In healthcare and supported housing services, the wellbeing of those we support is intrinsically connected to the wellbeing of those providing that support. We're deeply honoured to share that Apax has been recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces in the Healthcare Sector by Great Place to Work UK.
This recognition highlights something we've worked thoughtfully to cultivate – a culture rooted in unity, kindness, excellence and service. It reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, compassionate and inclusive working environment where our people feel genuinely supported, respected and empowered to deliver their very best.
The healthcare sector presents unique challenges. Those who work in supported housing and mental health services witness vulnerability, navigate complex situations and carry the emotional weight of supporting individuals through difficult journeys. Creating a workplace culture that acknowledges these realities whilst fostering resilience, hope and professional growth requires intention and care.
Our recognition by Great Place to Work UK affirms that we're building something meaningful – an environment where professionalism and compassion aren't opposing forces but complementary values. Where individuals can bring both their expertise and their humanity to work. Where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning rather than failures to be punished.
The values that guide us – unity, kindness, excellence and service – aren't abstract ideals but practical touchstones for daily decisions. They shape how we respond when things don't go as planned, how we celebrate when they do, and how we support one another through the inevitable challenges that arise in our line of work.
This recognition represents more than an organisational accolade – it reflects the everyday experiences of our teams and the trust, collaboration and shared responsibility that underpin our work across healthcare and supported housing services. It's about what our people feel, not just what we aspire to be.
Great Place to Work certification is grounded in employee feedback. It measures the quality of relationships, the sense of fairness within the organisation, and whether individuals feel their work has genuine meaning. These aren't metrics that can be manufactured or polished for external presentation – they emerge from authentic workplace experiences over time.
Being recognised specifically within the healthcare sector holds particular significance. Healthcare work demands not only technical competence but emotional intelligence, patience and the ability to maintain hope even in challenging circumstances. Creating an environment where people can sustain this level of care without burning out requires thoughtful support structures and a culture that genuinely values wellbeing.
This achievement acknowledges that we're creating conditions where our people can deliver compassionate, high-quality support whilst also attending to their own needs for rest, reflection and professional development. It's recognition that caring for our team members isn't separate from caring for residents – it's foundational to it.
Certification from Great Place to Work represents the gold standard for recognising outstanding workplace experiences. It's earned through rigorous assessment and reflects what employees genuinely experience rather than organisational aspirations or carefully crafted public statements.
The assessment examines trust between employees and leadership, pride in one's work, and the quality of workplace relationships. In healthcare settings, where the stakes are high and the work emotionally demanding, these elements become even more critical. Trust allows for honest conversations about challenges. Pride sustains motivation through difficult periods. Strong relationships provide the support network that makes demanding work sustainable.
Excellence in healthcare isn't just about clinical outcomes or operational efficiency – though both matter greatly. It's about creating systems and cultures that enable people to bring their best selves to work consistently, even when circumstances are challenging. It's about fostering environments where learning from mistakes is valued over assigning blame, where asking for help is seen as wisdom rather than weakness.
This recognition affirms that the everyday experiences of our teams – the moments of collaboration, the willingness to support one another, the shared determination to make a genuine difference – add up to something significant. It validates that the attention we give to workplace culture isn't a distraction from our mission but essential to fulfilling it.
At Apax, we understand that supporting vulnerable adults through their journeys towards greater independence and wellbeing requires more than policies and procedures. It requires people who genuinely care, who can hold hope when residents struggle to find it themselves, and who can maintain compassion even when progress feels slow or uncertain.
The professionalism, kindness and dedication that our teams bring to their roles each day doesn't emerge from nowhere. It grows in soil that's been carefully tended – through thoughtful recruitment, ongoing training and development, psychological safety to acknowledge when things are difficult, and recognition that caring for others requires first caring for oneself.
Our people work at the intersection of healthcare and housing, supporting individuals who often face multiple, overlapping challenges. Mental health struggles, histories of homelessness, social exclusion – these aren't simple issues with straightforward solutions. They require patience, creativity, resilience and a genuine belief in people's capacity for growth and change.
Creating a workplace where individuals can sustain this level of commitment over time means acknowledging the emotional labour involved, providing spaces for reflection and mutual support, and celebrating small victories alongside major milestones. This recognition affirms that we're creating such an environment, whilst reminding us that maintaining it requires ongoing attention and care.
This achievement belongs to every person who contributes to making Apax what it is. From those providing direct support to residents, to those managing operations, maintaining facilities, or supporting administrative functions – everyone plays a vital role in creating the culture that's been recognised.
Whilst we're grateful for this recognition, we remain mindful that building and maintaining a great workplace culture is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. There's always more to learn, new challenges to navigate, and opportunities to improve how we support both our people and those we serve.
We extend our sincere thanks to Great Place to Work UK for this recognition, which serves as both validation of progress made and encouragement to continue growing. More importantly, we're grateful to our teams whose commitment, compassion and professionalism make a genuine difference in people's lives every single day.
To learn more about Great Place to Work and their healthcare sector certification, visit their website at greatplacetowork.co.uk.
As we move forward, we carry with us the values that guide our work, the lessons we continue to learn, and the shared commitment to creating an environment where people can thrive whilst making a meaningful contribution to the lives of vulnerable adults. This recognition isn't an ending but rather encouragement to keep striving, learning and growing together.
