Thanks to the success of the 2023 Best Employers’ employee engagement programme, we’re really pleased to announce that we’ve raised over £16,000 for East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). That’s the highest total since we started in 2012.

What’s Best Employers?

The go-to programme when it comes to understanding the employee experience. It’s based around an employee engagement survey – but that’s just the beginning. Since it started, Best Employers has built a community of forward-thinking organisations that believe success can only be achieved through their people. One that’s empowering leaders to transform their workplace cultures and environments.

The 2023 programme has helped over 100 organisations develop their culture and engagement. Because Best Employers is a not-for-profit programme, 15 charities were also able to take part in it for free. It also included two thought-provoking leadership events where local high-profile CEOs shared their experience and insights.

Why EAAA?

EAAA have taken part in Best Employers for several years now, using their survey results to transform their people and culture. They’re a great example of an organisation that’s putting employee engagement at the heart of their business. They also carry out vital, life-saving work across the eastern region. So it seemed the natural next step to make them our charity partner.

Lynn Walters, Executive Director at Pure, had this to say about the partnership: ‘We first started working with East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2016, and it was clear from the outset that employee engagement is so important to the organisation. Through the Best Employers programme, we felt a particular connection with the charity and the impact it has across the region. Therefore it felt like a natural fit to support them through our most recent charity partnership.’

You can find out more about EAAA and the 24/7 emergency medical service they provide on their website.

It’s win, win, win

Over 30 organisations received Best Employers’ accreditations that’ll help them attract and keep talented people in the future. This, combined with the fact that the programme is helping the local business community put engagement at its core, means the £16,000 we raised for charity is really the icing on the Best Employers’ cake (as is the fun the team at Pure and eras, and our sponsors Birkett, had making it happen).

The money came from organisations taking part in the programme, ticket sales from the launch and awards conferences, and a charity raffle on the day of the awards. We also worked with EAAA to set up a ‘Clear the clutter’ clothing drop at our launch conference, where people could drop off old clothing, shoes, handbags, belts and the like. For every tonne of clothing recycled, EAAA will receive at least £200.

Sarah said: ‘We’re so grateful for Best Employers’ support and fundraising for EAAA’s 24/7 lifesaving service. It’s been incredible to be part of the programme and see the effort, thought, care and support for participants on the subject of staff engagement.’

As well as raising money, Best Employers also helped EAAA raise awareness about their work in the east of England business community. Sarah Atkins, Director of People and Culture at EAAA, and CEO Matthew Jones spoke at our launch event about what they do, and how Best Employers is transforming the way they treat their workforce.

Could you be the next Best Employer?

Best Employers will take place again in 2025. Go to the website to find out more and let us know you’re interested in being part of it.