We’re launching a suggestion mailbox to make it easier for all colleagues across SSAFA to share ideas and help shape how we work. This article contains details on what the Suggestion Box is and how employees and volunteers can conribute.
Introduction
Many of you told us we could do more to create clear, accessible ways to share ideas and have a real say in how things work at SSAFA.
So, we would like to introduce the Suggestion Box.
It’s a simple, consistent way to share your ideas (anonymously or not), making sure they’re gathered, reviewed, and genuinely considered. No black holes - just a clear route for your voice to be heard and for us to respond to what you’re telling us.
Because the best ideas don’t just come from the top - they come from all of us.
Why we’re introducing this
Following an Employee Pulse Survey, many of you told us that we could do more to create clear, accessible ways for colleagues to share ideas and influence how the organisation works.
A cross-functional working group explored this in more detail – reviewing feedback, learning from other organisations, and speaking with colleagues across SSAFA. Their recommendation was to introduce a digital suggestion mailbox, giving everyone a straightforward way to contribute ideas.
The work has also been aligned with the Culture Review, which reinforces the importance of strengthening inclusion and involvement from all colleagues. The Suggestion Box is therefore one of the first practical steps we’re taking in response to that feedback.
What is the Suggestion Box?
The Suggestion Box is a dedicated, organisation-wide digital channel for submitting:
- Ideas for improving how we work
- Suggestions to enhance our experience at SSAFA
- Opportunities to improve services, processes, or ways of working
It provides a clear and consistent mechanism for suggestions to be gathered, reviewed, and considered, reflecting recognised good practice where everyone feels able to contribute; and we can respond directly to what colleagues told us.
How it will work
- Suggestions can be submitted anonymously, if preferred
- You may also choose to include your contact details
- Our Chief Operating Officer, Simon Blum will oversee the mailbox and ensure submissions are reviewed and followed up appropriately
Where contact details are provided, Simon (or a nominated colleague) may get in touch to:
- Clarify a suggestion
- Provide an update
- Explore an idea further
If a submission is anonymous and contains no identifiable information, it will still be reviewed. However, our ability to progress or explore it in depth may be limited if further detail or clarification is needed.
A note on anonymity
We recognise that not everyone will feel comfortable attaching their name to a suggestion, and anonymity is therefore offered to help create psychological safety.
Please be aware:
- If you include identifiable information, you may be contacted
- Anonymous submissions may be harder to take forward if additional context is required
What the mailbox is (and isn’t) for
Appropriate use
The mailbox is intended for:
- Constructive suggestions and ideas
- Opportunities for improvement
- Feedback on how SSAFA can work more effectively
Not appropriate for
The digital suggestion mailbox is not designed to be used for:
- Individual complaints or concerns
- Grievances or issues relating to line management
- Safeguarding concerns
- Whistleblowing or allegations of wrongdoing
These matters have specific policies, procedures, and reporting routes in place to ensure they are handled appropriately, confidentially, and fairly.
It’s important that issues of this nature are raised through the correct channels because they often:
- Require detailed information
- Involve sensitive or serious allegations
- Depend on the ability to speak directly with the person raising the concern
Put simply, we are limited in what action can be taken if concerns or allegations are raised anonymously or without sufficient detail through a suggestions channel.