Two projects helping Croydon Council’s staff have been recognised for their good work and shortlisted for prestigious awards.
The council is in with a chance to win the apprenticeship employer of the year and the diversity & inclusion – public sector categories at the Personnel Today Awards 2018.
The Choose Your Future apprenticeship programme, which has seen more than 30 new apprentices employed since October 2017, has been shortlisted by the judges. They also shortlisted the Mental Health & Wellbeing support network, which helps people cope with everything from mental health issues, to the menopause and eating disorders.
The winners will be announced at a special event on Wednesday 21 November.
The Mental Health & Wellbeing group includes 140 members, 78 mental health first aiders and 40 workplace champions.
The network has set up an online resource highlighting available support, created a weekly digest, promoted mindfulness meditation workshops and, together with the women’s network, helped establish a menopause support group.
This has reduced absences related to stress, depression and anxiety and led to 82% of staff feeling comfortable discussing their mental health in the workplace.
The Choose Your Future apprenticeship campaign is giving young people the chance to access opportunities and make positive life choices.
The new apprentices are from the local community. In total 85% of the first cohort were from a black Asian or minority ethnic background, and have an average age of 20 with 97% of them being between 16 and 24.
Jo Negrini, chief executive of Croydon Council, said: “It’s fantastic that these two excellent schemes have been recognised for a second time.
“Our apprenticeship award won a category at the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion awards while the Mental Health & Wellbeing group was highly commended, the menopause work was shortlisted for another category and Croydon won public sector employer of the year all at the same event.
“We are always looking at how we can support our staff to do the best possible job.”
Click here to find out more about the apprenticeship programme.
“I’m tremendously proud of the work going into supporting our staff.
“Croydon is leading from the front and encouraging employers to see the benefits of welcoming an apprentice to join their teams. Meanwhile the excellent staff support networks offer peer-support and encouragement to anyone who needs it.”
Councillor Simon Hall, cabinet member for finance and resources
