YMCA Norfolk honours its outstanding staff
YMCA Norfolk staff from across the county have been honoured for outstanding service to the Christian charity in a first-ever awards and celebration event. Keith Morris reports.
 The staff and volunteer celebration was held at the Norwich Family Life Church centre on Mason Road in Norwich, attended by around 100 staff and volunteers from all over Norfolk.
Five staff, each with over ten years’ service to the charity, were given long-service awards. They were Executive Team Administrator Janet Payne, Receptionist Sue Hawes, Housing Manager Martin Rye, Key Worker Les Gosling and Housekeeper Tanya Davison.
The inaugural YMCA Norfolk Awards received over 150 nominations and countless glowing testimonials from colleagues and clients alike.
Awards were given to Volunteer of the Year Amanda Nicholls, who has been a volunteer in the catering department at St Giles for over 17 years, has seen over 221,000 meals been prepared. Newcomer of the Year went to Amanda Timby, Key Worker at Throckmorton Yard, to recognise her outstanding contribution as a new team member.
Team of the Year went to the Schools & Community team, led by Nick Blanch (pictured above) for their sterling work in a number of schools despite massive cuts to their funding. The Leadership Award went to Keith Willers, in recognition of him management qualities, and the Bright Ideas Award was given to Rachel Scott and the Norwich Supported Lodgings team, whose work enables the YMCA to reach far more young people than they would be able to otherwise.
The Behind the Scenes Award went to Management Accounts and Payroll Officer, Catherine Brown for her support to staff, in particular in making sure they get paid on time, and the Unsung Hero Award was given to Mike Howard for his work with hard to reach young people.
Emma Thompson, from King’s Lynn, was named Youth Worker of the Year for her amazing commitment to young people during a year of great changes.
The Outstanding Employee of the Year Award went to Emmanuel Kouadria for his work within the Supporting Lodgings Team and for his flexible approach in extending services to more young people in need.
All the staff and volunteers were treated to lunch and each undertook two workshops in either drawing, aromatherapy, flower arranging, carpentry, Zumba and chocolate tasting.
Chief executive, Tim Sweeting, said: “It is fantastic to see so many of our colleagues and volunteers here today. It gives some idea of the scale of the work right across the county. There has been a lot of change over the past year and this is our way of saying thank you for all that you do. You are here because you are passionate about young people and I am confident about the future of our organisation because of your enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism towards the young people we serve.”
Chairman, Richard Pennington, said: “It is so exciting to see you are getting involved in the lives of young people, helping meet their needs right where they are and getting them through some difficult times. It is also exciting to appreciate that the work of the YMCA goes right across the county from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth and Thetford.”
You can see lots of the pictures of the Awards and Celebration Day, taken by Julia Holland, below.
You can view even more pictures of the day, taken by Julian Bright, here on YouTube
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