THE achievements of staff and apprentices were celebrated on Thursday, January 21, as Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council held its annual PRIDE Awards at Kirkleatham Museum.
The awards recognise staff from all departments of the council as well as the dedication of apprentices working both at the council and in other businesses across Redcar and Cleveland.
11 awards are handed out at the event including the Team of the Year Award, Innovation Award and the Geoff Waterfield Memorial Trophy for Apprentices, named in memory of the man crucial in bringing steel making back to Teesside in 2012.
Taking top honours as Employee of the Year was Geraldine Handley, Recovery and Independence Manager at the council, who was praised by her team for her quick thinking and dedicated management of a service that helps residents make the transition from hospital care to their own home.
Geraldine and the Recovery & Independence team received a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC in 2014 in recognition of the work they’ve done.
The Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Cllr Brenda Forster, said: “I was delighted to be able to give the Employee of the Year Award to such a dedicated member of staff. Geraldine regularly goes above and beyond for residents in the borough and I’m pleased her hard work and commitment has been recognised.”
Also being recognised at the PRIDE Awards was Michael Wilks, the winner of the Geoff Waterfield Memorial Trophy. Michael, an Early Help Apprentice, was nominated by a number of his colleagues for his desire to achieve and his passion to learn new things.
His colleagues also highlighted the positive results he achieves professionally and personally when faced with challenges not always within his comfort zone.
Due to the number of excellent entries in the category, Business Support Apprentice Amy Williams also received a commendation.
Amy only started working for the council in July 2015 but quickly showed she was willing to go above and beyond her normal duties with the assistance she provided as part of the SSI Response Team, and her helpful manner in answering queries from allotment holders.
Both awards were presented in Geoff’s memory by his partner Sheryl Petite and his son Wills Waterfield.
Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Cllr Sue Jeffrey, said: “I am pleased for everyone who has won an award this year in recognition of the great work they have been doing for the council. I think it is important to recognise the valuable contributions made by all members of staff in ensuring residents receive a top quality service from the council.
“I would also like to thank all the guests that volunteered their time to give out awards at the event. It was great to see so many of the council’s partners praising the work our staff does day-in day-out with them and members of the public.”
For more information on all the winners, go to: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/pride.