An IT worker has received an award for the essential support and guidance he provides charity services across the UK.
Andrew Haworth, from Thornton Cleveleys, was one of a team of five IT specialists who received the Behind the Scenes Award from Making Space, a national adult health and social care charity which employs over 1200 people across the UK.
The team were recognised for “constantly going above and beyond during unprecedented circumstances,” including delivering PPE to people in their homes alongside essential IT equipment and the support they needed to keep the services running throughout the pandemic.
Andrew was praised for his “constant travel across the UK to provide on-site support and guidance, and ensuring technology helps our sites provide the best service possible.”
The team were presented with a certificate and trophy by Andy Grant – a motivational speaker, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and the world’s fastest single leg amputee in the world over 10KM – at an award ceremony at the Manchester Mercure Hotel.
“Its an honour to be recognised for our work behind the scenes with this award,” he said. “This makes all our hard work worth it.”
Chris Mizzi is the head of IT at Making Space. He said of the team’s award: “As their manager, I am extremely proud of my team and very pleased that all their hard work and effort has been acknowledged by the rest of the organisation.
“Andrew is constantly criss-crossing England, visiting over 90 locations to provide onsite support and guidance on how the technology can help our sites provide the best service possible. He and the team are a real credit to the organisation and very deserving of this award.”
Over 250 people were nominated for the Making Space awards, with three individuals or teams shortlisted for each award. The judges – external assessor Corinne Wainwright, and Alison Everett from Skills for Care – said the IT team deserved to be noticed for their constant work behind the scenes.
“If it wasn’t for the IT team, half of the jobs Making Space does to provide services would not get done,” they noted. “The team haven’t just looked after IT equipment: during Covid they drove all over the country to drop off PPE, mobile phones and other essentials. They deserve this award in recognition for all the behind the scenes work that they do.”
The inaugural Making Space Colleague Awards have been established to recognise and pay tribute to individuals and teams who inspire others, go above and beyond expectations and make a real difference to the lives of the people supported by Making Space.
