#EverydayHeroes
From food bank staff, emergency housing staff, social workers, refuge collectors and back office administrators – many of our local council staff are going above and beyond to take care of us and your loved ones during this health emergency. You can read more about them here…
This Week’s Profiles
Man on a mission – keeping the streets and parks clean in Stafford
Meet Paul Bowen. A streetscene operative for Stafford Borough Council with a massively strong work ethic.
Helping the homeless find homes during and after lockdown
Meet Carlton. His job title is unusual – Tenancy Sustainment Officer – but it neatly sums up what Carlton does for Stafford Borough Council.
Our youngest hero – from apprenticeship to valued employee
Meet Ella Smith. Our youngest WM Everyday Hero so far at just 22 – she started working at Stafford Borough Council.
Discover more #EverydayHeroes
New Director of Public Health – rises to the Covid-19 challenge
Meet Dr Shade Agboola. Her passion for treating preventable diseases started in Nigeria.
Caring for our children in care with virtual communications
Meet Gill Guy-Edwards. A proud Liverpudlian yet equally proud to call Stoke-on-Trent her second home.
From caring to cooking ― helping people to be independent
Meet Harris Beaumont. He’s got one of the most diverse careers yet for a hero or indeed anyone for that matter.
We set up a ‘mini Amazon’ for PPE in Warwickshire in just three days
Meet Olivia Cooper. “Exhausted. Intense. Full on.” These are the words Olivia uses to describe the first weeks.
Council nurses step up to support Dudley’s care homes
From desk top planning to real life – how council nurses have supported Dudley’s care homes during the pandemic…
More than picking up the bins – it’s mobile neighbourhood watch
Meet Jamie Lewis. He is Assistant Waste Management Superviser from Nuneaton and Bedworth.
Hitting the ground running before lockdown
Mannie Ketley, Executive Director Rugby BC, tells us how her team have been supporting the local community.
Implementing social distancing in Walsall shops
Meet Louise. She is playing a leading role in the council’s response and support to the local community.
Sharing the joy of reading and reducing isolation
Meet Andrew Woodall. He’s the Library Service and Digital Inclusion Manager for Telford and Wrekin.
Care Worker Moves From Frontline To Phoneline
Here’s a heartwarming story of one long serving Worcestershire County Council senior support worker, Claire Bailey.
Delivering thousands of food parcels to most vulnerable residents
This is humanitarian aid – we’re delivering thousands of food parcels to our most vulnerable residents Meet Colin Parr.
I’ve been on the other side of the service…I’ve been homeless myself
A self confessed doer who loves helping people. “I always try to do the best for people. I’ve been on the other side of the service..”
Supporting Rough Sleepers
WME caught up with Ross Webber, who works helping rough sleepers for Worcester City Council, to find out more.
How one school is providing education in the community
Meet Leigh Moore. She’s the inspirational leader at Wodensborough Ormiston Academy (WOA) in one of the most deprived parts of Sandwell.
How One Local Council Team Went From Chasing Debt To Issuing Grants
Meet David. Three years with Stratford District Council managing a team of 120 with a diverse remit – business rates, customer services, benefits and information technology.
Virtual call centre signposts to grassroots support
Meet Michelle Kettles, Welfare and Benefit Team Manager, South Staffordshire Council.
Online classes to help get Wolverhampton active
Sean tells us how his team has been doing their bit to encourage isolated children, young people & families to stay active.
What good leadership looks like during a pandemic
Meet Sarah Rouse. What a ridiculously testing time for a new leader – the district first had to deal with flooding again and next the pandemic hit.
Walking the streets in the early hours to house rough sleepers
Meet Stephen Philpott. Just two months in to a six month contract for Birmingham City Council leading on rough sleepers, the lockdown occured.
The eye of the storm – communicating during the coronavirus crisis
Meet Esther Epstein. She’s armed with the perfect skills to be working in communications; chatty, organised and thrives under pressure. But she’s feeling that pressure at the moment.
Teaching disadvantaged young people bike skills in a virtual world
Meet Hamish Cameron. Ultra passionate about his job as a youth worker for Warwickshire County Council.
Sharon is running a lifeline and has been since she was ten
Meet Sharon Simpson. She always knew she wanted to care for others.