GEM awards are given to recognise colleagues who have gone above and beyond in their work. They are nominated by fellow colleagues and a GEM panel, made up of colleagues, makes decisions on a quarterly basis – always a very difficult decision.
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GEM awards are given to recognise colleagues who have gone above and beyond in their work. They are nominated by fellow colleagues and a GEM panel, made up of colleagues, makes decisions on a quarterly basis – always a very difficult decision.
May’s GEM Award was given to Tess Ivory from Villa Maria where we support the community of Marist Sisters.
Tess is the activities co-ordinator at Villa Maria. Tess has been supporting one of the sisters through her recent radiotherapy treatment for cancer. Sr T had to attend the hospital daily for 5 weeks. This wasn’t at a local hospital but a main hospital some miles away.
“Tess supported Sr T through almost every session and often had to change her working pattern at short notice, due to differing appointment times and also had to stay late on occasions when appointments overran in order to provide this consistent support. On speaking to Sr T she has stated that she struggled with the treatment and if it hadn’t been for Tess’s support may not have completed this. Tess would find differing routes to drive sister to the hospital to break up the monotony of the daily journeys so they had something new to chat about each time. Sr T has also told me about the laughs they had together each day, Tess was able to keep Sr’s spirits up and the staff at the hospital often mistook her for Sr’s daughter assuming that the level of support she was providing to Sr T meant they must be closely related.
I think this is a great case for Going the Extra Mile. Tess put Sr T’s needs before her own thus ensuring she received the kind and compassionate support she needed throughout what was clearly a gruelling period of time. Thankfully Sr’s prognosis is now good as a consequence.”
Linda Ribbands, Head of Operations - South
The panel agreed. Well done Tess!
Tess on the right with manager Tammy Brown
