Birmingham-based student accommodation company – Student Roost – has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award for its internal communications. The winners of the Inspiring Workplaces Awards will be announced in September 2021.
The Inspiring Communications Award is part of the International Workplaces Awards across the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It recognises companies that use their internal communications to inspire, educate and engage, rather than simply circulating information. Student Roost has been named on the shortlist alongside global brands such as Ikea, Vodafone and VISA.
The Inspiring Workplaces Awards were first established in 2014 to recognise and celebrate companies across the globe that pursued excellence in their fields and who were committed to creating a better working experience for their colleagues. Student Roost’s nomination was specifically for its Bird Box intranet site, which is used for accessing essential documents and information, as well as engaging interactive content and news articles that allow team members from across the UK to connect with each other.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bird Box has been used to get accurate up-to-date guidance out to property teams to keep residents safe. It’s also kept team members connected and engaged, with fun content alongside serious messages.
“We’re thrilled that Student Roost has been shortlisted by the Inspiring Workplaces Awards. Our internal communications strategy has been a labour of love since we first launched in 2017 and we’ve drawn on the expertise of team members across the business to create the high-quality content and seamless interface seen on the Bird Box today.
“94% of the Student Roost team regularly use the Bird Box, which is a testament to its appeal across teams and sites. Authentic and effective communication is something that’s been at the forefront of our minds, particularly during the past 18 months, and for it to be recognised by the judges of the Inspiring Workplaces Awards is incredible.
“Whether we win or lose, we’re so proud that work of our small internal communications team has been shortlisted alongside such notable international brands.”
Jess Gallop, Director of People & Organisational Effectiveness, Student Roost
While this award is for internal communications and engagement, Student Roost has previously been recognised for its work to support its residents. It was named Student Accommodation Provider of the Year by Student Crowd in 2019, following reviews by residents themselves, then won Student Accommodation Operator of the Year at the 2020 RESI Awards, and Operator of the Year at the Europe-wide Best in Class Awards.
Student Roost – which has its HQ in central Birmingham – launched in 2017 and now manages over 50 properties in over 20 cities across the UK, focusing on providing accessible, affordable and modern accommodation for university students. Alongside this, Student Roost ensure 24/7 on-site service and support for their residents, provided by their property teams, and were one of the first student accommodation companies to offer students financial support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
