Lincolnshire Co-op employees have been given awards for providing valued service, working in their communities and making a positive difference, during a Celebrating Together ceremony at Lincolnshire Showground.
Kelly Slow from the society’s Bracebridge Heath food store won gold in the Colleague of the Year category, and was hailed as “a shining beacon of positivity”.
One nomination told how she helped an elderly customer living with dementia who was unable to remember their pin number to withdraw cash. Kelly spent time with the customer, helped with shopping and made sure they got home safely.
She said: “I don’t feel like I’ve done anything extra special, which is why this feels quite surreal. I love our rapport with customers and the fact they trust us enough to say, ‘I am getting a bit forgetful’. The dementia-friendly training provided by the society has also helped me greatly.”
Silver went to Aly Gratrick from Proctors Road Funeral Home, Lincoln, who received multiple nominations describing her as “going above and beyond”.
Aly said: “I’m grateful for the position I’m in. People come to us in the most difficult time in their lives. Providing them with excellent service can make a huge difference and just knowing I can help in some way is enough of an award.”
The team at Winning Post Pharmacy, Lincoln, won bronze for being “a formidable team whose teamwork and support never wavers”.
Pharmacist Chandan Vadlamudi said: “We’re all very happy to have been recognised. As a team we pull together to make sure everything runs smoothly, and we can provide the best service for our community.”
Lincolnshire chief executive Ursula Lidbetter said: “My colleagues put everything into making life better in our communities. It’s wonderful to be able to honour these hard-working teams and individuals who ensure Lincolnshire Co-op is the best it can be.”
