News Employee Awards

News
WINTER 2008
ISSUE 133
Employee Awards
matrix Quality Standard Achieved
Following an inspection,
Local Solutions is delighted
to have been accredited to
the matrix Standard for its
Training and Welfare Rights
departments.
The quality mark reflects the
high standards of advice and
guidance provided by both
services.
A range of methods were
used to gather evidence
against the matrix Standard
- these included a range of
interviews with staff and
service users.
The assessor highlighted
several strengths within the
organisation and many areas
of good practice including a
staff culture that lived and
breathed
the
company
values, strong relationships
with partners and a range of
stakeholder focus groups
linked into the management
process.
Quality Assurance Manager,
Sandra Keatley said: “This is
Welfare Rights and Training
a fantastic achievement for
the departments involved - it
highlights the innovative
services that we strive to
deliver and the dedication of
the staff at Local Solutions.”
Literary Contest Boosts Nurseries
Local Solutions benefited from the proceeds of an international short story competition held
by law firm Mace & Jones.
Mace & Jones decided to mark Liverpool’s year as Capital
of Culture by launching a literary contest. The entry fee for
the competition (which encouraged participation from both
published authors and beginners) was £10 and Local
Solutions was chosen as the recipient of the proceeds.
L-R: Heather Akehurst, Phil Redmond and
Martin Edwards
At an awards ceremony held in St. George’s Hall, the
winner and runner-up of the competition were announced
and presented with prizes.
Meanwhile, Senior Manager of Corporate Services at Local Solutions, Heather Akehurst, was
presented with a cheque for £1,000 by Capital of Culture Chief Phil Redmond and Martin
Edwards of Mace & Jones. She commented: “We
are so grateful for this donation - the money will be
spent on providing wet weather clothing for the
children who attend our nurseries.”
Entries for the competition were received from as far
away as New Zealand and India however it was a
local woman, Cathy Roberts, (who interestingly lives
on a tug boat in the Albert Dock) who was chosen
as the winner for her story 'The Appointment'.
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Stars shine in Employee Awards
The Local Solutions annual
staff awards, in which the
exceptional efforts of
employees are highlighted
and rewarded, took place at
the end of 2008.
Organisation Chairman,
Robert Owen, presented
winners with an engraved
award and bottle of
champagne. Congratulations
to the winners of each of the
four categories - highlighted
below:
The C7 Clean Team were
awarded Team of the Year –
a category which recognises a
team that has successfully
performed above and beyond
normal expectations.
Lindsey
Kelly won
Outstanding
Service
Delivery - an
award
recognising a
particular action
where a member
of staff went above and
beyond their job role to ensure
an excellent service was
delivered.
Carole Turner was given the
Equality of
Opportunity
award - in
which a specific
action(s) is
recognised that
has had a
positive impact on improving
the quality of life of another.
This year’s new
award of
Lifetime
Achievement
was presented
to George
Owens who
has worked
within the
Horticulture department for 18
years.
Runners up for awards
included: Russell Murphy,
Jenny Smedley, Human
Resources, Merseysport,
Elizabeth Miller and
Northwood Children’s
Centre
All were praised for their
dedication to the organisation.
Visit from Sir Bert Massie CBE
Local Solutions was delighted to welcome Sir Bert Massie CBE to its Headquarters where he met
with Chief Executive Stephen Hawkins and senior managers.
A disability rights campaigner for nearly 40 years, Sir Bert has had close links with the
organisation since its fruition and has been a keen supporter of its work in promoting
independence for people with disabilities.
Sir Bert was born in Liverpool and knighted in 2007
in recognition of his services to disabled people. He
is currently a Commissioner of the Equality and
Human Rights Commission as well as the
Commissioner for the Compact (an organisation
that brings together Government and voluntary/
community sectors in England recognising shared
values, principles and commitments and setting out
guidelines).
Stephen commented: “It was a wonderful
Stephen Hawkins with Sir Bert Massie
opportunity to learn from Sir Bert’s vast
experience and wisdom. We both feel strongly
that voluntary organisations ought to move forward on the basis of their values and ethics.”
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New Service for Young Homeless People
Thanks to the John Paul Getty Jnr. Charitable Trust, Local Solutions has secured a grant to fund
a post to enhance its support for young single homeless people.
The new Intensive Support Mentoring (ISM) Programme will work in collaboration with hostels
and housing providers within Liverpool offering clients one to one
intensive support and advocacy.
Programme Co-ordinator, Sue Shelley, will work within an intensive
support programme with a client group of four to eight young
homeless people at any one time. Clients will be referred to the
programme from homeless agencies across Liverpool, with length of
time in the homeless system being a key indicator of their need.
Sue added, “We are delighted that the Trustees of the John Paul
Getty Jnr. Charitable Trust have supported this exciting
Sue Shelley
initiative. We endeavour to make a dramatic impact on the lives of
young homeless people through this holistic support package. The aim is to help individuals gain
the confidence and skills to rebuild their lives for a better future.”
For further information on the service, contact Sue on 0151-705 2307 or e mail
[email protected]
Train to Gain at Local Solutions
Local Solutions launched its new Train to Gain programme at an
event at its Headquarters in November.
Over 50 representatives of local businesses who required training
for their staff, attended the launch - where they gained information
on courses available through Local Solutions and the assessment
process involved.
Train to Gain is the government’s flagship service to support
employers to improve the skills of their employees. Through this
service, Local Solutions is now able to offer FREE NVQ training
across a wide range of courses.
These FREE courses include, Children’s Care Learning & Development, Customer Service,
Horticulture, Business Administration and ITQ
(computing).
Local Solutions, which celebrates its 35th anniversary
this year, is recognised as an Approved Training
Provider. Each year it delivers accredited training for
between 400 – 500 people and has an excellent
success rate of retention and achievement.
If you would like more information about Train to Gain
at Local Solutions please call Marie Earle on 0151
705 2366 or email [email protected]
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Recognition at Awards Ceremony
A Local Solutions employee
has been named as runner-up
in an awards ceremony aimed
at highlighting excellence
within the social care sector.
Joan Tootle has worked
as Housekeeper at the
Homeground Hostel on
Scotland Road, Liverpool, for
16 years and was announced
as runner-up in the
Outstanding
Support
Worker Working In A
Nursing/Care
Home
Environment category at the
first ever ‘I Care’ awards.
Joan was nominated by
Homeground Manager, Joey
Neill, who commented: “Joan
is an extraordinary human
being and a beautiful, caring
lady. Many of Joan’s
colleagues agree she is
always willing to put herself
out to help and support others
- asking for nothing in return.”
Joan with the Lord Mayor
Days out galore thanks to new Kiddy Bus!
Hilltop Children’s Centre in Huyton is to benefit
from a Turtle Kiddy Bus! A kind donation from
the Radio City 96.7 ‘Cash for Kids’ fund will
enable the nursery to take
delivery of the unique bus much to
the delight of staff and children.
The Kiddy Bus enables two
nursery staff to take up to six
children out together, meaning
more days out and visits to local
parks etc will be possible. With
the added benefit of a canopy
children will stay dry no matter
what the weather throws at them!
Early Years Senior Manager, Anita Egan,
learned the good news on The
Duncan Barkes Show, on Radio
City's sister station City Talk FM.
She responded; “We are thrilled!
This is a great opportunity for the
children to get out and about in the
fresh air and enjoy trips that they
may otherwise be unable to
experience.”
Fond Farewell to Care Support Worker
Local Solutions has bid a fond farewell to Care Support
Worker, Jackie Wilson, who has retired after almost ten
years in the post within Homecare.
Jackie said she loved her role and the clients she has
cared for, however she felt it was time to spend more
time with her family - in particular her beloved
grandchildren.
Jackie was joined by her close friend and fellow Care
Support Worker, Carol Sage, as well as her Manager,
Karen Yeowart, Homecare Manager, Paula Bell and
Deputy Manager Ursula Bell for a warm farewell and
presentation of flowers.
Left to Right: Karen, Carol, Jackie, Ursula and Paula.
Commenting on her time with Local Solutions, a tearful Jackie said: “I will miss everyone I’ve
worked with and all my clients and want to thank them all for the past ten years.”
Page 5
Winter Survival Campaign
Once again Local Solutions ran its successful Winter Survival Campaign.
As in previous years the campaign saw staff distribute hundreds of Winter
Survival Packs to the organisation’s older and vulnerable service users
across Liverpool. Items of value in the pack included blankets, cold
alarms, thermos flasks and warm clothing to see them through the cold
spell.
This crucial campaign further enhances Local Solutions ongoing work
with vulnerable people who also use the organisation's other services
such as Shopmobility, the Carers Project, Homecare, Keep Safe & Warm
and Welfare Rights.
With the ‘credit crunch’ this year bringing higher prices and the need for
many people to make savings, staff at Local Solutions
feel that the campaign alleviates pressure on older
people. We are delighted to all those who support
the campaign.
Craig Bunnell with
Elizabeth Duncan
Vera Gibbons (pictured right) cares for her
daughter who has a learning disability. She was
given a pack by Fran Coles of the Carers Project.
Maria Cook with
Margaret Baker
Soon to turn 90 years of age, Vera commented:
“The pack is brilliant, especially as I’m not used to
being given things like this. It’s lovely to be on the
receiving end of something so nice.”
Fran Coles with
Vera Gibbons
New Telecare Home Response Service
Local Solutions, in
collaboration with
Liverpool City Council
(LCC), has
established a
Telecare Home
Response Service to
support older and
vulnerable people
within their own
homes, thus enabling
them to live as
independently as
possible.
The pilot scheme will
support older and
vulnerable people
living in Liverpool –
e.g. those living with
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dementia, people
recently discharged
from hospital, people
at risk of falling and
people with medical
conditions such as
diabetes and
epilepsy. Care is
available 24 hours a
day, seven days per
week.
Councillor Ron Gould,
Executive Member for
Health, Care and
Safeguarding at LCC
said:
“One of the biggest
fears elderly people
have about getting old
is being uprooted and
moved into a care
home.
The aim of Telecare is
to give people help
and support to live in
their own homes for
as long as possible.
By linking up with
Local Solutions, we
are now able to
provide the service to
people who don’t
have a relative or
friend living nearby to
pop round when
there’s a problem.”
The service will have
a positive effect on
people’s lives such
as:
 enabling
independent living
 reducing the need for
residential/nursing
care
 reducing the number
of hospital
admissions
 increasing security in
a non-intrusive
manner
Further information
from Vicky Dunbavin
0151 291 7857 or
email vdunbavin@
localsolutions.org.uk
NCC celebrates its 18th Birthday!
The Northern Conference Centre (NCC) at Mount Vernon Green Headquarters has celebrated its
18th birthday. The NCC team were joined by over 50 Local Solutions’ staff for tea and cake to
celebrate the occasion.
The Centre was opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent in 1990 and since that time a number of
high profile events have been hosted. These have included an additional two royal visits from
HRH The Princess Royal (who marked the first anniversary of the Carers Centre) and the
Duchess of Gloucester (who met with staff and young,
homeless people from our Merseyside Accommodation
Project).
The NCC has a range of function suites that can be
booked for seminars, conferences or courses. The team
has built up excellent relationships with local businesses,
statutory, voluntary and educational organisations who
regularly take advantage of the facilities on offer.
Estates Manager, Lynn Southward, commented, “We
would like to say a particular thanks to our customers (old
and new). Their frequent use of our facility has enabled us to
reach our milestone anniversary. Here’s to the next 18 years!"
The NCC team
Successful Recruitment Day Held
Local Solutions held a very
successful recruitment day in January to
promote vacancies within its Homecare
Department.
The drop-in event, held at Local Solutions’
headquarters in Hall Lane, Liverpool, was
attended by approximately 130 people.
Vacancies included:




Care Support Workers
Team Leaders
Care Co-ordinators
Operational Managers
All vacancies covered the areas of Liverpool,
Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral.
During the day two presentations were held to
raise awareness of the benefits of a career
within the care sector and working for Local
Solutions. The presentations also covered
information about what was required within
each job role.
The event was
supported from our
partner agencies Step
Closer to Work,
Connexions, Reed,
NDDP who were at
hand to offer support to
individuals who were
looking for employment.
Due to the success of
the Liverpool
Recruitment Drive, we
are looking to organising a similar event in
Wirral in the near future. Check our website for
details of this up and coming event (see
below).
Local Solutions is always looking to recruit
people into the care sector. For further
information about vacancies within our
Homecare department, please visit our website
www.localsolutions.org.uk or contact our
recruitment hotline – 0151-705 2333/4.
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Local Solutions is a unique not for
profit social enterprise that provides
services for people across the age
spectrum; from young children
through childhood and youth to
adulthood and old age.
The diversity of our services ensures
we can reach individuals,
communities and organisations to
deliver services that improve the
quality of people’s lives.
Young people at risk
Children and families
Vulnerable people
Unpaid carers
People on low incomes
Communities
People with disabilities
Older people
Local Solutions
Mount Vernon Green
Hall Lane, Liverpool, L7 8TF
Tel: 0151 709 0990 Fax: 0151 709 9326 Minicom: 0151 709 4962
www.localsolutions.org.uk
Local Solutions is a registered charity No. 515060. This newsletter is edited and produced by the Communications
Department and printed by A. Wood and Company. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily official
policy. Additional copies are available by calling Christine Hornby on 0151 705 2305.