We're One of the Best!

Our Building Futures project has won national recognition for the quality of its work.

The project, which helps get unemployed people back into work, has gained accreditation to the matrix Standard; the unique quality standard for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services.

Project Manager Sharron Hawe said: “We decided to apply for matrix Standard external accreditation because we wanted to be sure that our clients were receiving the best information, advice and guidance possible.

“Achieving the standard proves that Building Futures is providing a high quality service; that our information and guidance practices and procedures are working effectively and that learning and development are our priorities.

“I am very proud of my team, who have worked tirelessly to achieve this and without their support and dedication this would not have happened.

“Our assessor said he was very impressed with the management style in Building Futures and described it as ‘open and honest with excellent communication; a safe environment to work in. He found that our clients had a very good understanding about the Trust, Building Futures and the advice and guidance they were given. He even told me that Building Futures received a standing ovation after he interviewed 20 clients that were on an ‘Introduction to Volunteering’ course at the time.

“He was also impressed with the Trust’s vision and the transformation to the organisation since 2004. He said he could not believe that such a place as Thamesmead existed and I explained that Thamesmead was hailed as a utopia when it was first created and that people had felt very let down as time went on. He said that Trust Thamesmead was ‘like the pin that holds Thamesmead together and was trying to make that utopia happen for all those people’.

Trust Thamesmead’ Chief Executive Mick Hayes said: “I am very proud of the commitment that the Building Futures team has shown in achieving the matrix Standard over the last 12 months. The matrix Standard quality mark will continue to assure our partners and our Building Futures clients of our total commitment to delivering a high quality information and guidance service to Thamesmead residents.”

David Allan, Managing Director at emqc Ltd, the company charged with maintaining and promoting the standard, said of Building Futures achievement: “This matrix Accreditation is another example of how the matrix Standard is proving effective for all types of organisations, helping them to provide a more professional service offering and to strive to be the best in their sector.”