A dedicated group of employees and volunteers from Lincoln-based LACE Housing were recognised at an awards evening at the Bentley Hotel in Lincoln on Friday.

LACE Housing’s 17^th annual awards and presentation evening on 25^th November was held to congratulate the organisation’s staff and volunteers who have completed qualifications, achieved long service or provided invaluable support to the non-profit-making organisation over the years.

Nick Chambers, Chief Executive of LACE Housing, said: “Our team provides vital assistance at many supported housing developments across Lincolnshire including Brick Kiln Place in Grantham, Olsen Court in Lincoln and Worth Court in Bourne.

“Our awards evening was a wonderful way to celebrate our loyal and hard-working staff and volunteers. I would like to personally congratulate everyone who was nominated.”

Four LACE Housing staff were congratulated on their recent qualifications and two employees received awards for 10 years’ service with the association.

Awards were also presented to 19 volunteers and Friends of LACE Housing Association in recognition of their dedication to the organisation and hard work.

In addition, eight volunteers and staff received recognition awards and six more received runners up certificates. The winners included:

• Outstanding Contribution sponsored by Thornton Firkin: Gary Willgoose, Chef and Restaurant Supervisor at Olsen Court in Lincoln.
• Unsung Hero sponsored by Stewart Austin: Nicola Cartwright, Kitchen and Restaurant Assistant at Worth Court in Bourne.
• Best Team, sponsored by EPS: Olsen Court.
• Volunteer of the Year sponsored by MAP Flooring: Ian Rumbold, Volunteer at Brick Kiln Place in Grantham.
• Excellence Awards sponsored by Investors in Excellence: Gary Falkinder, Finance Assistant at LACE House in Lincoln.
• Customer Service sponsored by SCS: Di Williamson, Support Co-ordinator, Worth Court
• Committee of Management Special Award sponsored by LACE Housing Association: Lace House.
• Contractor of the Year sponsored by LACE Housing Association: Thornton Firkin.

During the event a cheque for £5,005.84 was presented to Alice Crookenden from the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation (NSIF) which LACE Housing supported as its 2016 charity of the year.

The funds were raised by staff who got involved in a 110-mile sponsored walk along the Cleveland Way, a sponsored marathon run and row, a car wash, raffle and Christmas jumper day.

Nick added: “We were delighted to welcome Claire Lomas, Patron of Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, to our awards evening last year.

“Claire, who became paraplegic following a riding accident in 2007, spoke passionately about how, despite her injuries, she raised nearly half a million pounds to support spinal injury research.

“Inspired by her story the team rallied around to raise as much as possible in aid of the charity. Having a charity of the year provides us with an opportunity to give back and we’re proud to be doing it again in 2017.”

Details of the charity of the year for 2017 will be announced in the new year.

For more information about LACE Housing please visit: www.lacehousing.org

Notes to editors:

• LACE Housing is a voluntary, non-profit making association with charitable status providing specialist housing and support services for older people in Lincolnshire.
• LACE Housing provides housing with extra care for older people with high support and personal care needs and sheltered accommodation for those who want to retain more independence.
• It is the leading social housing provider in Lincolnshire specialising in a wide range of housing and support services.
• LACE Housing is a member of the Lincs Independent Living Partnership currently delivering the Lincolnshire Wellbeing Service which includes personal support, simple aids, minor home adaptations, telecare services and rapid response services.
• For more information visit www.lacehousing.org

For media information contact:
Kerri Saxby
Shooting Star
01522 528540
kerri@weareshootingstar.co.uk
[LACE05Awards]