An Airdrie-based charity is celebrating after being put forward for a prestigious UK-wide employment award.
The Moira Anderson Foundation is among 20 companies to have been long-listed in the top 20 for the UK employer of the year category at this year’s Investors in People awards.
It comes after the charity, which supports those affected by childhood sexual abuse, successfully gained the scheme’s highest-level platinum accreditation last year for its commitment to staff and development.
Staff will find out next month if they have reached the shortlist of 10, with the overall winner being named in November.
Meanwhile, the charity is also seeking new volunteers to support its work in a range of ways from fundraising to administration, and will be hosting an open night at its Mavisbank Street premises next month for those interested in getting involved.
Foundation director Gillian Urquhart said: “Receiving our platinum investors in people award in the midst of Covid last year was a very welcome boost.
“Being shortlisted for this prestigious award is amazing and we’re so pleased to be recognised in this way.”
The charity first gained silver-level accreditation from Investors in People in 2014, progressing through its award scheme to reach its top platinum status, which they describe as “putting us in the top one per cent of businesses in Scotland”.
Gillian added: “At the beginning of the pandemic we adapted quickly to new ways of working, so the Investors In People assessment was no different – electronic surveys were carried out in the lead-up to interviews, conducted via Zoom. “Being awarded platinum in the midst of all that was going on was an amazing achievement and recognises the hard work and dedication of the full team of staff, volunteers and trustees.
“During the three years since our last review we’d undergone substantial growth, our staff and volunteer team has increased and our premises have almost doubled in size to help us meet the challenge of a remarkable 38 per cent rise in client referrals.”
The conclusion of the major upgrading and renovation work on the Foundation’s base in Airdrie is almost complete, with the final phases of the project set to be completed this autumn.
Now the charity is looking for new volunteers to get involved, and to attend their open night – taking place at 3 Mavisbank Street in Airdrie at 7pm on September 2 – to hear more.
Gillian added: “We’d love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in activities such as events organising, bag packing, networking, admin and gardening or odd jobs, and training will be provided.
“Volunteers would be part of a small team making a big difference to people affected by childhood sexual abuse.”
Email audreyleckie@moiraanderson.org for more information on the volunteer night.
