Marjorie Haynes: Winner of the Impact Award
Marjorie Haynes was home when she heard the news that she had just won the Impact Award. As the story goes, there was a lot of excited shouting and jumping around her living room. “I didn’t think I would win”, said Marjorie.
Marjorie has been Head of HR services at City & County for nearly three years. Prior to joining, she worked as an HR director at Arriva transport. When she came across City & County, the role was just right. “I didn’t want to be the most senior, but I wanted to be able to use my skills to make a difference”, says Marjorie.
But this seasoned professional joined the team just before one of the biggest catastrophes in HR history: covid. Along with tackling covid crises after covid crises, she also managed to change the way HR functioned. “When I first joined, everyone was in a shared service centre in the Northeast, delivering HR support across the country. There was limited local, face-to-face interaction”, says Marjorie. She did not like that HR was that removed and concocted a plan. “We worked to employ HR advisors in the regions in which they support so that they can react to managers in a more connected way. I am proud of this improvement and how our team operates now”, explained Marjorie.
The team also gushed about Marjorie as a person and the work she has done, “Her attitude is almost unfailingly positive, despite significant challenges. This industry is unforgiving and she always seeks to be the one who can provide a solution and that positive, can do attitude is infectious”, said a colleague.
We managed to steal a bit of Marjorie’s time to find out more about this impact maker.
What makes working at City & County unique?
The passion that every single team member has for delivering care.
What motivates you?
Working with a great HR team and the wider business keeps me going. We have a lot of incredible people who are notably dedicated. I also have strong work ethic (when I had to take 2 days off with Covid, I felt like I was letting people down).
What was your reaction when you won?
I was shocked but very delighted. I was secretly hoping we would get the team award for which we were also nominated, as I wanted my team to be recognised for all of the hard work they do to support the branches. They know that I could not have won this without their support.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Covid. What the whole business went through during covid was earth-shattering.
Every day we in HR we learnt something new, we had to answer questions that we didn’t know the answer to immediately. Managing the covid inbox was a big task, especially at the beginning when PPE was short and staff were upset we were not able to provide what they wanted. Furlough was something we knew nothing about but became experts in. And it was concerning when we realised how many of our care workers were deemed Clinically Extremely Vulnerable.
We overcame it in the only way possible, through perseverance. We got the whole team involved and we pushed through some exceptionally long days in order to get everyone processed on furlough. Getting the furloughed staff back to work was another challenge but branches were incredibly helpful. We all pulled together to support our staff during a torrid time. On the bright side, you only recognise the strength of a connection when times get tough. And our team proved very connected and extremely resilient.
Is there something you would have liked to say at the award ceremony?
I am so grateful to receive this award. I am thrilled to be recognised for the support the HR Team provides to all members of the business.
I would have also have liked to thank my team for their continued support. And I would praised Judith for believing in my ideas and plans and for being the voice of reason when times get tough.
Facts about Marjorie Haynes
Personal fact: Marjorie has a new grandson and is completely in love.
Book or movie: Movie
Sweet or salty: Sweet
Cat or dog: Neither
Introvert or extrovert: Extrovert
UK Care Week 2022 report
Many of our teams attended UK Care Week at the NEC in Birmingham over the past few days. The annual event brings together the care community; addressing the biggest challenges facing the care sector, celebrating the talent of care workers and holding a collective voice for change.
Steph Mohan, Service Development Director in our complex care division, has kindly shared her experience of visiting the event with us:
Myself, Lucy Farwell, Kristine Pidgeon and Jo Hooton attended the UK Care Week event at the NEC yesterday, spread across three halls and co-located with Neuro Convention and Naidex Flagship Event.
Keynote speakers included Adam Purnell (Director of Social Care of the Institute of Health and Social Care Management), Kate Terroni (Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care) and Jane Townson from the Homecare Association – as well as conversations with James Cracknell, and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Jane Townson’s talk focused on homecare specifically and the need to shift the dial in demand from crisis management to prevention, along with a shift in funding to support that. The HCA reported that 35% of the general population surveyed would prefer care in their own homes as a result of the pandemic, which has been impacted by a 16% increase in homecare hours undelivered between October 2021 and March 2022. Along with challenges that face the homecare sector, such as a £75m unfunded increase in fuel costs due to rising petrol costs and the contrast in mileage rates for care workers – which are in the range of 10-30p compared to 54p for NHS workers.
As you may imagine the UK Care Show hall was largely attended by recruitment organisations.
The highlight of the day however had to be the Naidex Hall – showcasing positivity, possibility and progression within the independent living sector and is disabled community. Service users – young and old – took to the mobility test tracks trying out new products and watching live demos from those with lived experience. The whole event was action-packed, with dance and cooking workshops, a ‘pimp my mobility’ competition and adaptive climbing wall.
Kristine Pidgeon commented, “How refreshing to be in an event when we as ‘able bodied’ are the minority”, as assistance and therapy dogs weaved in and out of a quite frankly dazzling range of mobility products whizzing by – including Neon Walk Sticks as featured on Dragons Den!
Lauren’s long service recognised in Ebbw Vale
And finally, Shannon Meredith at Abacare has asked us to share the Ebbw Vale team’s appreciation for one of their colleagues – Lauren Saunders.
Celebrating five years of working at Abacare this week, Lauren was recognised for her continued support and commitment to her colleagues and clients. Lauren was presented with a long-service award by her manager Sam, and the team gathered to share their gratitude for her valued work.
Thank you for everything you’ve done over the past five years to support the team and service users Lauren, we’re all looking forward to many more years with you at our side!