Member Article

Employees take centre stage at Life Leisure awards

Over 500 employees from Stockport have been recognised in a special awards ceremony held to mark the positive impact they’ve had on the local community and each other.

Life Leisure - which manages 13 sports and leisure facilities in and around Stockport - hosted a gala event at the Mercure Hotel in Manchester, to thank its employees for the work they do to help Stockport residents achieve their “personal best” – from losing weight or gaining confidence, to become more active or perhaps learning a new sport.

Business Support Assistant Adelle Izzard from Cheadle Heath was named Life Leisure Employee of the Year, while a Lifetime Achievement Award went to Business Support Manager Janet Murray from Stockport, who has played a key role in Stockport’s leisure and sport delivery for over almost three decades.

Life Leisure’s CEO Malcolm McPhail, said: “People often don’t prioritise employee awards but for me, they are hugely important and humbling. There is nothing more inspiring or motivational for a team – no matter how big or small – than having the opportunity to learn from each other and share in each other’s achievements.

“Take Adelle Izzard as an example, who won our ‘Employee of the Year’ award and has been with us for about 20 years. Her ‘job’ is to support the centres and staff with business delivery, but you’re just as likely to find her making sandwiches for a youth football match, manning turnstiles or marshalling at community events, as you are to see her behind a desk. That’s because she cares. And because she does, we do.”

Special awards presented in honour of two former Chairs and respected Stockport businessmen David Hopkins and Alwin Thompson, went to Liz Henry and Will Brooks respectively.

Liz from Offerton, a gym member turned employee (Duty Manager), was recognized for outstanding performance and professionalism. Will from Sharston, who joined as an apprentice three years ago and has since become an ambassador for apprenticeships, impressed the judges with his dedication and enthusiasm for career development. The award, accompanied by a scholarship, will help Will further his learning ambitions which include studying for management accounting qualification.

Many award categories on the night revolved around those who put in their own personal best performance to embody the organisation’s W.A.T.C.H. principles (Winner, Authenticity, Caring and Happy).

Winners included Senior Fitness Coach Danny Drayson from Brinnington who - based on his own personal challenges with finding long-term employment - has helped mentor and support young apprentices through to full time positions with Life Leisure, and former lifeguard, now Trainee Manager, Liam Downs from Offerton, who received special recognition for overwhelming staff and public feedback on his happy and inclusive attitude.

Stockport Sports Village receptionist Jackie Mirfin from Marple, Master Trainer Ruth Lynch from Blackburn, and Business Manager Tom Shirley from Offerton also scooped awards.

A special, and at times tear-jerking, feature of the evening was the screening of a film featuring personal accounts from members of the public whose lives have been changed by help they’ve received from Life Leisure staff.

Stories include that of Ken, a pensioner inspired to take up ping pong for the first time; Rachel, who was used swimming to overcome and manage severe medical issues including heart problems and epilepsy; Scott, who puts his dramatic weight loss and new found feeling of wellbeing down to group exercise sessions, and Andrew, whose social and physical life has been transformed through weightlifting.

The film can be seen at https://www.lifeleisure.net/enterprise/lifeleisure-lifechanging

Malcolm said: “I couldn’t be more proud of my team. They are fantastic people and it’s a privilege to share the great work they’ve been doing and recognise their successes.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by claire evans .