Staff Award Categories

Chair's Award

The Winner - Yvonne Briggs 

Yvonne is a Deaf member of staff who has been a valuable member of the Facilities Team for many years, helping ensure the efficient running of the print room at the Housing Centre - a vital service for many of us. Yvonne volunteered to the Disability Workstream Group as she was keen to help us to raise the visibility of our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.

Yvonne kindly volunteered to design & deliver a basic BSL sign-language and Deaf Awareness session to staff, designing & delivering training is not for the faint hearted at the best of times and yet Yvonne rose to the challenge despite all of the barriers that she faces.

Her commitment to share her own lived experiences and help raise awareness and ensure a more inclusive workplace for our Deaf colleagues has been incredible. She is a great example of a colleague who is not only quietly performing in her role but is keen to support the broad objectives of the organisation to create a more fair, harmonious and welcoming place to work. Yvonne is a truly remarkable member of staff.

Collaboration Award

The Winner - HR and Payroll Systems Team 

This project was a cross-team collaboration in delivering a new HR Payroll system which would benefit all of our staff including self-service for employees and managers, better reporting, efficiencies for HR and Payroll functions, automation of processes, less manual work and less duplication.

This is a key project for the organisation as it brings a range of benefits for all of our staff including self-service for employees and managers, better reporting, efficiencies for HR and Payroll functions, automation of processes, less manual work and less duplication.

Each Team fed their thoughts, ideas, concerns and suggestions at each point of the project.  This was facilitated through a structured project management approach which engaged all key stakeholders. 

The implementation of ‘My View’ was also a significant transition, achieved without any disruption to service.  This came from cross team preparation and system testing and long hours to meet deadlines while still covering their day job!

Innovation & Improvement Award

The Winner - Regional Project Delivery Teams 

This project was delivered by the Regional Project Delivery Teams within Asset Management, The project included a wide range of staff through Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Inspectorate & Administration staff, the team was headed up by Philip Ralston (Belfast Region), Terence McMenamin and Joe McClintock (North Region) and Joe Haughian (South Region) as the Senior Project Managers.

The project represents a significant improvement in the quality, efficiency of NIHE properties and improved the quality of living for the tenants in particular their energy efficiency during continuing cost of living pressure.

The project was successfully delivered despite significant challenges and disruptions in the construction industry, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of the teams in the face of exceptional circumstances and restricted timeframes. On completion of the programme the NIHE had carried out works to improve the energy performance of 1,406 homes across Northern Ireland. This included works that was both funded by the ERDF and the NIHE.

Sustainable Practice

The Winner - Sharon Poots 

Sharon started with the Housing Executive in 2012 working as a Maintenance Officer and joined the Quality Improvement team in 2017 and has worked on various new build projects for Asset Strategy and continues to bring a breadth of knowledge to her role as Senior Project Manager.

Sharon has successfully designed a small development pilot in Sunningdale Gardens presenting the first Housing Executive directly constructed scheme in over 25 years. The dwellings were built using ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ techniques featuring ultra-low energy building methods to PassivHaus standard. 

The six properties consisted of a whole house heating and ventilating system which help reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty. Sharon’s priority was to provide tenants with homes that are safe, warm, dry, and well-constructed with good space standards. This pilot aligns with our commitment to reaching net zero along with helping to reduce the risk of fuel poverty for our customers.

Sharon has been passionate about this new build project and has worked so well with the contractors to solve daily challenges. Her knowledge will be invaluable, should the Housing Executive embark on future new build projects.

Team of the Year

The Winner - Mid and East Antrim Housing Solutions

Daily the team providing essential service under pressure and provide unsurpassable standard of service for customers and how they support each other through the challenges.

Every member of the team genuinely cares about the outcome for the customer and play an active role in team meetings to identify solutions to meet the changing needs of our customers.

The team are proactive in identifying their own training needs to improve their skills and knowledge, e.g., requesting suicide awareness training to learn how to communicate with suicidal customers. As a team they fully understand and communicate the housing journey with their applicants.

One customer commented on their experience:

“You really did make a difference if we had more people like you the world would be a better place!’ ‘Thank you so much for all your help it’s not everyday you are lucky enough to have someone as genuine, caring and  helpful as yourself answer the phone.”

Unsung Hero Award

The Winner - Heather Campbell

Heather is a CSU Supervisor who dedicates herself to the success and wellbeing of her team and the organisation. Heather provides a listening ear, support, and a smile for anyone who needs it especially those team members with a disability. “Heather is an amazing asset to the CSU since she started the post. Heather is approachable and is very sensitive and supportive, she goes above and beyond and really deserves to be recognised for her efforts." Creating a space where everyone is valued and equipped for success in their role.

Heather is always looking for ways to improve the service the team provides. She has the best interests of the team at heart and will do her upmost to assist in any way she can. Heather is a proactive manager and constantly checks in on the wellbeing of her team members.

Heather is always looking for ways to improve the service the team provides. She has the best interests of the team at heart and will do her upmost to assist in any way she can. Heather is a proactive manager and constantly checks in on the wellbeing of her team members.

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