Special Edition

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The 2011 Mountbatten Award – Making it happen, turning an idea into reality. Putting the Service User at the centre of what we do is fundamental to our organisation. It influences the culture of our services and shapes how people work and recognises that there is no single approach that can be applied to caring for and supporting people.

This award was presented to our East Kent Stepahead Team.

The East Kent Stepahead Support team run a Participation Group and they are always looking for new ideas to help raise funds for Stepahead Support. So, after a few ideas were bounced around they came up with an idea of a market stall.

A location was soon found which was at the Market Place outside the Margate office. Emails were sent out for items to be donated and before long they were flooded with items to sell. The team arranged to sort and price the incoming goods for the stall and arrange for delivery to the market stall. On the day, the team work was amazing, the young people also learned new skills, including dealing with customers, handling money and how charities really work. The whole day was a huge success with £700 raised on the day.

The market stall has now become a regular event but the team are always continually thinking of new ideas to raise funds.

The Mountbatten Award

WINNEREAST KENTSTEPAHEAD

TEAM

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I recall the build up to our inaugural Stars Awards in 2011 where the post awards euphoria reaching fever pitch levels. I asked myself would the 2012 awards achieve the same heights? I really shouldn’t have worried! From the moment the nominations started rolling in for the 2012 Awards it was clear that the bar, that had already been set high, was going to be raised again. In total we received 110 nominations across all categories and the judging panel had a real job to whittle them down to a long list, then a shortlist, as the overall standard of nominations was so high.

With the help of our sponsors the Organising Team were able to create a fantastic venue, bedecked and resplendent, in our corporate colours with glitter and balloons placed strategically throughout the venue.

The evening was compered by TV star Mark Moraghan, whose singing voice certainly overshadowed his jokes, but his scouse banter kept the evening moving on at a good pace.

So, to the awards! Evidence of how difficult the judges found their task were the numbers of ‘joint’ runners up there were across several categories, but in each category the winners were clear and really stood out from the rest. This year we had our first acceptance speech from a winner! Theresa Dengate, who won the Stepahead Keyworker of the Year award, took to the microphone to thank her colleagues and her manager for their support and was clearly delighted to have won the ultimate accolade. Has Theresa started a trend? We’ll have to see next year.

A special word for the East Kent Stepahead team who won the prestigious Mountbatten Award. The judging panel described their fundraising project that involved the young people they support, from the start to finish as ‘an outstanding example of putting the young people in control from start to finish’. Congratulations to everybody involved.

As ever, a huge vote of thanks goes to the Organising Team for pulling the whole evening together. Once again, they did the organisation proud.

Can the bar be set even higher next year? I have a funny feeling it can!

…and finally…’note to self. Cedric, leave the dancing to those who can!’

Cedric FrederickChief Executive

Introduction

Established 1990. Avante Partnership

A Company Limited by Guarantee(Registration No. 2565021, England)A Registered Charity(Registered No.1002727)

Registered office: De Gelsey House, 1 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent ME13 8GD

Tel: 01795 597400 Fax: 01795 597419Email: enquiries@avantepartnership.org.ukWebsite: www.avantepartnership.org.uk

Working with:

Members of:• National Housing Federation

• The National Care Forum

• Kent Community Care Association

• IAHSA

This category was awarded to the Care Worker of the Year in our care homes or the Community Carer in Community Support who has done the most to go ‘the extra mile’ in the delivery of our Mission and Philosophy of Care in support of the people, or person we care for and support.

The winner of this award was Karen Ford, Team Leader at Barton Court, for her tireless work in enhancing the lives of those living at Barton Court. Karen works hard to make sure that the lives of those around her are happy and fulfilled, always going the extra mile to bring a smile from those in her care.

The runner up for Care Worker of the Year was Joanne Harper, Team Leader at Amherst Court and 2nd Runner up was Fran Coker, Team Leader at Riverdale Court.

This category was awarded to the member of staff who has been a great team mate or colleague and great to work alongside.

The winner of this award was Majure Chakawata who is always willing to learn new things so she can communicate and interact with the residents better.

When residents are new to Homeleigh, Majure is always there to make them feel comfortable and she becomes the residents trusted person. Majure is a dedicated individual and is liked by residents and family members.

The runner up for Colleague of the Year was Wendy Davies, Team Leader at Barnetts and the joint 2nd Runners up were Adam Bradley, Stepahead Administrator, Head Office and Sandra Smith, Support Officer, Meadows Court. (John lockwood collected Sandra’s award)

Care Worker of the Year

Colleague of the Year

This category was awarded to the Keyworker who has done the most to ‘go the extra mile’ in the delivery of Stepahead Support’s Mission and Philosophy of Care.

The winner was Theresa Dengate, Keyworker at Canterbury, who has demonstrated anentrepreneurial and optimistic approach to Stepahead Support throughout her time of working with the service. Theresa is a dedicated individual who has a very positive attitude which is always reflected in her work with young people.

The runner up for the Keyworker of the Year was Louise Mulliss, Keyworker at Margate and the 2nd runner up was Anna MacCormack, Keyworker at Gravesend.

Stepahead SupportKeyworker of the Year

This category was awarded to the manager within the organisation who has shown the greatest leadership and support; inspiring their team and epitomising the ‘Avante Way’ of leadership and management, demonstrating accountability, responsibility and trust in their role.

The winner was Michelle Elliott, Home Manager at Amherst Court, who is known for her innovative thinking, flexibility and team building skills.

Joint runners up for Manager of the Year were, Julie Ayres, Manager at Honeyfield and Angela Johnson, Operations Manager for Stepahead Support.

Manager of the Year

WINNERTHERESADENGATE

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WINNERMICHELLEELLIOTT

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WINNERKARENFORD

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WINNERMAJURE

CHAKAWATA

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A big thank youto our sponsorsThis category was awarded to a staff member

or staff team who has contributed the most to support the delivery of front line services.

The winner of this award was Peter Larkin who is always cheerful towards residents and staffand he undertakes any task asked of him.

Runner up for Supporter of the Year was Emma McPherson, ICT Technician, Head Office, and joint 2nd runners up for this award were Ashley Roberts, Activities Co-ordinator at Court Regis and Suzi Payne, Head Cook at Court Regis.

Supporter of the Year

WINNERPETER

LARKIN

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www.avantepartnership.org.uk

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email please contact Karen Flynn, PA to the Chief Executive, at

kflynn@avantepartnership.org.uk

Mission StatementsIt is very important that everyone working under the Avante Partnership umbrella

are aware of what we do and why we do it. Below are our Mission Statements:

Avante Partnership Mission

‘Enabling people to realise their potential and have

opportunities to live the lives they choose’

Avante Care & Support Mission

‘To enhance quality of life by providing creative support that respects

individual choices and aspirations’

Avante Community Support Mission

‘Exists to enable people to live as independently as possible’

Stepahead Support Mission

‘...make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people, their

families and communities through tailored, specialist support’