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Best of BEST

Best of BEST is one of the categories at Birmingham City Council’s annual Chamberlain Awards. The category was introduced in 2010 to recognise the excellent work delivered through the BEST programme. The finalists are selected from our “Living It” award winners and from successful Dragons’ Den bids. This is the only category where the winner is decided by YOU, employees of Birmingham City Council.

The individuals or teams are selected for their contribution not only to BEST but because they show great commitment to Birmingham City Council. They live the core values of belief, excellence, success and trust every day and are great ambassadors for us as an organisation.

This year’s finalists are:
John Winfield VOTE FOR JOHN WINFIELD
The Graduate Team VOTE FOR THE GRADUATE TEAM
Linda Garey VOTE FOR LINDA GAREY

Voting closes on FRIDAY 17th JUNE 2011

John Winfield
Substance Misuse Aftercare Recovery Team
Adults and Communities Directorate

John was nominated by his team members, and was a winner of the Manager of the Month.

John says he is incredibly proud of his team and the work they do to improve the lives of people who misuse substances in Birmingham. He is enthusiastic about encouraging new ideas, keeping in touch with front line staff as well as the vulnerable people who use their service. John is open and honest with his team members, and they say he is an approachable manager who always has time to listen and to encourage them to find their own solutions to problems and work together to deliver an excellent service.

John shows commitment and superb knowledge, supporting the outcomes of the team at a strategic level. He has also supported his team through a complex period of change within the Council whilst supporting them individually and as a team.

John Said "I am very honoured to be nominated as a finalist for the Chamberlain Awards, but feel this recognition should be shared with all the Substance Misuse Staff; that is the social workers, administration & support staff, and commissioners, who strive to provide an excellent service to a much marginalised user group. I would also like to thank my managers for all the support they have given me".

VOTING
VOTE FOR JOHN WINFIELD or email best@birmingham.gov.uk with ‘John Winfield’ in the subject title.

The Birmingham Graduate Development Programme Team
Corporate Resources Directorate.

The Birmingham Graduate Development Programme Team is a cohort of 9 project officers who have worked tirelessly to achieve successful outcomes in over 40 service areas since January 2009.

Some of their achievements include:

• Managing a project that invited members of the public to suggest changes to the law that would improve their local communities
• Managing an innovative scheme to help people to reduce energy consumption and bills in their homes by offering affordable solar panels and other technologies to residents.
• Supporting homeless people to rent housing in the private sector and become more independent.
• Supporting the council’s business planning process, bringing together policy, workforce planning and finance. Implementing a new strategy to ensure that the city is resilient to extreme weather.
• Working with young people to raise awareness of violence in relationships.

Some of the feedback from managers regarding the graduates includes: enormous achievement in short space of time; excellent communication skills; inspiration to colleagues; great ambassador; excellent contribution; high calibre of work; dedicated; embrace challenges; professional and delivered real achievements, Leaders of the future.

Elizabeth Woodfield, Project Officer said, "We are thrilled to be nominated for the best of BEST Chamberlain Award, and are delighted to represent talented young people within Birmingham City Council."

VOTING VOTE FOR THE GRADUATE TEAM or email best@birmingham.gov.uk with ‘Graduate Team’ in the subject title.

Linda Garey. Permanent Museum Assistant
Museums and Heritage / Community Museums
Environment and Culture Directorate

Linda is extremely proactive when encouraging the community to enjoy the wonderful museums we have in Birmingham to their full capacity. Linda had noticed that certain groups in our community, such as those living in refuges or homeless shelters, didn’t have the opportunity to visit our museums or gardens and take up the services we have to offer. Linda personally took it on her4self to work with groups of parents and children living in shelters, to give them access to Aston Hall’s beautiful gardens and to use the nature trails and play with other children. Linda also organises craft activities and toy sessions in Aston Hall to be inclusive of the children and their parents,.

Linda’s brilliant idea is low cost but extremely worthwhile and demonstrates the core values of BEST in her approach, especially belief. Linda said "I am absolutely honoured to be recognised but feel I am just doing my job"

A shelter member of staff commented “it is rare for parents living in homeless shelters to have the opportunity to relax and play with their children in such a wonderful setting, this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without Linda going the extra mile”.

VOTE FOR LINDA GAREY or email best@birmingham.gov.uk with ‘Linda Garey’ in the subject title.