31 mins
Transforming lives
I HAD the pleasure of being invited to attend the annual CrossReach Awards celebration in the General Assembly Hall in Edinburgh at the end of May.
Never having attended before, it was an inspiring occasion, with recognition for dozens of staff who had taken advantage of CrossReach’s extensive training programme to further their professional careers and for those staff who have served with CrossReach for an extended period of time.
In many of the ‘service’ findustries, the front-line staff seldom get any real form of public recognition for the work they do, and this occasion was an inspiring way to show them that they were appreciated and respected for the work they do.
Around 200 CrossReach staff and guests attended a Service of Celebration and the guest speaker was the BBC’s Health Editor Hugh Pym who is also an elder at London: St Columba’s. The Moderator the Rt Rev Susan Brown delivered an address, taking Psalm 100 as her theme.
Mr Pym, whose wife Susan served eight years on the Social Care Council which oversees the work of CrossReach, said: “This is an all good news day celebrating the amazing and valuable work of CrossReach.”
Among the awards on the day, the Ian Manson Award for Adult Learner of the Year (in memory of a former chief executive) was presented to Anne Boyd, Senior Practitioner, Threshold Housing and Residential Support. The Ian Manson
Award for Excellence went to the team from Whinnieknowe Care Home, Nairn. The Award for Volunteer of the Year was presented to Sarah Lewis, Morven Day Services, Kilmarnock and Employee of the Year went to Margaret Morrison, Activities Co-ordinator, Cameron House, Inverness.
Long service Awards were also presented to staff with 20, 30 and even 40 years service. Commending the dedication of CrossReach staff, Bill Steele, Convener of the Social Care Council, said: “Ian Somerville was one of those to whom it was my pleasure to present a long service award. In Ian’s case the award marked forty years with us.
“Every time I attend meetings at our Head Office, Charis House – I’m assured of a smile and a word from Ian. It is that kfind of friendliness and willingness to work together to a common end that is so special. It makes me, and countless numbers of others, feel welcomed into the CrossReach family whether that be in our Head Office or in a Care Home or a Prison Visitor Centre
“One of the highlights of my year as Convener is both attending and having the privilege alongside some of our directors and guests from the Church to be involved in the Service of Celebration – our awards ceremony.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to hear of the many achievements and qualifications covering a wide range of disciplines that have been gained by so many staff members over a relatively short twelve month period.
“Every time I attend meetings at our Head Oice, Charis House – I’m assured of a smile and a word from Ian. It is that kfind of friendliness and willingness to work together to a common end that is so special. ”
“I have also been amazed to learn the number of our staff who have worked for us for 20, 30 and even 40 years. We live in an age when long term involvement is often dismissed as old fashioned. These 25 staff members we thanked have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the caring work CrossReach undertakes in Christ’s name and on behalf of the Church of Scotland and which is so much appreciated.
“I count it an honour to be able to acknowledge once again the huge contribution that our entire staff team makes to our work – they are CrossReach!”
Corinne Morrison-Gillies, Head of HR Operations and People Development said: “I sense at every gathering I attend – whether that be Council meetings, visits to our various operational centres, the annual Christmas devotions or any such similar occasion just how much of a ‘family feel’ there is in the organisation and how much that vital element helps in so many ways.”
Moderator Rt. Rev. Susan Brown
Margaret Morrison, Employee of the Year
“Hugh Pym said, ‘We should all be proud of the great work you do at CrossReach and we salute your achievements.’ “ “Hugh Pym summed up what for me the celebration was about. The CrossReach team go above and beyond what is required 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and the staff service of celebration is an opportunity each year to recognise them and take time out for them and to publicly thank them. It is a privilege to be able to do so whilst keeping our Christian ethos at the heart of what we do, to come together to celebrate, sing, pray and thank God for providing us with such a dedicated team of men and women who work so hard to serve in your name.”
The celebration recognises staff across all areas from CrossReach services, including those for older people, adult care, children and families, along with central services staff who work behfind the scenes to enable our front line staff to directly care and support our service users. One of the recipients of recognition for 40 years service (what an achievement!) was Ian, a member of the Estates team based at Charis House.
Jackie Walker’s prayer of dedication this year echoed the thoughts of all in attendance:
‘Thank you Lord for providing us with such a dedicated team of men and women who work so hard in your service and in your name. We pray for each and every one of them that they would keep you as the focus of their life.’”
Viv Dickenson, CrossReach chief executive and Secretary of the Social Care Council, said: “The staff service of celebration allows us to pay tribute to our staff for the learning they have undertaken to allow them to offer service to others. That learning has not only a powerful effect on thousands of findividuals each year, but also the communities around them. Our staff are remarkable change makers and their commitment and dedication is seen throughout the organisation.
“This is the day for us to say well done on the successes achieved over the last year, both in the learning they have done and for the all of the achievements which have followed.
Closing the ceremony she said: “Thank you for the way you have used that learning to transform the lives of those who turn to us for support in often very challenging circumstances.”
This article appears in the August 2018 Issue of Life and Work
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