Two colleagues from our United for Ukraine Initiative nominated for Awards
Marianna Vaszilyiv (above left), Lead key worker has been nominated for the 'Person with Purpose' - Charity/CIC' category for the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards.
About the nomination, Marianna told us:
"I am beyond grateful and honoured to announce that I have been officially nominated for the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards in the Person with Purpose - Charity/CIC category! This recognition means the world to me, as it reflects the passion and dedication I bring to creating a more equal and inclusive world.
"Thank you to the amazing team at Northern Power Women Awards for recognizing my efforts, and to everyone who has supported and believed in me along this journey. To be among such inspiring role models and change-makers is both humbling and motivating. Let's continue to make a difference together!"
Okszana Nepijvoda (above right) Key Worker, has been shortlisted for an IEP Learning Award 2024 in the 'Learning Impact of the Year' category.
About the shortlisting, Marianna told us:
“I am deeply honoured to be a finalist for the Learning Impact of the Year at the IEP Learning Awards 2024. This recognition inspires and empowers me to continue making a positive difference through education and community support.”
Colleague completes fundraising walk cross longest high wire bridge in Europe
Julie Gillies, Designated Safeguarding Lead for the GC Education & Skills, recently completed walk across the Infinity Bridge at Honister slate mine.
As part of her volunteering support with Side by Side Counselling, a free service run entirely on donations offering open ended counselling for everyone 17 and above, she completed the walk across the bridge – which is the longest high wire bridge in Europe at 190m suspended 1000ft above sea level.
While she may have had fantastic views of Cumbria to enjoy on the walk, we're sure that she was looking forward to getting back onto solid ground. This fundraising activity raised over £600.
Julie told us about the fundraising experience and the future counselling for GC:
"I am currently a Trainee Counsellor in my last year, and as part of that remit I volunteer for the Side By Side counselling service – which is a charity who provide counselling support across Greater Manchester to those who cannot access support through other services. As a charity we're constantly fund raising to pay for accommodation costs.
"I completed a sponsored rope bridge climb at the infinity Bridge. I am scared of heights, but really passionate about supporting the mental health of people and the service does just that, so I put myself forward with three other colleagues to fundraise through sponsorship.
One of the opportunities once I have completed my Counselling qualification is to re-invest in our young people and adults by piloting an internal GC counselling service managed by myself and resourced by trainee counsellors. It's service we could grow and would be unique to GC supporting our mental health agenda and enhancing our safeguarding support services within GC Education and Skills."
Salford Employment Hub helped RHS and community in Little Hulton transform an area of the park
Salford Employment Hub had there GC Volunteering Day helping Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to transform an area of the park into a usable space for the local residents and little picking across the park.
Colleague Training Successes
Congratulations to the following colleagues who've worked really hard to complete their TAQA (Training, Assessment, Quality and Assurance):
- Sarah Munroe - Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
- Steven Badger - Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
- Clare Ryan - Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
- Chris Stewart - Level 4 Certificate in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- Claire Murray - Level 4 Certificate in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- Daniel McManamon - Level 4 Certificate in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
James Higgins, Lead Employment Adviser – Restart GM has been completing an Employability Practitioner Level 4 qualification with Total People over the past 2 years. He told us:
"Being new to the employment industry, this has helped me massively with learning the industry and different techniques and skills which I have implemented in day-to-day delivery. I feel that what I've learned has not only helped me improve as an adviser, but also benefitted the participants I see everyday.
I have recently completed my end point presentation and exam, both of which I have passed with only my end point observations to come early in September. Once I've completed this, I am looking forward to the prospect of further learning supported by GC."