At Consensus, we are innovators and problem solvers, and we love to think differently to ensure we can make a meaningful impact every day. Creativity helps us find new and effective ways to support people and empower our colleagues, and it’s an essential part of making every moment matter.
You may be wondering why creativity came out on top as one of our new company values.
As well as generating new ideas, it’s about how we approach challenges and find innovative solutions. It’s what drives us to create better outcomes for the people we support and a stronger, more inclusive environment for our colleagues. Creativity allows us to make things happen that others may not have imagined possible.
When we talk about creativity, some might think of arts and crafts – but at Consensus, it goes much deeper than that. Creativity is about enabling people to achieve things they might never have thought possible.
But let’s actually start with an arty one.
Because one wonderful example is Art & Possibilities, a project brought to life by Theresa, one of the people we support. Theresa had a passion for creating artwork and expressing herself, but the real creativity here was the way colleagues collaborated with her to make this project happen across the organisation. They worked together to ensure Theresa’s voice was at the forefront, allowing her to shape and lead the initiative. The project wasn’t just about making art – it was about creating opportunities for Theresa to take the lead, encouraging self-expression and independence to achieve her dreams.
Creativity is crucial when it comes to delivering personalised care. One size doesn’t fit all, and finding innovative solutions to unique challenges is what allows us to make a lasting difference.
Peter’s Communication Book is a fantastic example of this. His team at Strawberry Fields faced a challenge: how could they help Peter, who struggled with verbal communication, express himself and engage with those around him? By introducing a personalised Makaton book tailored to his specific needs, they creatively found a solution that enhanced his ability to connect and communicate. This wasn’t about a standardised approach, but a unique and creative response that had a positive impact on Peter’s quality of life.
This type of creativity, of finding ways to personalise care and overcome barriers, helps ensure that every person we support is given the tools and support they need to thrive.
Creativity doesn’t just show up in how we support individuals; it’s also central to how we work as a team, how we involve our colleagues, how we nurture our culture. We encourage creative thinking in every part of our organisation because innovation helps us improve the services we offer and the way we work together. And we empower colleagues to bring forward those ideas, and to implement them where they can.
The Matchbox is one of the most exciting examples of how creativity flourishes at Consensus. Through this initiative, colleagues across the organisation are invited to submit their ideas for improving our services. One submission from Courtney and Kari led to the creation of the Wales Sports Day, an event that brought people from our Wales & West services together to celebrate abilities, have fun, and strengthen connections.
When we embrace the ideas and creativity of our colleagues – especially those who are delivering care and support each day, we open the door to new possibilities that help us grow as an organisation and make every moment more meaningful for the people we support.
So, why is creativity so important at Consensus? Because it allows us to break through limitations, find new ways to make a difference, and make every day richer and more fulfilling for both the people we support and our colleagues.
Creativity helps us see beyond the ordinary and find extraordinary solutions. It helps us create environments where people feel empowered, where teams feel inspired, and where ideas can flourish.
Just like Kindness and Commitment, Creativity is one of our core values because it drives us forward and ensures that we’re continuously innovating, improving, and making Consensus a place where every moment matters.
