Julia's House named UK's Best Charity to Work For by Best Companies

Wiltshire’s children’s hospice Julia’s House has been named the UK’s Best Charity to Work For in the prestigious Best Companies Awards 2023.

The Devizes-based charity, which provides outstanding care for families of the most seriously ill children across Wiltshire and Dorset, was praised for its ‘compassion, care, and excellence’ and for ‘supporting staff to be the best they can be in an emotionally demanding but immensely rewarding environment.’

Julia’s House also achieved a ranking of 14th in the best national Companies to Work For category at the London ceremony this month, and received a special award for being in the Top 100 for the last 15 years.

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Julia’s House CEO Martin Edwards said: “Julia's House recognises that healthcare staff come under huge pressures, and there is a national shortage of nurses and carers.

"It is therefore vital to look after our staff to an exceptional standard, and to be one of the best employers in the country. This directly affects the quality of care that the children and their families receive.”

“While the Best Companies award is a great acknowledgement of all that we do here to make Julia's House a world class place to work, we're not complacent. We will continue to listen to and learn from our staff, adapt and evolve our work environment and share new and innovative ways of growing and supporting everyone.

“We're only one of the best places to work because we have the best people.”

Julia’s House children’s hospice employs 250 people across Wiltshire and Dorset. The charity provides specialist care that’s individualised for each family and includes care for the seriously ill child, wider sibling and family support, emergency and end of life care.

"Parents can choose when, where and how they receive this vital support – at home, in the community or at one of the charity’s two hospices in Devizes and Corfe Mullen – making it a truly flexible service.

As a charity, Julia’s House relies almost entirely on donations to fund its lifeline of care for local families, receiving just eight per cent ongoing government funding.

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Best Companies CEO and founder Jonathan Austin said, “Our Best Companies to Work for lists recognise and celebrate all of the organisations who are helping to make the world a better workplace.

“The lists represent the commitment that these organisations show every day to their employees and how they have put investing in their people strategies at the forefront of their company culture.

“To make the Best Companies List is a remarkable accomplishment and Julia’s House children’s hospice should be proud of all that they have achieved this year.”