The achievements of inspirational Shaw Trust officer June Fitzgerald in helping people with disabilities to find work, were recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony on Tuesday (Dec 5th).
June was handed a Personal Commitment Award for her outstanding efforts, by Chairman of Cheshire Council, Cllr Neville Price at the Cheshire Positive Awards for Business 2006.
She is an amazing lady, her ability to work so hard on a customerís behalf is astounding, said Eithne Curbishley, the Disability Employment Adviser at Northwich Job Centre who nominated June.
Customers cannot speak too highly of her and we want her and her organisation to know how much she means to us as a team. She is the essence of dedication and the support she gives our customers is immeasurable, she added.
June, 52, who has worked for national employment charity Shaw Trust for two and a half years said: I was thrilled to be recognised, but I am lucky because Iím doing a job I love and getting a huge buzz out of helping people every day.
This kind of award ceremony is very important to help raise the profile of employing people with disabilities, many more employers need to be made aware of the issues.
As a Workprep Development Officer I help people get a foot in the door - a six week placement in the world of work where they can test the water and find out whether they are ready to return to work, said June, who deals with many challenging cases referred to her by Job Centre Plus.
June came to the Trust with a valuable 21 years experience in the recruitment business, and since she joined has successfully placed some 200 people into workprep places, of which 20 were offered permanent jobs and 60 more have gone on to paid employment. She often continues to provide on-going support when clients are in paid jobs.
My role with Shaw Trust is so more rewarding because I build a special relationship with all the clients I work with. I donít mind working evenings, weekends, I do whatever I can to help them.
When I first meet them some are so shy they canít even look me in the eye. I see them gaining in confidence and going out into a job and I really get a buzz out of that, she said.
Shaw Trust Regional Manager Teresa Lloyd praised Juneís contribution as an inspiration to clients and colleagues alike:
I was delighted when I heard June was receiving this award, she has enabled so many of our clients to achieve more than they ever dreamed.
To have that dedication and commitment recognized in this way is a fitting tribute to Juneís ability to provide the right level of support and encouragement at the right time.
The awards, now in their fourth year, are organised by Cheshire County Council with the aim of recognising good practice in employers who have a track record in the recruitment, employment and retention of disabled people.
Award organiser Jane Stanley-McCrave said: We receive nominations from companies, councils and individuals in eight categories and also made four special awards this year.
It is a valuable way of recognising and highlighting where good practice is taking place among employers in Cheshire.
Shaw Trust partnership organisation Warrington Hospital which recently offered two workprep clients paid employment, also scooped two runners up awards.
Amazing June scoops top award - Shaw Trust
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