Cognivate connects in Kent
Fostering connection and building relationships.
Cognivate is an independent interdisciplinary neurorehabilitation service, supporting people in their homes, workplaces, and online after brain injury.
Lydia Storr-Meddings joined to head up operations in October 2023, moving from a COO role at a wellbeing SaaS business. She is responsible for driving organisational vision, operations strategy, and building an inclusive culture that drives productivity.
“We wanted a one-stop solution to eliminate the stress and hassle. Planning an offsite should be an exciting experience, not a source of additional stress.”
The background
Cognivate's core team consists of 10 members, complemented by a larger group of associates, all of whom work within the community and in clients' homes. Therapists rarely have the opportunity to meet each other, except during fortnightly virtual clinical meetings. It’s crucial for us to facilitate connections among our associates, many of whom had never met in person, to enhance both operational efficiency and camaraderie among our therapists. Our offsite strategy focuses primarily on fostering personal connections and building relationships. Additionally, we incorporate a brief company update to communicate our growth and future vision, ensuring everyone feels included in our journey.
What were the main objectives for the offsite?
This offsite was the first (of many) full team away days, bringing together our core and associate team for the first time. Our focus for the day was 'Connection' – with ourselves, each other, and the environment around us - to build stronger bonds and make unforgettable memories.
How did WorkTripp help?
I used WorkTripp to find a suitable location that could cater for all our needs. I used their platform to communicate directly with these venues, managed the booking of our activities, food and drinks, and even got a photographer recommendation - meaning everything was kept in one place, saving my inbox some serious clutter! 😅
We headed to a 500-acre country estate, in the beautiful High Weald of Kent. Everyone was incredibly impressed with the venue and the quality of the food, guides, and more. It certainly had the wow factor for an away day in nature.
“Our offsite was highly successful, and we are pleased to report that we met all of our objectives. Everyone surveyed expressed that they felt more connected to Cognivate, and 100% indicated they would attend another offsite event.”
What were the results?
Our offsite was highly successful, and we are pleased to report that we met all of our objectives. The primary goal was to foster a sense of connection among our teams, and based on the feedback from our post-offsite survey, we achieved this. Everyone surveyed expressed that they felt more connected to Cognivate, and 100% indicated they would attend another offsite event.
The positive feedback didn’t stop there. We received numerous emails from team members expressing how wonderful it was to finally meet in person. Many associates mentioned that they now feel like a valued part of Cognivate, reinforcing the sense of belonging and unity we aimed to cultivate.
A standout moment for us was witnessing the natural and genuine interactions between team members who had previously only met virtually. Personally and as a team, we had several "aha!" moments, realising the immense value of personal connections in enhancing teamwork and overall job satisfaction. The offsite not only strengthened our professional relationships but also deepened our personal bonds, making us a more cohesive and motivated team.
At WorkTripp we care passionately about the #Future of Teams, providing seamless access to world-class suppliers, content and insights for high-impact offsites.
Find your perfect venue or facilitator here, or contact us directly at hello@worktripp.com.
