Bupa Care Homes are rewarding staff with the opportunity to fulfil their
dreams – from swimming with dolphins to voluntary work in South Africa, and
family reunions abroad.
Two one-off recognition schemes, ‘Wishes Come True’, and ‘Holidays of a
Lifetime’, were launched after the company did well last year.
Julia Hurst, Bupa Care Services’ HR director, said the sector is lowly paid,
and this is the company’s way of saying ‘thank you’.
"Our people do a fantastic job, sometimes under difficult
circumstances," she said. "This is the first time we have run these
initiatives, which are designed to reward our people, show them how much we
value what they do, and give the winners an experience of a lifetime. The prize
draw and competition have been very well received."
The 20 holiday prize winners were randomly chosen, with staff having a one
in a 1,000 chance to win a holiday worth £2,500.
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For the ‘Wishes Come True’ competition, care home managers were asked for
their greatest wish, and a panel selected the nine best ideas. These included a
promise to help a school in a South African township, and employee Angela
Fawcett’s wish for professional advice from singing coach Carrie Grant, from
the Fame Academy TV talent show.
Hurst hopes the schemes will make staff feel valued, retain workers and help
to recruit others by word of mouth.
