Helen's our winner!

We're proud to announce that Helen Prophett, who is one of our local housing office managers, has been voted the winner in the Local Government Channel Employee of the Year Awards 2008. Helen was chosen as a finalist in the leadership category and is the only finalist in Hampshire and one of only two people in the country from a housing background.

The award was made at the Local Government Channel Employee of the Year Awards Gala Dinner in Bournemouth on 3 July.

A big thank you to all those who voted. Footage from the award ceremony can be found in the link on the right hand side.

Helen said: "I'm overwhelmed by the fact that we have won. The event was fantastic and the support that everybody has given me is breathtaking. I'd just like to give my sincere thanks to everybody involved.

This award isn't just for me; it's for the team I work with and for us as a council. I feel very privileged to have been nominated and to have been able to represent Southampton City Council - thank you all."

Steve Smith, Neighbourhood Housing Manager who nominated Helen said:

"I nominated Helen because I thought the effort she gave to improving Golden Grove was above and beyond the call of duty. Winning the award is absolutely fantastic - Helen should be very proud of this achievement and Southampton City Council should be very proud of Helen's commitment to the service she delivers. Well done Helen and thank you."

Background to the award

Some people always go that extra mile. One of those shining individuals is Southampton City Council’s very own Helen Prophett. Housing Manager Helen became Hampshire’s only finalist and one of one of only six in the country to be considered for the Leadership award – in recognition of her tireless work on behalf of residents and customers of the Central Housing Office and the estates it serves.

Helen’s team manages 2,000 council properties as well as the estates and neighbourhoods as a whole. The Central Housing Office identified the Golden Grove estate as needing a boost and worked solidly to prepare a £600,000 bid to the Decent Neighbourhood Budget.

The preparation paid off when the team won the bid. Then it was time to find out what the local community wanted.

Helen said: “We had a consultation afternoon in July, where we set up gazebos in the play area near Albion towers. We put leaflets through everyone’s door asking them to come along and tell us what they would like to see. We held a colouring competition which asked children to draw their ideas, so that they could have an input too.

We put together what the residents told us about their priorities for the area: focusing on the look of the estate, but also safety and security. It’s already made such a difference to the community. People come up and say to us how great it is, that they’re really pleased.”

Neighbourhood Housing Manager Steve Smith nominated Helen for the award. He said: “This is such good project which wouldn’t have happened without Helen’s considerable effort. She’s spent evenings and weekends making sure that things get done and has involved the residents at every stage, helping them to really ‘own’ the changes taking place

Brad Roynon, Chief Executive of Southampton City Council, said: “I wish to extend my congratulations to Helen. This is the second year in a row that Southampton City Council has produced finalists for this award. Not only is it indicative of Helen’s achievements, but also puts Southampton up on the national stage as a council that consistently produces staff who are committed to their roles and to the residents of their city.”

To see Helen's video please use the link on the right hand side of this page.