Fingers crossed for success at the MJ Achievement awards

Wokingham Borough Council and their partner organisations will be keeping their fingers crossed for success this Friday (23 June) as four projects have been shortlisted for the national MJ Achievement Awards. 

Partners essential to the delivery of these four projects include Optalis, the NHS, Loddon Homes, Places Leisure, IT start-up company Pungo, Age UK Berkshire, The Link Visiting Scheme and several local primary care and health care providers.

One of the most prestigious awards for Local Government, the MJ Awards were established to recognise best practice and excellence in delivering services as well as innovation in supporting local communities.

The awards also celebrate projects where local authorities have worked closely with partners, including other professional organisations, the voluntary sector, businesses and the local community to deliver great outcomes for all.

More nominations than any other council

Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of the council and executive member for housing, said: “To hear we’d been nominated for four awards, the highest number of nominations for any single council this year, in recognition of the innovative partnership work we’ve been doing was fantastic news and something we should all celebrate. 

“Partnership working is incredibly important to us. Not only does it help us make the most of our limited resources it also helps us extend our reach and get the right support to the right people at the right time.

"As these projects show, by working with great partner organisations, we can achieve real innovation in how we provide our services and make a massive difference to people’s lives."

Four projects recognised

• Best Social Housing Initiative for the ASC Specialist Accommodation (ASCSA) Programme – The creation of new specially adapted accommodation to support a range of vulnerable residents, helping improve their independence and quality of life within the community.
• Digital Transformation for Project Joy – Creation of a new Social Prescription App to help connect residents in need with the best health and wellbeing service to offer support, reducing pressure on GPs and providing an improved approach to referrals 
• Innovation in Partnerships for Keeping In Touch (KIT) – An innovative project working with Voluntary Sector Partners to help support older residents stay healthy and independent through a 1:1 coaching approach. With coaches able to listen, assess, devise plans and remain in touch to help deal with any emerging or changing issues. 
• Innovation in Delivering Sustainability and Social Value for the Wokingham town centre regeneration – Leading and enabling the town centre to adapt to the changing face of the high street, create new public spaces and community facilities such as the Carnival Hub with its leisure centre, library and cultural use 

You can read more about the four projects by clicking on the links above.