How we change lives Our news Celebrating our 2024 STAR Awards! We held our 2024 STAR Awards recently at the Apex Hotel in Dundee to celebrate the significant achievements of our colleagues and the amazing people they support across the country. With the theme 'Cornerstone at the Movies' many of our guests really went to town with their fancy dress and props! This year 85 colleagues from across the country were recognised for either their ten, twenty, twenty-five or thirty years long service, representing a cumulative 1,235 years of dedication and commitment. Presentations were also made for Colleague of the Year (North and South), Team of the Year, Learner of the Year and Fundraiser of the Year. A number of very special Mary Williamson Awards were presented to the people Cornerstone support. Mary Williamson Awards The Mary Williamson Awards which started in 2021, were made possible by a generous legacy donation from the late Mary Williamson. Mary was supported by Cornerstone for over 23 years - she loved dressing up, holidays and parties and was much loved by everyone at Stevenson Court. The award was founded in her memory, to recognise the personal goals and achievements of the people we support. These goals include; An act of kindness to others Facing a fear A new craft, hobby, or activity A training course or employment opportunity A fundraising event A personal health challenge or fitness goal or any other special achievement The winners, runners up and highly commended for the Mary Williamson Awards 2024 were; Shared Lives Winner – Alison Douglas North Aberdeen and Shire Winner – Gavin Doak South Aberdeen and Shire Winner – Tamara Batten Runner-up - Lindsey Telfer Ayrshire Winner - Alasdair Bogle Runner-up - Catherine Hendrie Dundee, Perth, Fife and West Lothian Winner - Rosa Allen Runner-up - Steven Thompson Highly Commended - Peter Brown Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire Winner - Ashleigh Clark Runner-up - Derek Collins Highly Commended - Glenn Thompson North Lanarkshire Community Support Winner - Martin Devine Runner-up - Alistair Kidd North Lanarkshire Supported Living Winner - Paul Brown Runner-up - George Brannan Highly commended – Lesley Mitchell Scottish Borders Winner - Isobel MacKay Runner-up - Matthew Watson West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Winner - Helen Chalmers Runner-up - Emily Kincaid Moray Winner - Abigail Overing Runner-up - Sarah Watt This year the judges wanted to make an additional outstanding achievement award of £250 in recognition of the significant challenges faced and overcome by one particular Mary Williamson nominee. This award went to Paul Brown who is supported by North Lanarkshire Supported Living, in recognition of his incredible fitness and wellbeing journey. Paul’s Personal Trainer, Daniel told us: “It’s been a pleasure getting to know and train Paul over the past year, not only does he brighten up the gym with his vibrant personality but has overcome every challenge I have set him to date. I look forward to the path and work we have ahead.’’ Fundraiser of the Year The Fundraiser of the Year award went to Aimee McCabe for her fundraising work at Forrest Walk in West Lothian. Her nominator said: “Aimee is the driving force behind many of the fundraising events at Forrest Walk in West Lothian and her passion for the people Cornerstone support can be seen from her results! She has been instrumental in organising events such as their Halloween Party, Leg Wax fundraiser, Eurovision Song Contest Sweepstake, Euro 2024 Sweepstake and pulling together a team for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk. She always tries to ensure that the people Cornerstone support are actively involved in all the events she plans. From raising money to replace a broken speaker for the service, to purchasing a giant garden bean bag so everyone was able to enjoy the garden space, everything Aimee does is with the people she supports' needs at the forefront. Aimee enjoys fundraising and wants to help the people she supports to live their best lives. They are her inspiration.” Our Colleague Awards Five other prestigious awards were also presented: Colleague of the Year (Operations – North) - Jodie Kemlo, Support Practitioner Colleague of the Year (Operations – South) - Helen Millan, Support Practitioner Colleague of the Year (Business Support) - Denise Elder, Recruitment Advisor Learner of the Year – Lauren Millar, Regulation and Standards Officer Team of the Year - Team Packman Colleague of the Year (Operations – North) was awarded to Jodie Kemlo, Support Practitioner from Cornerstone’s Rankine Street service in Dundee Jodie's nominator told us: "One of the people we support found out that his mother's grave was in Dundee and he had never had the opportunity to visit her. When Jodie found this out, she went out of her way in her own time to locate the gravestone, ensure that it was suitable for access and that it was clean and in good condition before taking the gentleman to visit his mother’s grave for the first time! Jodie displays our values every day - in and out of work - and is an asset to Cornerstone. She goes above and beyond for the people we support as well as her colleagues." Colleague of the Year (Operations – South) - Helen Millan, Support Practitioner from Cornerstone’s Tweedbank service in the Scottish Borders Helen's nominator told us: "Many of the people we support see Helen as a guiding spirit who has an uncanny ability to move things forward in a positive way. She recognises that the people we support have the right to make choices that we might not always agree with, but will gently guide them to understand what a better alternative might be, without imposing. Helen has an ability to lift people’s mood and bring light on the dark days.” Colleague of the Year (Business Support) - Denise Elder, Recruitment Advisor Denise’s nominator told us: "Denise knows her role and the organisation inside and out. Denise goes over and above in everything she does to support all colleagues, ensuring we recruit the right people to provide appropriate care to the people we support, to help them lead a valued life.” Learner of the Year – Lauren Millar, Regulation and Standards Officer Lauren’s nominator commented: "Lauren’s commitment to learning new skills and taking on new knowledge has added huge value to several teams and functions including IT, quality, data protection, and finance. Overall, Lauren really exemplifies Cornerstone’s values." Team of the Year – Packman, Moray Team Packman's nominator told us: "Team Packman supported Sarah after she received lifesaving treatment of dialysis for almost a year, taking on board additional training to support her through a distressing time. They worked together under immense pressure and adapted to changes needed . The caring and kind hearts of the whole team is evident. The team really are the epitome of Cornerstone's values.” Hazel Brown, Chief Executive of Cornerstone commented: "I would like to thank Toby Rider and CNR for their continued support. Without them this ceremony wouldn’t be possible. And also to Malcolm Reid from Complete IT who kindly provided the sweetie goody bags and notebooks on your table today and of course to the Lord Provost of Dundee, Bill Campbell for his assistance with presenting our very special Mary Williamson Awards too. From our winners and finalists, to colleagues, the people we support and all the presenters and organisers who helped make these STAR Awards happen. Thank you so much" A huge congratulations go to all the amazing 2024 Star Award winners, runners up, highly commended and nominees. You are all stars! Manage Cookie Preferences