cohesion are Social Care & Early Careers Specialists improving recruitment & retention for our clients.

In Social Care, for more than 20 years, we’ve added value with outsourced recruitment and campaign recruitment solutions, applying our recruitment expertise, ideas and best practice. And we continue to do so –through innovation, passion and recruitment excellence. This approach delivers a range of high-quality recruitment strategies, solutions and alternatives to traditional agency use. We build and manage complete recruitment solutions delivering every part of the process, from candidate engagement to employee onboarding and retention. We believe that this is the only way to truly reach, engage and retain great people.

In Early Careers, for over 30 years, we have developed an enviable reputation based on our market knowledge, operational best practice and thought leadership. Every year we screen thousands of applicants for graduate, apprentice and intern roles, across multiple industries and markets. We pride ourselves on hiring the right person for the role and keeping the candidate at the centre of the process.

Our Commitment to EDI

At Cohesion, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and success – both within our own organisation, and the clients we work with. Our approach to EDI in recruitment ensures that hiring practices are fair, inclusive, and accessible to all candidates.

We actively work to remove biases from the hiring process by supporting with inclusive practices throughout the process. From testing, through video interviews to assessments centres, it is important that we are giving all candidates their best chance of succeeding. We have chosen to partner with Bridge of Hope as we fundamentally believe in supporting under represented talent, using data-driven insights to improve equity in hiring.

Beyond recruitment, we strive to support clients build inclusive workplaces. Our goal is to connect organisations with a diverse talent pool, fostering workplaces where everyone can thrive.

We pride ourselves on involvement with initiatives that make a difference to the communities around us – particularly where it creates better work opportunities to those at risk of slipping through the net. One example is our partnership with a local social enterprise organisation, Miss Macaroon. Here we deliver employability workshops for their Macs MAD programme which aims to support underrepresented individuals aged 18 – 35 into work.

By championing EDI, we help organisations to attract top talent and create lasting, positive change in the workforce.

SERT is not just a recruitment and training provider. We are a driving force behind success in the energy, utilities and FM sectors. We connect businesses with skilled professionals and empower individuals with expertise that lasts. By combining deep industry knowledge with a personal touch, we do not just help companies grow. We build careers and create opportunities that stand the test of time.

SERT is proud to be part of the Simple Energy Matters(SEM) group, a collective of forward-thinking businesses dedicated to agreener, smarter future. As part of this wider network, we are connected to anumber of sister companies delivering innovative services across sustainableenergy solutions, recruitment, green skills training, utility brokerage,marketing and facilities management. This group-wide capability allows us tooffer future-ready solutions that support both individuals and businesses inachieving long-term success.

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Recruitment That Delivers Results‍

Talent is everything, and finding the right people is what we do best. We cut through the noise, sourcing professionals who make a real impact. Whether you need permanent hires, temporary placements or expert project teams, we deliver results that matter.

Specialising in utilities, FM and energy, we provide workforce solutions that drive progress. From gas, water and smart metering to hard FM and retrofit, we have got you covered. Our extensive network and market insight enable us to match companies with individuals from all backgrounds, bringing expertise, ambition and fresh thinking to every role.

Training That Transforms‍

Training with SERT is about more than gaining qualifications. It is about transforming careers. Our industry-recognised programmes give individuals the skills they need to succeed. Through our partnership with the Retrofit Academy, we are shaping the future with cutting-edge expertise in sustainable building practices.

Our courses range from short programmes and advanced diplomas to full apprenticeships, offering flexible, career-enhancing opportunities. Whether you are starting out, switching careers or looking to progress, our practical, high-impact training delivers real results.

Breaking Barriers, Empowering Talent‍

Opportunity should be open to everyone. We are committed to creating equal access to career-enhancing opportunities, breaking down barriers in recruitment and training. Our inclusive approach ensures people from all backgrounds can thrive.

By promoting diversity and fostering environments where individuals can be their best, we help businesses build stronger, more innovative teams. Working with SERT means investing in potential and driving meaningful growth.

Leading the Way in Sustainability‍

The energy sector is evolving fast, and we are leading the charge. Helping to close the green skills gap, we deliver hands-on training in solar, heat pumps, EV charging and retrofit solutions. These are the skills businesses need to meet sustainability targets and succeed in a low-carbon economy.

Equipping individuals with expertise in sustainable technologies not only helps people build future-proof careers but also empowers organisations to achieve their environmental goals.

Why SERT?‍

We are more than a recruitment agency or training provider. We are a partner in your success. Whether you need skilled talent, future-ready training or long-term workforce development, SERT delivers.

By connecting businesses with the people and skills they need to grow, we help individuals build rewarding, lasting careers. Together, we are shaping the future of energy, one hire, one skill and one success story at a time.

Bridge of Hope is proud to announce that we have been named 53rd in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development™, as part of the nGAGE Talent Group

New for this year, the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development List recognises companies making employee development a key part of company culture. These workplaces offer employees the chance to better themselves, to learn new skills, and to progress within the organisation. They understand that development is not one-size fits all, and they actively support every single employee to undertake their own tailored journey of growth. Because of this, their people are fuelled by a sense of purpose, feel valued by their employer, and give their best to the organisation.

To compile the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development List, Great Place to Work® reviewed our culture, benefits, approach to leadership and development, alongside anonymous responses from our employees. They then used these data insights to benchmark our company's employee value proposition against the culture our employees actual experience. Only the businesses who achieve the highest scores after evaluation receive Best Workplaces™ status.

From our anonymous employee feedback, we can see that overall our team highly commends our dedication to ongoing learning, individual growth, and the culture of knowledge exchange across our business.

“Training and development aren’t just about helping employees perform their day-to-day tasks – it’s about demonstrating that people are valued and that there’s a clear path for growth. When employees can’t see opportunities ahead, they’re less likely to be fully engaged, which can harm both productivity and retention,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work® UK.

“Development is all about looking forward – it shows a commitment to an employee’s long-term potential. It helps individuals feel appreciated and plays a vital role in shaping a strong company culture. Every year, we celebrate organisations that are building exceptional workplace cultures where people and businesses thrive. Learning and development opportunities are a key part of that, which is why we’re especially excited to be unveiling the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development.”

“Congratulations to Bridge of Hope for being part of our 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces for Development List."

We’re so proud of this achievement and look forward to using the valuable insights Great Place To Work has provided us with to build on our culture and employee satisfaction.

We are a leading multidisciplinary contractor delivering innovative engineering and construction solutions across the rail, highways, aviation, ports, defence, energy, water, and environment sectors.

Our core values define our organisation's ethics and guide our decisions, actions and behaviours, which results in best in class delivery, quality and people. Al VolkerWessels UK operating companies share the same philosophy and core values. This common set of values offers clear benefits to all our stakeholders and in turn gives them the confidence to trust in our company and people.

People are the heart of everything we do, and we are constantly looking for ways to invest in and develop our teams and their career paths.

We're a diverse community of thousands of skilled individuals, each bringing their unique talents to the table. Together, we take immense pride in our work, collaborating seamlessly to bring to life projects that impact millions every day.

Part of the Pets Group, which includes Pets at Home and Pets Grooming, Vets for Pets is one of the UK’s largest veterinary groups, with a national network of over 450 locally owned, locally operated practices.
What we do matters, for pet owners across the UK. It’s more than a business, it’s a responsibility. A promise and commitment to provide excellent care for every pet that come through our doors.

And it’s our people who sit at the heart of our business, with their unrivalled expertise and shared passion for pets. Their years of experience and genuine love for animals ensure the best possible care and advice for pet owners.

The opportunities across the Pets group are endless. Whether you join us in our support office or a veterinary practice, clinical or non-clinical, you’ll play a vital role in bringing our purpose and values to life. You’ll be part of a wider team that spans our entire group, united by a deep care for the pets we serve and a shared enjoyment in what we do. While we always put pets and their owners first, we’re equally dedicated to the wellbeing of our employees. We take pride in being an inclusive workplace, welcoming everyone regardless of background or story.

Developing and rewarding our people across the group has always been a priority. We’re investing in pet care expertise in all our roles, creating clinical employment, and development opportunities. Reflecting the diversity of our local communities is extremely important to us. Our Better World Pledge demonstrates this commitment—it’s a promise to become the most responsible pet care business in the world, making a positive difference to the lives of pets, pet owners, colleagues, and communities throughout the UK.

Ringway are responsible for looking after over 27,000 miles of the UK’s roads, mostly in southern England in places like Surrey, Gloucestershire, Plymouth and the Isle of Wight. We take pride in offering a dedicated, flexible approach which supports our clients, underpinned by a locally based workforce and supported by trusted supply-chain partners.

Self-delivery is core to our business model – we believe that employing people to work directly for us creates a resilient, flexible team, trained to our exemplary safety and quality standards, which is therefore more motivated, and delivers better results for our local authority and other partners.

Working together with our clients we deliver routine and reactive maintenance, incident response, severe weather operations, surfacing and specialist treatments with local accountability and people who are proud to deliver services for their local communities.

About us:

Oliver Bonas is an independent British lifestyle store, developing our own take on fashion and homeware. We sell online internationally and from 90+ stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, operating as an omnichannel business across multiple platforms.

As our products have evolved, we have become an authority on design, and we remain inspired by fresh thinking. Our mission is the one thing that’s remained constant throughout: to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism.

Dedicated to design since 1993.

What it’s like to work here‍

Our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to every role at OB. Working here is about more than just a job; it’s somewhere to build a career you can be passionate about. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity and teamwork are our strengths, and we like to create a space in which people can feel comfortable enough to be their best selves.

A playful and optimistic approach creates a motivating environment, and while we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we are serious about what we do. We are always asking questions and striving to do things better. We believe that success comes from standing out, not fitting in, and we value original thinking.

Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility. If this sounds like a culture and environment that you would thrive in, we’d love to meet you.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Oliver Bonas, our promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion. To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included, and can be themselves at work.

Why equity is important

The ‘E’ in our EDI work (formerly equality) now stands for equity. These two words look and sound very similar, however, the implementation of one against the other can lead to a dramatically different outcome for all.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities to reach an equal outcome. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates whatever resources and opportunities each individual needs, personal to them, to reach an equal outcome.

Our equitable approach is illustrated most notably through our transparency statement, but it goes beyond that – from positive action and reasonable adjustment at recruitment stage to ensuring that all our team members are setup for success at every stage of their time with us. Our transparency statement comes from having reflected on where we need further representation and how important it is that we stay engaged with this crucial conversation.

Screwfix has over 900 stores across the UK, Ireland, and France, providing an extensive range of more than 70,000 products. This makes it convenient, straightforward, and affordably priced, helping busy tradespeople complete their jobs quickly, affordably, and correctly the first time. Each store operates uniformly with four key roles: Branch Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Supervisor, and Service Assistant. The essence of Screwfix lies in teamwork, pride in our stores, and having fun while working together.

Our Head Office is located in Yeovil, where we support hybrid and flexible working arrangements to ensure a healthy work/life balance. We believe in celebrating everyone for who they are, fostering a warm, equal, and inclusive culture. Kindness and encouragement are at the heart of our values, making our differences our strength. Regardless of your background or starting point, you'll receive the support you need and opportunities to advance your career when you're ready.

This year, we introduced our new Employee Networks, aimed at creating a fairer, more diverse workplace. These networks, led by Ambassadors for Diversity & Inclusion, Gender, and Neurodiversity, provide a platform for colleagues to share experiences, learn about allyship, and suggest improvements for a better working environment. With the backing of our leadership team, these networks are instrumental in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace

It has been estimated that around 80% of those living in the UK suffer from an invisible disability.

Invisible disabilities are impairments that are not immediately physical visible. Unless an individual voices their own invisible disability, its mostly unknown. This could include your employees, colleagues, volunteers, pupils and service users. People find it difficult to disclose this type of personal information in fear that they’re going to be judged and discriminated against.

It is not a choice but an illness- Mental illnesses

Mental health issues such as: depression, anxiety and bipolar can affect an individual. Those who are living with a mental illness tend to be labelled as ‘miserable,’ ‘attention seeking,’ and/or pessimistic etc. When in matter or fact, mental illnesses affects how one thinks, feels relate to others and make choices. Mental illnesses can stem from a variety of things: biological factors, life experiences, family history, but needless to say, just because someone is from a ‘happier’ lifestyle then yourself, that they can’t be facing one. Mental health issues can grow from many different experiences which leads to Individuals experiencing and dealing with them in different ways.

50% of employees don’t feel like their mental health is a big enough priority for their employers, yet 40% of employees take time off in relation to their mental illness. The Equality Act of 2010 legally covers mental illnesses as they are classed as a disability. If your employee has a mental illness, you have a duty to make reasonable adjustments.

Like with mental illnesses, they affect person to person differently- Learning Disability

A learning disability is when people have difficulties in learning new skills such as reading, writing, spelling or understanding and processing information, communicating and interacting with others. Depending on what type of disability a person has, they may still be able to live by themselves, but a person with more severe disabilities may need round the house care. Learning abilities are not curable and something that will affect a person for their whole life. The number of learning disabilities is constantly rising in the UK, momentarily sitting at around 1.5 million, 350,000 being a severe disability, 2.16% being in adults and 2.5 of children. It is not always obvious when someone suffers from a learning difficulty, if they can still learn, communicate and live their day to day lives. A learning disability occurs when the brain is developing either before birth, during of in early childhood. The cause is not always known but some examples of what causes one are: inherited condition, premature birth, abnormal chromosomes. 870,000 adults of working age (16+) are living with a learning disability.

What an individual lacks, they gain another skill.

How might this affect them in the workplace? Having a learning disability can affect how an individual works/copes in the standard office environment. Just because someone lives with their disability, it shouldn’t change how they are treated in a job. An office job may not be suited for one but will be for another, and should not put employers off the prospect of employing someone. Everything in this day and age comes with a cost, but if the cost benefits you, why not go for it?

Working with Bridge of Hope has highlighted for me the importance of making the necessary changes to make sure all work places are inclusive, while working with some amazing clients who are working with us, slowly making the world a better place.