Double Success at Wakefield Business Awards

We were delighted when we heard our Hospice had been shortlisted for two awards in this year's We are Wakefield Business Awards. We were nominated for 'Charity of the Year' and 'Independant Retail or Hospitality Business of the Year'. The awards evening took place on Thursday 9 November and we are thrilled to have won both awards!

Representing our Hospice on the night we Jo Schofield, Director of Clinical Services, Kevin Hogarth, Retail Operations Manager, Sam Johnson, Trust and Major Donor Fundraiser and Flair Hillas, Casual Retail Assistant.

Claire Sutherley, Managing Director of We are Wakefield said: "It is with great pleasure and excitement that I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your DOUBLE success at the Wakefield Business Awards! This is truly a massive achievement, and one that speaks volumes about the exceptional quality of your entry. The standards this year were extraordinarily high, and all categories were closely contested, making your success all the more impressive. Your hard work and commitement have truly set a standard for excellence in Wakefield's business comminuty.

Here is what the judge said about our Chairty of the Year award:
"It's clear you have been really strategic in the changes made - the CCEO idea is very innovative and it's clear what the financial and professional development benefits are. The changes have obviously had the right impact on both staff, patients and their families. It was good to see the conection between the Hospice and MYHT and the approach to sharing skills seems eminently sensible. Quotes from the team and families were really impactful - I definitely had a little weep at some of them."

"Very impressed with the introduction of the Collaborative Chief Executive Office and how this has assisted in creating a much more dynamic sharing of responsibilities with department leads now joined in one common goal. The recognition that investment in employee and manager training is crucial is clearly evident to see."

Jo Schofield, Director of Clinical Services accepted this award on behalf of the Hospice and said: "It was an amazing night, the closest I'm likely to get to an Oscars experience. I was immensely proud to go up onto the stage with Kevin, Sam and Flair to accept the awards on behalf of all our wonderful staff and volunteers. While we don't do what we do for prizes and accolades it is very gratifying to be recognised for the brilliant work we do and the very real difference it makes."

For Retail of the Year the judges remarked:
"It was great to see so much evidence of how you're continuously striving to improve and develop both the shops and also your people which are both of great benefit to the local community. You've based yourself at the heart of so many communities and have shown creative ways of helping people whilst raising money."

"Strong purpose and values demonstrated, including how you overcome challenges faced during Covid, how you have improved customer service, recruitment of volunteers."

Kevin Hogarth, Retail Operations Manager said: "The evening was hugely enjoyable. To have been shortlisted for an award was an honour in itself but to hear the name of the Hospice announced as the winner in our category (retail and hospitality) was thrilling!! Walking up to collect the award on behalf of the Hospice will be a moment I'll actually remember for a long time as I felt immensely proud to be part of such a fantastic organisation."

We would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone whose efforts have led to these awards. What an incfedible achievement!