Staff success at the heart of the community

Colleagues and service-users at Portsmouth’s largest charity, Southern Focus Trust, made over 220 nominations for Staff Excellence Awards, more than twice as many as the two previous years added together.

During one two-day period, this equated to one nomination being received every eight minutes in the lead up to the charity’s fourth Staff Excellence Awards.  The Portsmouth Marriott Hotel, again, sponsored the Awards by providing the Mary Rose Suite for the event which was attended by nearly 200 staff.

“90 of our service users sent in glowing nominations about what our staff have done to support them and change their lives,” said Chief Executive Nicola Youern. “For me, this is the ultimate sign of success right at the heart of our community. Our service users include those experiencing mental ill health, homelessness, learning disabilities, domestic violence and other challenges and our job is to deliver services that enable them to sustain independent, fulfilling lives.”

The Award Categories included a ‘Green Award’ for those helping the Trust to reduce its carbon footprint, and several ‘Service User Special Awards for Excellence’, one of which was awarded to team member Stella Pratt who, according to the nomination form, “was the first person to sit with me and tell me I am a good Mum. She has helped me to sort out my son. She always has time for us, she is so special, and thanks for letting us live here to sort me out. She has made me and my children very welcome and I love her very much.”

The overall Employee of the Year 2008 was Sheila Cullimore who received several nominations including one which said, “Sheila is more than a cook…she is a constant source of support to young people. She deserves recognition for the work she has carried out quietly and unnoticed for so many years.”

Those wanting to know more about Southern Focus Trust’s services or career opportunities click here.