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Leader Conference Presentation - July 2011

At our recent Leader Conference, held on Friday 8 July in the Council House, some of our recent winners were presented with their certificate and trophies by Councillor Rudge and Chief Executive Stephen Hughes. Here is a reminder of their achievements.

In the morning session, Councillor Rudge presented three of our Leader of the Month trophies.

Jayshree Vadgama, Adults & Communities’ Business Support Team based at the Norman Power Centre, was nominated for her proactive approach to being a BEST Leader, not only to motivate her team through the process but being on hand to help other BEST Leaders if she was needed. Jayshree won Leader of the Month in January 2011, well done Jayshree.

Gary Edwards, Duty Manager from Stechford Cascades Leisure Centre, Homes and Neighbourhoods, was judged to be a winner as he has encouraged his team to come up with productive and creative BEST workshop actions. He provided a link between his colleagues and management team, making sure any improvement suggestions can be discussed by managers. Gary is a committed member of staff and committed BEST Leader; leading an impressive seven teams through the workshop process, always with a positive attitude. Gary won Leader of the month in February 2011. Impressive work Gary, well done!

Shairoze Premji from Children, Young People and Families Directorate, was nominated for her motivation and inspiration. Shairoze has been the ‘Looked After Children, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (LAC CAMHS)’ South Team’s BEST Leader for 2010/11. She always holds interesting and lively BEST workshops, encouraging the team’s active participation. The team successfully approached Dragons’ Den in 2010 under Shairoze’s care guide for the enlargement of their Carer’s Resource Library and the purchase of dolls for the therapeutic use with Children and Young People. These have both benefited staff and service users.

Shairoze has carried out her role positively and is unfazed by the current uncertain climate of the organisation. She really enjoys her role and is inspirational to her colleagues. Shairoze won Leader of the Month in April 2011, well done Shairoze.

In the afternoon session, Chief Executive Stephen Hughes presented our new ‘Employee of the Month’ award to a couple of our worthy winners.

Paulette Farquharson, Administration Assistant, Education Psychology Team, Children Young People and Families Directorate was nominated for her use of her initiative, taking the lead, and training her colleagues. She has undertaken extra roles as development, now being a confident, strong leader. Paulette is definitely the teams rising star. Well done Paulette. Paulette won Employee of the Month in February 2011.

Melanie Gray, from Adults and Communities directorate, was nominated for her commitment to the Lord Mayor's Deaf Awareness Champions Programme. Melanie has volunteered to become a Mentor to 16 BSL Champions. Melanie has been extremely pro-active, supportive and encouraging towards her Champions. She has set up focus groups for her Champions to meet to discuss what they can do as a network to improve communication links, talk about the barriers they are facing and look for solutions. She is full of enthusiasm for the scheme, ensures everyone is included in discussions, keeping her Champions informed of upcoming events, such as deaf pub, which she attends regularly.

Melanie has also helped one of her fellow Mentors, who was struggling to motivate and engage her team, well done Melanie! Melanie won employee of the month in April 2011.

Congratulation to all of our winners.

If you want more information about the ‘Living It’ awards or want to nominate someone, please contact Charlotte Ody on 0121 675 1579 or via Lotus Notes.