Celebrating our “Worker Bees” 

Published Friday 10 July 2020 at 8:59

Council staff have been praised for going above and beyond during the Coronavirus outbreak as part of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s ‘Worker Bee’ campaign.

Staff from all sectors were nominated to be featured in the social media campaign, which gives a much-deserved pat on the back to staff who have risen to such challenging times.

The campaign was launched after celebrity photographer John Rankin released portraits of NHS workers who have helped during the pandemic.

Front line workers, as well as those working behind the scenes were nominated by Council colleagues. Around a dozen of the nominated staff have been interviewed for an ongoing profile to thank the individuals and their respective teams for their hard work and dedication.

Among the staff profiled for the Worker Bee campaign, many have had to adjust to new roles and responsibilities after being redirected to other departments where they are most needed.

Around 100 staff worked to establish the ‘Help Hub’ and food warehouse within a matter of days. This has so far helped almost 3,500 residents across the borough since the start of the crisis.

The campaign comes as 100 days of the Council’s Covid-19 response is recognised.  Key activity will be outlined at next week’s Council Forum meeting, highlighting the vital help and support that has been provided over the past three months.

Many Council staff have been working direct on the front line to support our residents, from social care staff supporting older people coming out of hospital, education, youth workers, to refuse collection crews and highways staff.

Social workers working in both adults and children’s care have been supported alongside a new generation of students who have stepped up to help the mammoth effort. 

In addition, the Council has an army of staff who work behind the scenes to make sure colleagues are safe, from providing PPE supplies to ensuring buildings are safe and clean for essential staff to work from.

Denise Park, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Chief Executive, said:

This has without doubt been the most challenging year in the Council’s history as a unitary authority.

I’m truly humbled by the way Council staff have stepped up during this unprecedented crisis, so often going above and beyond the call of duty. The Worker Bees campaign is just a small way of showing our appreciation to our staff and their extraordinary dedication.

Denise added:

I’m so proud of the way our staff have risen to the many challenges that this crisis has presented, often juggling increased work pressures with the added complications of adapting to a different working environment and indeed home life.

Everyone has played their part during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure the Council has been able to continue providing key essential services for our residents of the borough. Without our staff we couldn’t provide the services we have been able to do and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for their selfless efforts.

Staff across all areas of the Council – from procurement, resources and finance – many of whom carry out essential work behind the scenes – have helped to source PPE and other equipment, provide business support grants and loans. They have proven that they truly are worker bees.

The Council’s HR department has been working with schools and other settings to provide health and safety advice and support and onsite support and risk assessments to help keep staff and children safe.

Never has there been more of a need for reliable technology – and our IT department has adapted quickly, working around the clock to support remote working and essential communications.

Many people do not realise that the Council runs over 800 different services, providing everything from leisure services, community safety, public health, environment, education, public protection, planning, outreach youth work, licensing, births, deaths and marriages and countless other services.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, who has himself been carrying out his duties from home whilst shielding, added:

I know it’s not been an easy time for anyone, especially staff who have put their own worries aside to come to work and help others. 

The nature of the Council’s work often means our staff always don’t get the recognition they deserve. People chose a career in public service to help others. And that’s exactly what our incredible staff done, they have stood shoulder to shoulder with colleagues in the NHS and emergency services, working on the frontline during the coronavirus crisis making a huge difference every day.

I would personally like to thank each any every Blackburn with Darwen Council employee for stepping up to the challenge to help the whole community during this unprecedented time.

Social worker Cara Thomas-Kneen added:

I’m not saving lives but I enjoy helping people.

Whilst the crisis has presented many challenges, as a social worker, using technology to interact with young people, has been beneficial. It’s what young people are used to, they are comfortable using technology and video calls to talk. They see me in my home environment, dressed casually and that helps put them at ease. In that way it has allowed me to build a better connection and rapport in an environment they are most comfortable.

Eddie Maxwell was recognised for his efforts to the borough’s open spaces in the Worker Bee campaign. He said:

We are one big team here in BwD and everyone is playing their part to make a difference.

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