2023 year book
In our busy work lives, we spend a lot of time looking towards the coming weeks and months ahead, without much time to reflect on what we have worked on. At the end of a year, it's great to look back and reflect on the amazing work and progress achieved in the past year, for both yourself and the residents of Lancashire. Our 2023 Yearbook gave staff the opportunity to do just that.
The messages below celebrate success and the work of fellow colleagues. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2023 Yearbook.
All of the recognition messages below were submitted from December 2023 to January 2024. Submissions are now closed for the 2023 Yearbook, but stay tuned for the 2024 Yearbook at the end of this year.
Your stories
I want to recognise our HoS Rachel Rump. Rachel dedicates every working minute to ensure we deliver the highest service possible to the team and the customers. Rachel does this by writing or videoing a weekly blog, she takes time to listen and act where appropriate, she supports the team's wellbeing and makes sure she gives written and/or verbal feedback of her appreciation for all the hard work the team does. She is a compassionate leader who combines strong leadership skills with empathy and understanding. She adopts a 'can do' attitude in all she does and is a role model to her team and customers by fostering a culture that values her team and the organisation. The service has been going through a transformation and she has ensured she has consistently provided clear information, involved the whole team, addressed concerns and encouraged collaboration. Rachel has guided the team through these challenging times with a positive mindset and has remained resilient throughout.
Justine McDonagh-Bond
I'd like to congratulate my team for the huge progress that they have made this year. Information Governance are a small team (15) who deal with around 2500 access requests every year and we provide technical guidance and support to our colleagues across the county council. We have had another challenging year both personally and professionally, but have shown immense resilience and commitment to each other ending the year far stronger than we began. I am so proud of their achievements this year and want to thank them all for their hard work and support.
Jo Winston
I'd like to say thank you to the Team at Mere Brook Day Centre especially Heather Southern and Sarah Willmoth. Over the year they have carried on working with a smile on their faces even if due to long term staff sickness or when covering another day centre as well as our own. Even if times are difficult it has been a pleasure to work with Heather and Sarah especially. The whole team always put the clients first and are so caring and I wanted to say how much I admire them.
Katharine McKinnon
I would like to thank Andrew Newiss and Charlie Moore-King from the Child Protection Admin Team, for both of your endless support over the last twelve months, it has been a pleasure to work with you both over the past months, we have had our laughs along the way, you are the simply the best! I appreciate all the support you have given. Long may it continue.
Catherine Frances Ball
I would like to say thank you to the Adult Services Strategic Workforce Lead, Katie Grant. Katie has done a fantastic job in developing and implementing the directorate's workforce strategy. She has been innovative, collaborative and supportive to colleagues within her own team, across the directorate and corporate services. Katie, you have made a difference and your hard work and compassionate style is much appreciated.
Joanne Reed
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to every one of our RIT colleagues for the incredible teamwork that we are doing. As we move forward, I am confident that our continued collaboration will lead to even more remarkable achievements. Let's build on the momentum we've created and take on new challenges with the same spirit and determination. Thank you once again for being such an incredible team. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside each of you.
RIT Team
I want to thank the Family Time Team at St Luke's, Preston, I began working as a Delivery Centre Support Worker ( DCSW) from approximately November 2022 and even though I am not a Family Time worker, they have all made me feel a part of their team, bringing me into their discussions, asking if I want anything when they nip out on their dinner, including me on nights out, helping and covering the front office when needed. Absolutely fab team, hope it may continue. Thank you.
Maggie Heaton
I want to thank each and everyone of the staff at Broadfield House, for the support you gave, the extra hours you completed, the lives you touched, the people you supported well and the fun you had while doing all this. You have all done a fantastic job this year, Thank you. 2023 would be like this with out you all there. Onwards and upwards to 2024.
Lindsey Pickering
I would like to thank the Information and Records Management Service who went through a restructure and the introduction of new ways of working and as ever showed that they embrace every challenge and change with professionalism whilst at the same time ensuring they continue to deliver the service. Thank you all you are a great team!
Johanna Jones
I work with a fantastic small team and manager as a Business Support Officer and it is only through their support and help that I have carried on working through a horrendous year with my husband having aggressive leukaemia and keeping things as normal as possible for my 10-year-old. I couldn't have carried on without my colleague's care and support and I think they are all amazing ❤️❤️
Caroline Burnell
Thank you to Lancashire County Council for providing me with the opportunity to advance from support worker to social care support officer. I have worked for the council since graduating from university in 2004 with a degree in International Business and Economics, and I am loving my new position and the flexibility it provides. I just wanted to express my gratitude.
Patrick Agbewornu
I'd like to thank Rebecca Hull from ICT Strategy and Assurance for her support in purchasing and deploying Widgit software to over 150 colleagues across Education and Children's Services. Rebecca has been so reliable, patient and supportive during the process which has involved gathering information from a wide range of colleagues and then painstakingly ensuring it is successfully downloaded to staff. You have made the process much easier! Thank you
Clare Smith
I'd like to thank all members of the Strategic Participation Board and Lancashire Participation Network who have been really supportive of how we promote and celebrate good quality children and young people's participation within our services this year. With your support this continues to be a priority and current discussion and we continue to strive to be able to evidence and measure the impact children and young people make in how we work. We had 100% completion of our self-assessment tool this year which was excellent and the growth of service-level Participation, Engagement and Co-production groups demonstrates how everyone is working hard within their own context to bring participation to life! Looking forward to 2024.
Clare Smith
2023 has seen Hilltop Lodge Children with Disabilities Overnight Breaks Service complete its first year in operation. It has been an honour and a pleasure to manage the team who have shown amazing commitment, hard work and devotion providing the 4th emergency service to all of the children/young people and their families who access the service.
Shane Kipps
I feel grateful to be part of a Team who are ensuring the children in our care are connected and supported through Lifelong Links. It is a fantastic service to work for, and I have everything crossed for a long future of Lifelong Links.
Amy Reid
I'd like to recognise my team, Lancashire Volunteer Partnership for all the support they have given to me during 2023.. They have faced a few challenging months this year but have always remained professional, committed and passionate about providing the best service possible for our partners, our volunteers and the members of the community they support. I am so privileged to be part of this team and would like to thank them for all their hard work and dedication.
Joanne Latham
A big thanks for all the hard from everyone at Customer Access on implementing the new telephony platform over the last year. It has been an incredible achievement, for us to make as much progress as we have in the short amount of time that we have had available. Everyone has taken the challenges we've faced and overcome them throughout the project. However, this is only the start of this next journey for Customer Access and it's very exciting to think about where we will be in the next couple of years.
Daniel Bates
I think I can speak for all the staff within the sensory impairment team by thanking our team manager James Tween for his continuing support to staff and dedication to the Rehabilitation role/profession and developing the hearing services, since in post, pre and post Covid. Thanks for all your efforts, your hard work and dedication for the team have not gone unnoticed. Thanks James
Michael Bowden
2023 saw my daughter start an internship with Project Search based at County Hall. You are a fabulous team and we have seen her confidence grow day by day. Thank you.
Jackie Lord
I want to say a Huge THANK YOU to the L&D Social Care Commissioning Team for all their hard work and dedication in supporting staff and managers with their professional and personal growth. The team strive to improve the lives of people who need our services by, ensuring staff have the right knowledge and skills, ensure current legislation is adopted and staff are able to adapt to evolving technology. Laura, Lesley, Nasreen, Paul and Sue, I am so proud to have a supportive team and I appreciate each one of you for the contributions you make daily. You all have a positive mindset and continue to perform at your best every day.
Justine McDonagh-Bond
I would like to recognise James Tween as a really supportive manager. I have been with the sensory team for just over 12 months now as an apprentice ROVI. Unfortunately my health and home life have been up and down over the past year and James has been very supportive throughout. Also to Mike Bowden as my Mentor can’t be an easy task!…………, but again he’s been there throughout providing support and encouragement.
Cheryl Irwin
This week we held an end of year celebration event for the Policy, Commissioning and Children's Health Teams. Team members shared the progress made in delivering against priorities within our service plan and it was fantastic to see so many examples of the great work done across commissioning, brokerage and contracts, equality and cohesion and refugee integration - as well as the things that don't neatly fit in to a simple team name! If I could upload all the presentations to share with the world I would do. You have all been brilliant! Thank you
Dave Carr
The communities team meaningfully engage with the residents of Lancashire, giving them an opportunity to influence the services which impact on their health and wellbeing. This year the team have engaged with residents on issues around loneliness, oral health, healthy lifestyles and food insecurity to name just a few! The impact of the team's work has been far reaching, from supporting the recommissioning of services to creating and managing grant pots for activities to keep residents connected, warm and healthy. Our work to tackle loneliness in over 50s was recognised as good practice by the North West Healthy Ageing Forum and our research around healthy lifestyles was published in The Lancet. These are just a few of the team's achievements this year! It is a sign of their commitment and passion that they make such a difference to our resident's day to day lives. We'd like to thank them for their continuous efforts and wish them all a well-deserved rest over the festive period.
Laura Worden, Hajra Sardar and Fiona Cruchley
I want to give a shout-out to my colleagues on the Resources Team for Lancashire's Libraries. They have worked extremely hard all year whilst we have seen quite a few changes to the way we work. They always give 110%, and that isn't exaggeration: often dropping books/plays/music scores at libraries for reading groups/borrowers/choirs/etc. after the day has ended, working late to ensure we meet the needs of our borrowers and spending time at home to make sure we know how to use our new request system. They inspire me every day, set an amazing example and are genuinely lovely people!
Cobie Forshaw
I`d like to say a big thankyou to the whole of the team at Helmshore Textile Mills Museum for a brilliantly successful year. You`ve gone a 110% to make this the fantastic attraction it is and our increasing visitor numbers and popularity is down to your hard work and friendly yet knowledgeable style that comes so naturally to you all. Looking forward to even greater things next season.
Michael Whitworth
Huge recognition for the Customer Access Team - amazing team work with the implementation of STORM! Proud to be part of this team.
I just wanted to make a huge shout out to my manager Kirsty Jones-Simmonds. She has been the most supportive and best manager i have ever had. This year has been a extremely tough for me with personal issues going on outside of work and i couldn't have got through the year and continued to work without her thoughtful advice, guidance and support. It has meant the world to me. Thank you Kirsty!!
Amy-Leigh Doyle
A massive well done to everyone working at Customer Access Services for successfully implementing our new telephony platform over the last year. It has felt like such a busy year with so much change but it has been an incredible achievement. Everyone has adjusted so well during the changes and we end the year on a positive with lots of exciting plans to roll out in the new year.
Charlotte Catterall
A big thank you to colleagues and key stakeholders for all their work this year helping to develop two new supported living schemes for people with Learning, Physical disabilities or people with Autism in Burnley and Lancaster - providing 19 new homes with support and new technology. This has been a fantastic achievement for all involved - I would like to thank the PLO Team in particular for all their help and support over the last 12 months and previous 3 years since it was originally founded.
Ms Dawn L Astin
Well done to Anna Worthing and Matthew Bridgeman of Trading Standards fame for passing their Metrology (legal weights and measures) exams. Trading standard have a number of professional qualifications to take before they can officially become Trading Standards Officers. This is no mean feat so they both deserve a very big CONGRATULATIONS! With this qualification they are now fully qualified and ready to be set out in to the world of metrology to ensure everyone gets a full litre of fuel in the tank, a whole KG of Christmas snacks and a full pint in the pub to wash them down with!
Lara Mason
I want to say a big thank you to all my team managers for the great work they have done this year. There have been some significant challenges and each of them have risen to these with professionalism, commitment and good humour. The teams themselves have also put in a lot of hard work and everyone deserves a big thank you. I feel very proud to be associated with all the work we do within the Public Health Service and look forward to continuing our work next year.
Debbie Thompson
I would like to congratulate my team for the fabulous achievements they have made during 2023. Mail Print and Scan (MPS) have experienced many changes this last year that have led to significant service improvements and I am extremely proud of how every single member of staff have embraced every challenge with passion, enthusiasm and commitment. I am so proud of the help, advice and support we give on a daily basis to our customers, quite often taking on and delivering urgent tasks at very short notice. The regular shout outs we receive as a team are a testament to all your hard work. Thank you to each and every one of the team. Here's to more success in 2024.
Louise Kerr
The Change and Improvement Service team have worked really hard this year to increase our capacity to deliver real change across LCC. Their willingness to constantly learn and develop new skills, to apply them to make things better for staff and customers, and to build strong collaborative links with teams across the Council has been really inspiring; they are a resilient, supportive and enthusiastic group of colleagues who look out for each other, and it's been exciting to see them develop and flourish this year.
John Morrissy
I want to say a huge thanks to Rachael Pimbley and Dave Hole for the work they've done throughout 2023 to develop and support our change programme and their teams. They've worked incredibly hard to help develop new skills and approaches that will put LCC in a really strong position in 2024, where we can make major changes that will have a positive impact across Lancashire. They have really demonstrated our LCC values, by collaborating and supporting colleagues, and pushing innovative options to do things differently. It's been a pleasure to work with them and i look forward to seeing the fruits of their hard work and dedication in 2024!
John Morrissy
A huge thank you from me to the Digital Services Oracle team for working tirelessly to fix over 9000 issues so far, for working weekends to keep the system going and for all of the support and advice you have given to everyone. Its sometimes hard to see all of the excellent work that is going on in the background when there are still issues that need to be fixed. Keep going you really are appreciated!
Peter Lloyd
I want to say a big thank you to the Burnley Library team! They've really made my year special - starting a new job is scary and confusing and I've been taken in and shown the ropes in such a lovely way! I hope we all get to continue to have fun working together in the New Year. Thanks everyone! x
Isabelle Singleton
Opportunity to speak at Peace Vigils and Remembrance Day to share concerns and worries for the world we have in which we live. Sharing some heartfelt words such as Peace Human rights, and social and economic progress remain elusive for far too many. Weapons flow freely across borders, while people are blocked by walls and barbed wires. We pray may the almighty softens the hearts of the heartless humans hurting humanity which will lead to the healing of all broken hearts worldwide. Almighty Lord may there be peace, love, happiness and harmony everywhere forever Ameen. Let's pray for peace as we reflect on sacrifices made by those who gave their lives for our freedom and let their sacrifices not be lost in time. Wishing you all a Happy healthy and peaceful Christmas, New Year and Holidays.
Nazya khalid
Significant progress has been made in Adult Services in 2023 through the hard work, commitment and dedication of all staff and managers across the services. I particularly want to thank those working in Provider Services and Urgent Care, Acute & Prisons for their sterling efforts. They have provided excellent care and support to some of the most vulnerable citizens of Lancashire at a time of major change and I am sure will continue to do so in 2024.
Paul Lee
I would like to thank my colleagues in the Biological Heritage Sites team, who have undertaken over 120 ecology surveys between them this year! They've worked so hard in all weathers and I appreciate everything they do and all that I have learnt from the ecologists since I started last year. Looking forward to next year's survey season programme and here's to 2024!
Phillip
I want to say a huge thank you to every member of the Lancashire Professional Development Service (LPDS) for all their hard work in 2023, supporting Schools across the County. The Team continue to offer the highest quality CPD for Schools that greatly impacts the children of Lancashire. At the same time, the Team have continued to develop resources and offers to Schools to help them with all aspects of Education. Thank you to each and every team member and here is to more success in 2024!
Mike Thompson
Wow, what a year!!! There have been so many changes recently within the Learning Disability and Autism Service but my team has sailed through them all, mainly because they are the most amazing, supportive team I've ever known! I just wanted to wish them all a very Happy Christmas and thank them all for all their hard work, determination, dedication and support over 2023. Everyone has made such a difference for the vulnerable people we have supported, they are all incredible. *Rosie Gorman *Gesa Weitzel *Anna Walkden *Idah Ruzive *Beth Kanuritch *Joseph Terence *Nicki Harrison *Paul Glover *Patrick Agbewornu and *Ashley Stewart.
Jane Bentley
An amazing year for Adult Social Care Business Support, what an astonishing team, making a difference everyday to ensure that the service runs smoothly. A fantastic, friendly, confident and brilliant service. Thank you all.
Charlotte Hammond
I returned home to LCC Cultural Services in August 2023 after a 19-year stint in St Helens Council. It's lovely to be back and I've received a very warm welcome from Cultural Services colleagues so I'd just like to say thanks and here's to 2024!
Kathryn Boothroyd
Becky Halford, Paul Dawson, Amanda Perrett, Angela Guyers, Asima Parveen, Sophie White - and many others. A massive thank you and your teams for all your work in supporting a young man into his own home. There were so many obstacles in his way and you all worked so hard and closely together to make this happen. I feel privileged to have witnessed your dedication, innovation, flexibility, meticulous planning and support for each other. You certainly demonstrated person-centred care. It has been a real success in more ways than one. Wishing you all happiness in 2024 Marie 21/12/2023
Marie Brimecombe
It has been an extremely busy year for the Customer Access Team and I am really proud to say I work for them. With the implementation of our new telephony system, STORM, our Service will continue to improve the excellent customer service we provide to our customers and internal/external colleagues. Although an achievement for all who work at CAS, special thanks need to go to our Customer Service Advisors who work tirelessly every single day. We will continue to achieve our goals in 2024 and beyond.
Nicola Scholes
Been accepted as a Garstang Town Councillor and doing my civic duties in a lovely town and that's saying something coming from Yorkshire.
Raymond Allard
Going to Krakow Poland. My Nephews partner having babies. And one is now pregnant with Twins. (Not my nephew but his girlfriend). And just been me and living life. Because when the moment is gone it is gone.
Stephen Reynolds
I'm hugely proud of all of the teams and people in my Urgent Care, Acute and Prisons service. 2023 has been another difficult year with many challenges along the way, but with their usual determination, commitment and willingness to try new ways of working everyone has continued to work together and achieve extraordinary things, making meaningful differences in peoples' lives every day. There's lots to reflect on and celebrate in the service, take into 2024, and continue the great team work.
Sue Lott
The Business Intelligence Team has supported the council in delivering its objectives by quietly and tirelessly working to provide data, intelligence and insight. The team's work underpins much of the council's business and decision-making and includes undertaking surveys and consultations, producing and submitting high-quality statutory returns, providing dashboards and reports across many directorate service areas, supporting projects and recommissioning services, preparing for and participating in inspections, and providing insight into Lancashire's communities, economy and environment. The team's work is often referred to in meetings and reports and is recognised as contributing to the council's achievements in many areas. So I am very pleased to be able to say a huge thank you to my enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated team members who work collaboratively and respectfully to provide the best possible support to council services in demanding circumstances.
Donna Talbot
I wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone in the CATCH/RPH/CDH Team. Thank You to everyone below for all the work that you do. There are so many people to thank so I apologise if I have missed you out but I appreciate every single person in the team and everyone makes such a significant impact on the people's lives that we work with, I am quite proud to be in this team due to the colleagues that I have that go above and beyond in what they do. CATCH: Jonathon, Saema, Masuda, Jordan, Carrie, Tina, Tom, Lynne, Emma, Tendayi, Sarah, Nicole, Jennifer and Izzy. CDH: Helen, Rita, Brogan, Paige, Shaheena, Daisy, Kathryne, Tadiwa, Katie, Sam, Prison Team and Angela. RPH: Eva, Shaz Omar, Alison Miller , Chloe Turner, Laura Cowell, Jodie, Niki, Emmie, Molly, Jordan, Nichola, Hafiza, Carryn and Khadija.
khadeja huma farhat
I wanted to thank the managers in CATCH/CDH/RPH. Thank You to the managers: Eva, Jonathon, and Helen. Thank You for being supportive of the team and for always advocating on behalf of everyone in the team behind the scenes. I do appreciate you always keeping us in the loop. Thank You Jonathon for all that you do for everyone in the team and for listening to us, in particular, thank you for taking our concerns forward. .You are all strong anchors that allow me a ship to stay steady in a stormy sea. Special Thank You: A massive thank you to Eva, Thank you for being an amazing manager looking after everyone's well-being and allowing us to vent our frustrations. There are not enough words in the world to express my gratitude so I would like to say a simple thank you
khadeja huma farhat
I wanted to say thank you to all the seniors: Rita, Saema, Masuda, Shaz, Alison. Thank You for supporting me with difficult triages and casework, always being a phone call away and supporting me when I have struggled I wanted to thank every single SCSO in the team who has supported me since I started, thanks to Nichola for always reminding me how to refer to day centres and bringing a smile to my day, Tom being an excellent well-being champion, Carryn for bringing everyone together with some joy on Friday and always willing to go the extra mile, Emma for supporting with CDH visits when needed and making me laugh about some of the triages we get, Shaheena for helping me with retirement plans, Nikki for always supporting on weekend. Thanks to the new starters: Molly, Emmie, Tendai, Sarah, and Izzy for being enthusiastic.
khadeja huma farhat
Thank you to my amazing team for another fantastic year together. The support you all give me on a daily basis and encouragement really does help drive ideas and discussions and feels very rewarding
Holly Rackham
To my fellow social workers thanks to my amazing buddy Jordan for always helping to keep my tray tidy ( It's a chaotic mess ), and thanks to Carrie who was a massive support anchor when I first started and helped me manage my first year, Jordan thanks for always allowing me to discuss the cases I have and express my frustrations about DSTS and baking treats for the team. Thank You, Daisy and Jodie, for helping me since I started DST in my first year, thank you to everyone in Finney House supporting me with ward visits or coming together with a plan to achieve the best outcomes I wanted to thank the business support officers: Josh, Eric, and Ethan for always supporting me when required or helping to create contacts for step up when I needed it, thanks for sending out the financial implications. Thanks to Anita for always supporting me when I needed a dpd , and thanks for all the work that you do.
khadeja huma farhat
"The great work done this year by the Stronger and Safer Communities Team, within Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities, includes: • A focus on social isolation and loneliness, through 'Age of Inspiration' events, promoting '5 Ways to Wellbeing' i.e.: o connect o be active o take notice o keep learning o give • The Community Food Grant Scheme provided a grants programme for local organisations that deliver projects to tackle food insecurity • Recognition of the work done in Lancashire to provide victims of domestic abuse with appropriate support in safe accommodation, and wider promotion of a preventive approach to domestic abuse • Successful engagement with Parish and town Councils across Lancashire to promote collaboration and improve communication. Review of the role and priorities of Lancashire Volunteer Partnership, with a focus on community support befriending & helping organisations deliver their social responsibilities in local communities. Thank you all!"
Clare Platt
I would like to say how my amazing Team at Evergreen Lodge have gone above and beyond delivering overnight residential breaks in care for severely disabled children and their families. The year has been full of love, laughter, hard work and an 'OUTSTANDING' from OFSTED.
Tracey Morris
Well, what a challenging and rewarding 2023. Our ECS core Business support teams have been busy supporting services, supporting across teams to help alleviate some critical work where capacity allowed willingly, to support their colleagues and demonstrating excellent collaborative working. We have focused on individual and staff development making use of the performance engagement tool which has highlighted some real focus and ambition for many of our staff members which is encouraging for 2024. We can celebrate some excellent recruitment of new team members who have been warmly welcomed to our work family and we can shout about some of our team members who have progressed to higher grade roles. As a management team, we are very blessed and proud of our Business support teams who are ALWAYS willing to help support the services. Thank you so much to everyone and looking forward to working with you all in 2024. Enjoy a well-earned Christmas break. Julie
Julie Lee
I am proud of the Lancashire House Project. This year we successfully collaborated with four Registered Social Landlords and eight of our care-experienced young people got permanent homes for independence. These Young People are settled and we look forward to further collaboration next year to get more homes for our next group of young people. I am also really proud of the Network Event careers fair that our young people co-produced. Our young people created a video to explain the needs of care experienced young people for the audience, they carried out a successful business pitch for facilities, food and goodies at the event. There were 30 stands from different employment, education and training organisations in the afternoon giving information and advice to 71 care experienced young people. It was a fantastic event and was carried out in collaboration with The Exchange, Future U, the Development Team from the Permanence Service, Virtual School and the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub.
Nic Brooks
We've had an amazing year in Customer Access. We implemented a new telephony system facing and overcoming some massive, and sometimes unexpected, barriers and challenges. We continue to make significant improvements to automation of customer contacts and the overall customer experience across all our channels. We have also implemented a new and much-improved knowledge database (the key tool our advisors use to answer customer enquiries) and we will be implementing improved payments processes and other enhancements in the New Year. We'll be reviewing, and at pace, all the services we deliver in the New Year with some very exciting ideas on how we can make further service delivery improvements. Everyone in the service contributed to a great '23 and we're all up for more in '24.
Ged MacLennan
I would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the catering team at Lytham St Anne's High School for the successful mobilisation of the new school catering facilities. The school moved into their brand new facilities during the Easter break and the catering team had a matter of days to get the kitchen ready for the student's return. The whole team had to pull together to overcome a tight mobilisation deadline, staff shortages, new equipment failures and students getting used to the new facilities. Despite the overwhelming difficulties, the team managed the process seamlessly whilst also ensuring customer satisfaction and increased daily sales. Lucinda Ruddy, Schools and Residential Care Catering
Lucinda Ruddy
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Care Catering team in supporting the opening of a brand new home for older people – Bowgreave Rise. The cutting-edge £7m building, run by Older People's Care Services, has replaced the older Bowgreave Rise Care Home. The catering team, supported by Angela Dawson, Catering Manager for Older Peoples Care Catering, and her team, put on a fantastic buffet spread for the official opening and Suzanne Robertson, Unit Catering Supervisor from Milbank Home for Older People, made a wonderful celebration cake to mark the event.
Diane Hunt
The Schools and Residential Care Catering management team had a busy start to the year, tendering over 20 individual fresh, frozen and grocery food Lots. Working in conjunction with our excellent colleagues in LCC Procurement, the team updated individual product specifications across each food category, included an enhanced rebate requirements, updated legislative requirements and successfully awarded contracts with significant cost savings. This was achieved at the time when food inflation was running at its highest rate in 40 years, so the achievement of cost savings was particularly notable. The new arrangements, which came into place in September, saw improved nutritional qualities for the food we serve to Lancashire residents and an increase in products and produce from Lancashire suppliers. The broader food procurement strategy contributes towards environmental impact reductions, with >90% of Lancashire food supplies being delivered via a central distribution hub arrangement.
Hayley Stafford
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Schools & Residential Care Catering menu development team in achieving ongoing accreditation to Sugarwise Gold award for our primary school menus. The Sugarwise catering mark on school menus means that they provide options that are low in “free sugars”. These are sugars and sweeteners that need to be limited in the diet because they are contributors to childhood obesity and tooth decay. The gold award meets World Health Organisation guidance for the higher and lower target levels of calorific intake from free sugars, ensuring our continued commitment to feeding the future of Lancashire with healthy and nutritious meals.
Hayley Stafford
Moving into 2024 has given us time to reflect on the past year and for me, to recognise how dedicated West Lancs Mental Health Social Care team have been. Not only to each other, with great team spirit, but to other colleagues across the service. Most importantly the team have continued to provide really meaningful, goal-focused support to residents of West Lancs and their families and carers which has improved their wellbeing. The benefits of this support have been recognised and we have received many compliments from people and their families which has been lovely. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the team for everything they do, day in and day out to ensure they are delivering the best of themselves and the best service to the people we support. You are an amazing team and I feel lucky to be your manager.
Andrea Lawlor
The last 12 months have been somewhat of a fantastic and very busy year for Customer Access Staff, with numerous improvements being made to the services we deliver, along with the implementation of a new telephone platform. All staff have been very reactive and taken a positive approach to the changes we have made whilst ensuring there is very minimal impact to our customers. I'm very excited to be apart of Customer Access and what the future holds for us. Well done to everyone, 2023 was certainly a year to remember with lots more to come!
Sarah Dandy
The service has had another busy year through 2023 with some fantastic achievements; working with around 15,000 people, supporting 93% of people discharged from hospital to return directly home with a corresponding reduction in the number of people needing to access care home support. Over 5000 people leaving hospital were supported to access Reablement, enabling them to receive a supported, therapy led intervention to regain lost independence. Our Home Recovery Hospital Discharge scheme supported 142 people in 2023, including unpaid carers with small grants to enable them to provide short term support to help their friends and relatives recover at home. Our Prisons team have worked with men needing care, support and statutory interventions in the 5 Lancashire Prisons, improving wellbeing, dignity in care, and meeting care and support needs during and beyond release. Well done to everyone in the teams and service, it's been a busy, but highly successful year!
Recognition for the work of the Facilities Management Service in delivering the refurbishment of the council chamber and committee rooms this year which has not been done for many decades and will hopefully last for many more to come. Feedback from Councillors and staff alike has been very positive and a huge thank you to the team for both their creative and technical input but also for balancing this workload to ensure an exacting programme of delivery to minimise impact on council business.
Clare Joynson
Recognition for a great example of collaborative working across FM, Business Intelligence and digital services in designing a tool to monitor the utilisation of our buildings which helps to inform planning for office accommodation needs, understand the demand for certain locations and workplace types, provide intelligence to services on their individual usage levels, and support planning and decision making for the property review strategy. The tool uses data from four existing systems and converts that data into a management information reporting tool using Power BI to create charts on the performance of our buildings. As property is a very costly overhead it is imperative we ensure we are maximising the opportunities for making the most efficient use of space, understanding the needs of services and driving out savings where it is possible to do so, as this allows LCC to focus resources in the areas of greatest need for the residents of Lancashire.
Clare Joynson
A huge thank you to Melanie Greenslade of Bus Intell, Vishal Mistry, James Rankin and Thomas Holden Of Digital Services and Gary Young, Dawn Smith, Matthew Greaves and Andrew Clarkson of the FM service for their contributions to this project over the past year.
Clare Joynson