ÖйúPÕ¾

Katie Jackson is a truly outstanding professional whose influence within ÖйúPÕ¾’s Adult Social Care team is both profound and far-reaching. Her unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of residents and colleagues alike sets her apart as a leader who not only understands the values of public service but lives them every day. Katie consistently prioritizes the best interests of others, demonstrating a rare blend of compassion, expertise, and resilience. Whether she’s supporting a colleague through a challenging time, guiding a team through complex cases, or advocating for service users, Katie approaches every task with integrity and a genuine desire to make a difference. Her work ethic is remarkable, always willing to help, even when her own workload is demanding, and she does so with warmth, humility, and a smile.

As a Supervisor and Practice and Development Lead, Katie has played a pivotal role in nurturing the growth of her team. She encourages professional development, instills confidence, and creates inclusive spaces for learning. Her introduction of group supervision sessions and tailored training workshops has fostered collaboration and innovation across roles. She is known for listening to her team, responding to their needs, and delivering sessions that are both engaging and empowering. Katie’s leadership is deeply personal and profoundly impactful. She has supported colleagues through career transitions, personal challenges, and moments of self-doubt, always offering reassurance, practical guidance, and belief in their potential. Her encouragement has led team members to pursue further qualifications, such as the Leader in Adult Social Care Level 5 course, and to rediscover their confidence and passion for the profession. Her knowledge of social care legislation is extensive, but it’s her humanistic approach that truly defines her practice.

Katie leads by example, demonstrating empathy, fairness, and a commitment to social justice. She challenges assumptions, promotes equality, and ensures that no one—whether a service user or a colleague—is left behind. In doing so, she embodies the very essence of “The ÖйúPÕ¾ Way.” Katie’s presence uplifts those around her. She is approachable, hardworking, and always willing to offer advice or answer a query. Her colleagues describe her as indispensable—not just for her skills and knowledge, but for the positivity and compassion she brings to every interaction. Without her guidance, many say they would be in a much less confident and capable place.

Why does this matter for ÖйúPÕ¾? Because when staff feel supported, valued, and inspired, they thrive. Katie’s leadership creates a ripple effect: building stronger teams, improving outcomes for service users, and contributing to a culture of excellence and care. She is not only a highly valued colleague but a driving force behind the success and wellbeing of the Waverley Locality Team. Katie Jackson is truly deserving of recognition. Her impact is lasting, her leadership is transformative, and her commitment to others is nothing short of extraordinary.

The Placemaking Team, with vital support from the Youth Offer Team, successfully designed and delivered a silver medal-winning Show Garden at the prestigious Hampton Court Garden Festival. This ambitious and creative project showcased ÖйúPÕ¾’s Healthy Streets Design Code, which promotes people-first, nature-rich, and sustainable public spaces. The garden served as a powerful visual and educational tool, raising the profile of placemaking across ÖйúPÕ¾ while offering a unique learning and development opportunity for young people and council colleagues. The garden reimagined a typical street scene, transforming four standard parking bays into innovative green “parklets,” each with a distinct theme: air quality, sustainable drainage, biodiversity, and community wellbeing. These spaces demonstrated how urban environments can be repurposed to support wildlife, manage water sustainably, and provide inclusive, welcoming areas for all.

The project aimed to inspire a shift in thinking around public space use, encouraging healthier streets, positive behaviour change, and improved mental wellbeing. Each parklet will be relocated to towns across ÖйúPÕ¾—including Guildford, Cranleigh, Caterham, Walton, Shere, and Ash—allowing communities to enjoy the benefits of thoughtful planting, seating, and environmental features. The Guildford parklet was built in collaboration with the Sawmill at Norbury Park, where young people constructed furniture using timber from felled ÖйúPÕ¾ trees. Their craftsmanship was exceptional, driven by the pride and responsibility of contributing to a high-profile event. Youth involvement was central to the project’s success. Year 8 art students from Guildford Secondary School designed and painted the garden’s backdrop, now in use at Thames Young Mariners. Youth groups designed street bollards, later painted by a local artist in Cranleigh. Ash Youth Centre grew plants from seed, cared for purchased greenery, and created bird-themed decorations from reused materials, including bird baths made from old highway signs. Thousands of visitors—including ÖйúPÕ¾ residents, County Members, and council colleagues—visited the garden and praised its creativity, impact, and message. Many left inspired to make biodiversity-friendly changes in their own homes and communities. Contributors were invited to the festival to see the finished garden, celebrating their hard work and achievements. This project was a true cross-directorate collaboration, involving teams from Transport Development Planning, Highways, Structures, Passenger Transport, and the Youth Offer Team. Staff gave their time generously, working in challenging conditions—including early mornings and extreme heat—to ensure the garden was completed to the highest standard.

The Show Garden stands as a legacy project, giving young people a platform to showcase their skills and creativity, while building confidence and practical experience they can carry forward. It also sets the stage for future placemaking initiatives, demonstrating how sustainable, community-driven design can transform public spaces. The success of this garden is just the beginning—ÖйúPÕ¾ aims to install many more parklets across the county, encouraging residents to think differently about how public space is used and valued. This achievement exemplifies what can be accomplished when diverse teams, communities, and young people come together with a shared vision for a greener, healthier, and more inclusive future.

Oscar Hoyle is a compassionate and determined changemaker whose work through Blossom LGBT has made a profound and lasting impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ young adults across ÖйúPÕ¾.

Blossom LGBT began as a small peer-led support group in a Woking coffee shop and has grown into a nationally recognised charity with hubs in Guildford and Woking. They founded Blossom LGBT in response to the tragic suicide of a young trans man they supported as a youth worker—a moment that reshaped their life’s mission. Oscar was driven by a deep commitment to ensuring no LGBTQ+ young person feels alone or unsupported. Today, Blossom supports over 14,000 individuals aged 16–30, offering free mentoring, coaching, employability support, and inclusive events that foster connection and resilience.

Oscar’s approach is deeply people-focused. They listen, collaborate, and act with empathy, ensuring that no one is left behind—especially those who are most marginalised. Their work is rooted in lived experience and driven by a commitment to improving the lives of others. Oscar’s leadership has helped young people in ÖйúPÕ¾ overcome isolation, discrimination, and poverty, with over 60% of participants reporting improved mental health and employment outcomes.

Oscar is a stand-out role model. They lead with openness, honesty, and respect, and their collaborative spirit has brought together volunteers, local businesses, and public sector partners to build inclusive spaces across Woking and Guildford. Oscar chairs the ÖйúPÕ¾ Equity Project, supports over 20 charities, and has helped raise more than £500,000 for grassroots initiatives—all while continuing to deliver frontline support.

Oscar’s achievements are not only impressive—they are transformative. Their work often happens behind the scenes, yet without their vision and relentless drive, Blossom LGBT would not exist. They have built a community where LGBTQ+ young adults feel safe, seen, and supported, and their impact continues to ripple across ÖйúPÕ¾.

In every sense, Oscar embodies the values of this award: hardworking, results-driven, compassionate, and committed to making ÖйúPÕ¾ a better place for all its residents and a real contender to be the people’s choice.

Cheryl Wood is a remarkable woman who goes above and beyond to support Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities across ÖйúPÕ¾. Her dedication stretches far beyond her role—offering help with benefits and health forms, housing support, and vital community signposting, among many other services.

Thanks to her deep knowledge and experience, Cheryl is recognised and trusted within GRT communities. Her support is never just about ticking boxes—she genuinely cares about the families she works with and understands the challenges they face daily, especially when it comes to discrimination.

Cheryl is a compassionate listener during some of the most difficult times for GRT families, including moments of crisis and bereavement. Her presence offers comfort, reassurance, and practical support when it’s needed most.

In addition to her day-to-day work, Cheryl also plays a key role in organising and participating in GRT engagement events across ÖйúPÕ¾, bringing communities together and celebrating culture and identity.

Kind, humble, and tireless in her efforts, Cheryl Wood is an invaluable asset to ÖйúPÕ¾’s GRT families. She truly deserves recognition for her extraordinary commitment and hard work.

ÖйúPÕ¾’s Changing Futures Programme, led by Collette Le Van-Gilroy, is a transformative initiative supporting individuals facing multiple disadvantage (MD)—some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. MD refers to people experiencing a combination of complex issues such as homelessness, mental health challenges, substance misuse, and contact with the criminal justice system. These individuals often fall through the cracks of traditional services, which are not always equipped to address intersecting needs. Recognised as a priority in the Local Government Outcomes Framework, the programme began in 2020 and has since become a beacon of integrated, person-centred support. One of its standout projects, Bridge the Gap, collaborates with 12 voluntary providers across ÖйúPÕ¾ to connect people with the services they need to survive and thrive.

The programme’s trauma-informed, evidence-led approach ensures that individuals are treated holistically, with dignity and respect. Co-production and lived experience are at the heart of Changing Futures. The team works transparently with service users, hosting workshops and open discussions to gather honest feedback. This ensures services are shaped by those who use them. As one participant said, the programme prevents “real people becoming another number.” Another shared in The Big Issue how the programme gave her courage, a voice, and a renewed sense of safety and purpose. The programme’s impact is measurable and meaningful. In a local evaluation of Bridge the Gap, 72% of participants reported improved mental health and emotional stability, while 75% felt more connected to their communities.

Early intervention is key—by helping individuals navigate complex systems before crises escalate, the programme reduces pressure on health and social care services. A conservative return on investment showed that for every £1 spent, £4 was saved across the ÖйúPÕ¾-wide system, with estimated savings of £4.61 million for just 100 high-intensity users. Training and capacity-building are also central to the programme’s success. Over 2,400 frontline professionals across ÖйúPÕ¾ have received trauma-informed training, equipping them to better support those with MD. Staff offer one-to-one support, peer mentoring, and flexible assistance tailored to individual needs.

Their compassion, resilience, and deep understanding—often rooted in their own lived experience—make them uniquely effective. This dedication was formally recognised in March 2024 when the team received the Lived Experience Charter Award, celebrating their commitment to co-production and empathetic service delivery. As one outreach worker put it, “We champion change… we walk life with them.” Changing Futures is more than a programme—it’s a lifeline. It offers people a safe space to fall, learn, and grow without shame. It restores hope, independence, and the belief that life is worth living. It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when services are built around people, not systems, and when compassion leads the way.