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Thank You Event 2022: Colleague of the Year - Joint Winner

Every year we celebrate our amazing staff and their achievements at our pop-up Thank You ceremony. Board members will pop into video meetings to surprise colleagues and present them with a hamper for being shining examples of our magnificent staff behaviours.

Ruth Mercer, Speech and Language Therapist, is a joint winner of our Colleague of the Year award.

Colleague of the Year – Joint Winner

Ruth Mercer is a Speech and Language Therapist who, as well as working hard on her own caseloads, has ardently supported students with their development and passionately helped them to build their confidence by being “the perfect mentor”. Her relentless support for her colleagues and enthusiasm for her work is a highlight of her nomination. Passionate about her specialism, Ruth also runs groups for ‘Sunshine and Smiles’ for children with Down Syndrome and their families.

Ruth was nominated by Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTA), Debbie Jarvis, Sharon McDermott, Valentina Lapenna, Michelle Spendley and Gemma Moore.

Their praise for her included: “Ruth is always able to see the positive in any situation and is always there to listen and support the team making everyone feel valued, welcome and inspired. She is one of the kindest, selfless people we know, she speaks from the heart and is passionate about the children and families she works with. Her enthusiasm knows no bounds and she just takes it all in her stride, never complaining. She makes the members of the team feel appreciated and tells everybody how proud she is of our work. The motivation that she provides to the team is invaluable. It is a pleasure to work with Ruth and she is a very valued member of the team.”

Sam Prince, Executive Director of Operations, and Laura Smith, Director of Workforce, surprised Ruth and praised her for her tremendous work. Laura said: “In this year more than any other, it has been challenging for people to find time to write nominations. So for this many members of your team to come together and write all these words about you, you’re clearly an incredible person. Thank you so much for everything you do every day, it clearly works, not just for the children and families that you support but for the people who are around you, who truly value you.”

Sam added, “Looking at the words people have written about you, I just think you are the embodiment of the values we talk about in this organisation. The one that stands out for me is caring for people, because people talk about the work you do with children and young people and their families but also how people receive you as a colleague made me well up when I read the nomination. You should be very proud that your colleagues think of you in such glowing terms.

HC COLLEAGUE OF YEAR

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