We did it! Prestigious Platinum Investors in People Accreditation

YMCA Black Country Group (YMCA BC) is celebrating a landmark achievement after being awarded Platinum accreditation by Investors in People (IIP), the highest level of recognition available for organisations that demonstrate excellence in leading, supporting and developing their people.

Achieved by only around 7% of Investors in People accredited organisations, Platinum status places YMCA Black Country Group amongst an elite group of employers recognised for creating exceptional workplace cultures and investing in their people.

The accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment process, including detailed staff surveys and interviews with employees from across the charity. The review examined workplace culture, leadership, employee engagement, wellbeing, personal development opportunities and how YMCA BC’s values are embedded throughout the organisation. Investors in People praised the organisation’s commitment to its people, recognising a culture where employees feel supported, valued and empowered to make a difference.

Following employee surveys and interviews, Investors in People assessors commented that YMCA BC are led by a well-respected and trusted team, who are regularly visible and have a clear direction of where the charity is headed. Employees have a strong ownership of YMCA values; hope, inspire, compassion and trust, as they have credence in how they wish to treat other people. Staff also felt trusted to make decisions, take on greater responsibilities and felt that YMCA enables plenty of opportunity for growth and development within their role. Importantly, employees feel proud and encouraged by the impact they are having in the local community, with many going above and beyond to promote YMCA’s work and fundraise to support specific causes the charity are focussed on.

Steve Bavington, Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Black Country Group, praised both the organisation’s staff and Blantina Chipangura, Executive Head of HR and Ethos’ leadership throughout the accreditation journey. He said: “Achieving Platinum accreditation is a phenomenal accomplishment and reflects the outstanding culture that exists across YMCA Black Country Group. While this accreditation belongs to the whole YMCA BC team, special recognition must be given to Blantina, whose vision, leadership and determination have guided us on this journey for more than a decade.”

The achievement marks the culmination of a remarkable 10 year journey led by Blantina, who has been the driving force behind YMCA Black Country Group’s continuous progression through the Investors in People framework. Since joining the organisation, Blantina has successfully guided YMCA BC through every level of accreditation, taking the charity from Bronze to Silver, Gold and now Platinum status. Throughout that journey, she has championed a people-first approach, embedding the YMCA’s values into everyday practice and helping to create an environment where staff can thrive and deliver their very best for the communities they serve.

Blantina said: “Achieving the Investors in People Platinum accreditation is an incredible accomplishment for YMCA Black Country Group and one that our whole staff team should be immensely proud of. This award represents years of dedication, collaboration and continuous improvement of our standards and services to the community. We’ve worked hard to build a culture where people feel supported, trusted and inspired to develop both personally and professionally. To have led our Investors in People journey from Bronze all the way to Platinum over the past 10 years is something I am incredibly honoured to have achieved.”

Investors in People is an internationally recognised framework that helps organisations improve performance by supporting, developing and engaging their people. Having worked with more than 50,000 organisations worldwide, Investors in People Platinum represents the highest standard of accreditation and is reserved for organisations that demonstrate exceptional performance in people management, leadership and workplace culture.

YMCA Black Country Group now joins a select group of organisations holding Platinum status, cementing its reputation as one of the region’s leading employers and reaffirming its commitment to investing in the people who make its mission possible.

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