We're happy to share our 'Employees of the Month' for October. Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate.
Below are the names of the winners in the categories of MacIntyre Adult Services, Children and Young People, No Limits, and Support Services, together with an extract from their nominations.
Cheri Johnson – Adult Services, Milton Keynes
Cheri is a new Senior who oversees support at the home of three people who have complex and ever-changing health needs. Cheri has taken responsibility and ownership for all the support, including sourcing appropriate training and balancing different staff viewpoints on how to proceed. She does all of this with a smile on her face and a positive outlook. Cheri lives locally and is known for just nipping in on her days off to see how everyone is getting on and offer reassurance when needed. If we could clone her, we would!
Benjamin Yorke - Children and Young People, Wingrave
As a therapist, I love to observe how staff build rapport and stay dedicated in interacting with young people. Ben was tasked to support some young people who had been hard to engage and had very short attention spans. Ben’s knowledge meant he’s been able to build trusting relationships with these young people. He was also very positive in taking on feedback from the therapy team. I remember once I shared that if a student finds interaction with a staff member meaningful and feels themselves "understood", it will open up a lot of opportunities for communication. Ben took this to heart and increasingly finds chances to join in a student's play or interest. It is so amazing and heart-warming to see.
Helen White - No Limits, Oxfordshire
Helen has joined MAP College in Abingdon recently and has faced some challenges but always has a positive attitude towards everything.
Helen has had a challenging month, but never had she stopped smiling, never has she complained. All she has done is work out what can be done to make life run more smoothly for her students.
She has still had time to support her colleagues. Helen is a true role model for us all.
Annie Hitchman – Support Services
I am nominating Annie for Employee of the Month to recognise her fantastic contributions to the recent Marjorie Newton Wright Award ceremony, including the video she put together which is absolutely wonderful, and I’m sure it will be watched many times.
When filming, Annie always has an air of calm about her which puts people at ease. She is very approachable and will readily answer questions. She doesn't rush people and despite working against tight deadlines, she gives the impression she has as much time as we need.
I myself have sent her video clips which have needed editing and 'polishing' - she always does this efficiently and cheerfully. I think Annie should be applauded for how swiftly she can turn things around - particularly as she has to factor in travelling around MacIntyre locations.