In these tough times London & Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q) is proving a godsend for people who are struggling to afford a house. The London-based charity provides social housing throughout the capital and the southeast for people who are unable to buy on the open market.

The organisation builds new homes, improves existing ones, takes care of maintenance, deals with antisocial behaviour and helps people who want to move home.

The 1,066-strong workforce says L&Q makes a positive difference to the world, giving a top 20 positive score of 78%. The organisation has climbed 12 places in our Best Companies list since last year, now ranking 22nd.

Staff find their work stimulating (75%), and a focus on personal growth helps them to stay motivated and progress. Every year £1,100 is spent on the development of every employee. This figure is about three times the national average in this sector. A score of 73% ranks L&Q 13th when employees are asked if they think the training they receive is of great benefit.

L&Q’s graduate development programme invests in new joiners from day one, and was recently recognised with a national training award. There is also the chance to get a taste of more senior roles before promotion, by acting as a deputy or shadowing someone in the position.

There are plenty of opportunities for staff to learn and grow within the organisation (67%) and they feel they can really make a difference at work (76%).

People say managers help them fulfil their potential (71%) and they are not bored with the work they do (78%, ranking the charity 11th).

Training includes on-the-job learning, internal courses and external programmes that offer the opportunity to take professional qualifications with institutions including the London School of Economics.

The L&Q leadership academy is a new programme the charity is running in partnership with Cranfield University. About 300 managers will attend training to develop their leadership skills, discuss mentoring, and explore how to get the best out of others. Staff say managers talk openly to them (78%), express their appreciation for doing a good job (74%) and share important information (74%).

A top 20 score of 67% shows staff think they are paid fairly compared to people in similar positions in other housing associations and are happy with the pay and benefits they receive (70%). While 36% of staff earn less than £25,000, they feel they are paid fairly for the responsibilities they have in their job (66%, ranking the organisation 16th).

After five years’ service, people can spend £250 on personal development that isn’t related to work. Staff have taken this opportunity to study philosophy, wine appreciation, photography and reflexology.

Managers have 31 days’ holiday a year, and team members have 26. Those who don’t take a sick day all year earn an extra day of holiday and employees can sell up to five days’ entitlement.

The charity offers a generous pension scheme where an employee’s 6% contribution is topped up by 12% from L&Q.

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