LACE Housing Celebrates Dedicated Staff and Volunteers

As another year draws to a close, Lincolnshire specialist housing provider LACE Housing recognised the hard work of its staff and volunteers at its 20^th annual celebration evening.

The event took place on Friday (29^th November) at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lincoln, where staff, volunteers and representatives from partner organisations gathered to reflect on another successful year.

Special awards were presented to individuals and teams in six categories in which the winners had been chosen by a panel of LACE Housing colleagues.

Resident Carol Bateman was announced as winner of the Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, for her voluntary work for Friends of LACE Housing and at Olsen Court in Lincoln, while the Behind the Scenes award, sponsored by Amber Fire, was given to Specialist Housing Manager Emma Ward.

The Mentor award, sponsored by Peachy Events, went to Nicola Cartwright in recognition of her work as a Hospitality Assistant at Worth Court in Bourne, and this year’s Dedication award, sponsored by Thornton-Firkin LLP, was given to James Presswood for his loyalty to the hospitality team at Olsen Court.

Sponsored by Shooting Star, the Good Idea award was presented to Vicky Black and Lisa Taylor for their introduction of new systems within the association’s payroll department.

This year, LACE Housing residents nominated 12 members of staff from across the association for the Customer Service award, which was sponsored by HCS Catering and given to Support Co-ordinator Natasha Smith, who works at LACE Housing’s extra care scheme Olsen Court in Lincoln.

The Board of Management award was presented to Asset Manager Phil Wilks by LACE Housing Chairman Bob Walder, who also presented this year’s Contractor of the Year award to Lincoln Security.

Volunteers and staff were recognised for their service and qualifications gained during the year.

Pictured are LACE volunteers who received certificates for their years of service. Back row (L-R) Scott Studd, John Lingard, Mary Brown, and Elliot Chambers. Front row (L-R) Carol Bateman, Karen Chambers, Chris Smith, Julie Wright, Karen Seddon and John Ellis.

The evening is designed to recognise and celebrate LACE Housing’s successes through a series of presentations delivered by Chief Executive Nick Chambers and members of the Board of Management.

Throughout 2019 the organisation has built 82 new homes for older people in Lincolnshire and raised over £4,000 for other charities including P3 Lincolnshire, St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, Kids and North Hykeham Day Centre.

Nick, who celebrated 20 years as LACE Housing’s Chief Executive earlier this year and also received a surprise special award for service, said: “It is a privilege to work alongside an amazing team of staff and volunteers who strive daily to deliver quality services to the highest possible standard. Their energy, enthusiasm and dedication are beyond words but the outcome is clear to see.

“Our celebration evening is highly anticipated by everyone throughout the year and it’s fantastic to recognise their service and support, especially as staff and residents nominate all finalists themselves.

“This has been an incredibly busy but successful year for the association and we are very much looking forward to 2020.”

Pictured (L-R) are Nick Chambers, Chief Executive of LACE Housing, and Bob Walder, Chairman of LACE Housing.