A national health and wellbeing charity is celebrating after being included in the prestigious ‘100 Best Companies to Work For' for the seventh year running.

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, based in West Bromwich, featured at number 82 on the list for Best 100 Small Companies to work for nationally. It also came in at number 87 for Best 100 Companies to work for in the Midlands and number 26 for Best 30 Charities to work for nationally. Chief executive, Monica Shafaq said:

"We've got an amazing team of staff and that makes all the difference. Everybody is very committed to their jobs and ensuring our services are of the highest quality and accessible for all."

Established in 1973, the charity, which supports 7,200 people nationally each year, runs a wide range of services for those experiencing mental health difficulties and works in the community offering support to people to improve their own sense of wellbeing. It also provides counselling for young people and adults,mental health training, and runs a residential care home and supported house.

The ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ list is compiled by The Sunday Times following an independent survey. More than one million employees are surveyed each year from across the UK and give feedback back on topics ranging from personal growth, leadership to management and wellbeing.

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, which has a team of 65, offers its staff flexible working hours and arrangements. Each week its employees are given a ‘wellbeing hour’ which they can dedicate to an activity that fits one of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ which are be active, take notice, connect, keep learning and give. Ms Shafaq added:

"As a mental health and wellbeing charity, we recognise the importance of encouraging our staff to maintain their wellbeing. We want them to be happy so that we can continue to provide the highest quality services to those who need them. As a result, a happy work environment is a must.

"At KPG we understand that many people find flexible working arrangements beneficial to their productivity and we recognise that our employees have other priorities outside of work like families, hobbies and various commitments.

"We want to ensure that we not only take care of our service users but that we look after our staff also.”