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Achievements recognised at Actes’ staff update

The Actes team came together for the organisation’s summer meeting yesterday to hear an update on the business and enjoy an awards presentation.

Over 40 employees from Actes’ delivery projects, facilities team and head office attended the annual event which took place in the Resource Centre’s Ford Hall.  They heard an update from the chief executive and other representatives from the senior management team about the impact the charity is having in helping people with employment support, financial management and in overcoming barriers to improve their lives.  The event also included an update on Actes’ two facilities, the Acklam Green Centre and Resource Centre which continue to attract a growing number of customers from the business community as well as members of the public.

Following the business update, a series of awards were handed out to those staff members who had been singled-out for their contribution in the workplace over the past year.

Acklam Green Centre’s Apprentice Catering Assistant Shannon Doolan received the Progression Award for going above and beyond in ensuring the smooth running of the centre’s café and catering service. Work IT Out Tutor Bernie Spark and New Directions Youth Advocate Richard Yuille were named joint runners-up in the category having both progressed from being unemployed to volunteers to full-time employees thriving in their new roles, within a matter of months.

Nick Morton received the Outstanding Contribution Award for his work in developing and delivering accredited employability courses Defining Futures and Work IT Out, while Terrie Allinson was named runner-up for her hard work and dedication to the Trending clothing bank and Benefit Take Up campaign.  Actes’ Marketing & Communications Officer Lindsey Spears was presented with the Chief Executive Award for her work over the past year on raising the profile of the organisation among key audiences.

Sandra Phillips, Actes’ CEO, said: “The annual staff event is a great opportunity for everyone to come together from all parts of the organisation to hear about our achievements over the past year and our future organisational plans.  It’s also a chance to recognise those staff members have made a special contribution to achieving our business goals over the past 12 months.”

Adding a light-hearted touch to the occasion, a series of spoof awards were then handed out, highlights of which included: The Feeder Award received by operations director Paul Wales for distracting people from dieting with his constant supply of cakes and biscuits; The Office Prankster Award which was jointly awarded to Eilis Sexton and Jonny Harrison for their office high-jinks; The Mother Hen Award which was given to everyone’s favourite ‘office aunty’ Andrea Robson; The A Team Award which was awarded to Anne Davies for her unwavering ability to resolve all manner of IT issues; and The Scaredy-Cat of the Year Award, which was awarded to Richard Yuille for his uncontrolled fear of spiders, even in screen-saver format.

Following the awards the Actes team enjoyed a bit of friendly competition with a quiz, and a delicious three-course meal was enjoyed courtesy of Jenny Parker and Saeeda Hussain.

Sandra added: “The summer meeting is also a great opportunity for some fun and to encourage teambuilding with our spoof awards, meal and quiz, all of which were really well-received.”