Apax Certified as a Great Place to Work 2025 | Great Place to Work UK

Why trust and listening matter so much in workplaces where people support others

In September 2025, Great Place to Work UK published its Best Workplaces Autumn 2025 Sector Edition, and Apax, a supported housing social enterprise in Sydenham, South East London, was featured twice. Apax appears on page 9 among the Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-for-profit, and on page 11 among the Best Workplaces in Healthcare.

Being included is a moment of real gratitude for the whole team. It also prompts a wider reflection on what makes a workplace good for people whose daily work is supporting others. It is a chance to say thank you, and to keep listening.

Two Lists, One Team

Appearing in both the charity and not-for-profit list and the healthcare list says something about supported housing. The work sits between sectors, combining a social mission with a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing.

The lists are produced by Great Place to Work, which describes itself as the global authority on workplace culture. Its sector edition brings together organisations of many sizes and kinds from across the UK.

For a values-driven social enterprise, being named alongside so many respected organisations is both humbling and encouraging. It is a reminder that culture matters in every kind of workplace. There is always more to learn from others, too.

Why Workplaces Matter in Support Work

People who support others give a great deal of themselves. They listen, reassure and stay steady when others are struggling, often in moments that are emotionally demanding. That generosity deserves to be met with the same in return.

To do that well over time, they need a workplace that offers the same things in return: respect, encouragement and room to recover after a difficult day. Support for staff and support for residents are closely connected. A workplace that understands this tends to feel calmer for everyone.

When staff feel valued, residents often feel it too. A settled, well supported team is better placed to build the patient, trusting relationships that help people move forward with their lives.

Trust as a Foundation

Trust grows slowly. It comes from keeping promises, being open about decisions and giving people the freedom to use their judgement in situations no handbook could ever fully predict. It cannot be ordered into existence, only earned through consistent behaviour.

In supported housing, where every day brings something different, colleagues need to know they will be backed when they make a reasonable call. That confidence helps them respond calmly and kindly. Without that backing, people may hesitate when a quick and kind response is needed.

Trust also flows in both directions. Leaders who trust their teams tend to be trusted in return, and that shared confidence makes it easier to work through challenges together.

The Power of Listening

Listening is perhaps the simplest way to show people they matter. Asking for views, taking them seriously and explaining what happens next all help colleagues feel part of something shared. It costs little, yet it can change how people feel about their work.

Frontline staff often notice things first, from a small change in a resident's mood to a process that could work better. Making room for those observations improves both the workplace and the support it offers.

Good listening is not a single survey or meeting. It is a habit, practised in everyday conversations, supervision sessions and team catch-ups, and it grows stronger the more it is used.

Culture Lived Every Day

Workplace culture is not built by statements alone but by the way people treat each other on ordinary days. Kindness, fairness and a willingness to learn show up in small, repeated choices. They are the true expression of what an organisation believes.

Recognition like this belongs to everyone who contributes to that culture. You can read more about Apax's Great Place to Work recognition and values-driven culture in our Awards section.

Values matter most when they are lived rather than displayed. Colleagues notice the difference quickly, and so do the people they support. Living them consistently is harder than writing them down, and far more valuable.

Learning From Others

The sector edition features organisations from many different fields, each with its own way of looking after its people. There is a great deal to learn from how others build trust and keep teams connected. Every list of this kind is also a library of good ideas.

Seeing Apax named among them is a reminder that good workplace practice is shared across sectors. Ideas from very different organisations can inspire something useful much closer to home.

No workplace is ever finished. Each year brings new colleagues, new pressures and new chances to improve, and staying open to learning is part of what keeps a culture healthy.

With Thanks

Apax is grateful to Great Place to Work UK for including the organisation, and above all to every member of the team whose kindness and commitment shape the workplace every day.

The real measure of a good workplace is how people feel when they arrive each morning, and how well they are able to support others as a result. That will always be the focus. Recognition is welcome, but the daily experience of the team matters most.

You can read the full publication in Great Place to Work UK: Best Workplaces Autumn 2025 Sector Edition.