AN IT company has won an award for bringing big-business standards of staff care to a much smaller workforce.

IDT Support Solutions Ltd provide tech software and hardware for companies such as Disney and were given the Investors in People silver award last month.

Auditors praised their focus on staff wellbeing, despite only having 12 employees all based in Newton-le-Willows.

Marketing and communications director Ream Demnati said: “We’re applying what you would find in a large organisation to a smaller business.

“Because we’re a small team we work as a family.

“We’re allowing people to give their ideas and suggestions about what’s working."

She contacted Investors in People just over a year ago and has led the push for the award which the firm managed to earn on their first attempt.

Companies apply for the award, then their employees are interviewed and asked to fill out forms on their experiences at work.

IDT's intranet now includes health and wellbeing information and Ream has brought in some healthy eating books too.

They even have an office dog called Alfie.

On their resident saluki, Ream said: “Alfie comes in every day to work, and he’s such a lovely thing to have as company because when you’ve had a stressful day he’s great, and everyone loves having him.”

One employment success story is Hayley Scott, 22, who is now an IT systems engineer.

She dropped out of university due to poor mental health and thought her chance at a career in IT had gone, but IDT took a chance on her.

“I came into the job convinced I was out of my depth.

“I struggled to talk to customers on the phone and my confidence level was very low.

“Over the last two years, working with IDT has helped me build up my confidence, bit by bit, and has shaped me into the person I am today.”

The company also works with the British Fashion Council, who organise London Fashion Week ,and grew 60% in 2018 then a further 40% in 2019.

John Martin, Investors in People’s business development manager said: "This is a great achievement for a small organisation and means that the organisation has shown an open style of leadership with a positive impact.

“Ream has been instrumental in developing a culture of continuous improvement and they should be extremely proud of their achievement”.