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'Living It' - April 2011

We’ve seen many winners of both the BEST monthly ‘Living It’ Awards – and the BEST Dragons’ Den project over the past few months. You’ve continued to impress! And here’s just a snapshot of some of your recent successes...

Employee of the month winner Melanie Gray from Adults and Communities; 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!

BEST Leader of the Month, Shairoze Premji from Children, Young People and Families Directorate, was nominated by team manager, Kate Hopkins 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

Manager of the Month, Alex Donaldson from the Adults and Communities Directorate was nominated by team member June Nolan for his leadership and support.

Alex manages the Community Options Team, based at Moseley Road in Sparkbrook. He is always supportive of the team, expecting high standards not only of them but also of himself. Alex positively leads the team through any changes they are faced with; being open and honest and discussing all information with them in full. Alex always shows his respect for every member of the team, he is a patient and flexible manager, always recognising the team’s successes.

June said, “We trust him; he is sincere, down to earth and always has time for us”.

Congratulations to our winners; Melanie, Shairoze and Alex will be invited to our next recognition event to collect their certificate and trophies along with our other winners.

For further information please contact Charlotte Ody on 0121 675 1579 or via Lotus Notes.