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Colchester business partners win double gold
12th May 2008
Two business neighbours with a close working relationship in Colchester have each scooped top awards at a prestigious event for outstanding work in their respective fields.
Colchester-based Colne Housing, one of the largest affordable housing providers in Essex, scooped a top award for its staff training and development while at the same time The Essex Autistic Society, their neighbours in Digby House, Causton Road, won the Community Award at the Essex Countywide Awards ceremony organised by Newsquest in Southend.
Both Colne Housing and The Essex Autistic Society are celebrating their 35th anniversaries this year, the 2 organisations have been working together in Essex to provide housing and support for people with autism.
Colne Housing won the top accolade at the Essex Business Awards for its training and staff development programme. It’s the second top award this year for the leading housing association.
The award was given for Colne Housing’s passion for training its staff and providing them with the opportunity to acquire up-to-date knowledge, skills and qualifications as part of the company’s overall business strategy.
Colne Housing’s Chief Executive Mark Powell Davies says: “As a leading housing association, the investment in on-going training is integral to our business strategy; this includes programmes for all staff to undertake training, job shadowing, mentoring and coaching, encouraging a number of internal promotions
“We are delighted to celebrate our honour with the success of our business neighbours, Essex Autistic Society, with whom we will be working on a number of new and exciting projects over the coming months.”
These awards have an excellent reputation of producing winners and finalists of the highest quality and so The Essex Autistic Society was thrilled at winning their category.
Clive Stobbs, the Chief Executive of the Essex Autistic Society was delighted at the recognition they received:
‘The Society has recently received excellent reports from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the Office for Standards in Education, and the National Autism Accreditation Programme. This award is further recognition of the outstanding service that The Essex Autistic Society provides. Our staff are dedicated to caring for people who are affected by autism, and this award is further proof that we are successfully achieving that’
‘It is wonderful for our staff to get proper recognition for all of their hard work and effort.’’
He added ‘The secret of our success is that we provide services specific to the needs of the individual. This ensures that the service is right for the person with autism and their family’
Both organisations were Established in 1973, Colne Housing owns and manages over 2,000 affordable homes across Essex including Maldon, Colchester and Clacton, while the Essex Autistic Society provides care and support for children and adults with autism, as well as their families and carers across East Anglia.
Both organisations are partners of Alliances within their own fields, Colne Housing working in the New Alliance organisation which includes Suffolk Housing Society and Cotman Housing Association and is an equal owner of Iceni Homes, a development company which is responsible for building and delivering quality homes on behalf of Colne, while the Essex Autistic Society are members of the Autism Alliance Groups which works together to raise awareness of autism nationally.
Both organisations recognise the similarities between them and will continue to develop their partnership to benefit the Essex Community
To find out more about The Essex Autistic Society please log on to www.essexautistic.org.uk or telephone 01206 577678. For more information about Colne Housing or the awards, log on to www.colnehousing.co.uk or telephone (01206) 244700.
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