Tracey Radford

Alvechurch resident, Tracey Radford, has been named as a finalist in Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) prestigious Chamberlain Awards in recognition of her community work with young people in Birmingham and the surrounding area.

Named as a finalist in the Working with Communities category, Tracey developed the Neighbourhood Champions Trainee Scheme; a project which aims to provide employment training to young people, benefitting both themselves and the local community.

The Chamberlain Awards scheme, which was established seven years ago by Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, is named after Joseph Chamberlain – one of Birmingham’s most respected Civic Leaders and is designed to reward BCC workers who go the extra mile to ensure that people of Birmingham receive quality services.

Nominated by fellow employees, Tracey has worked with a team of mentors, known internally as ‘surrogate parents’, providing support to more than 750 trainees, mainly aged between 18 and 24, during the last two years.  All trainees achieved an NVQ level two standard qualification.

Tracey, who has been managing the Neighbourhood Champions Trainee Scheme for the past five years, says: “The scheme has appealed to so many local people, from graduates to those who left school at 16. It’s been fantastic to see the young people develop and learn life skills that will remain with them throughout their adult life. Seeing people go on to university who never believed they were capable of doing so and others qualifying as mechanics, developers and even working within the Council is a wonderful feeling.”

Aiming to give trainees the best possible opportunities, Tracey has helped forge working relationships with Job Centre Plus, various local colleges, BMHT contractors, the Connexions Service and various City Council departments.

Tracey continued: “When doing a job like this, receiving an award is the last thing on your mind. Without the hard work that the trainees put in and the dedication they show towards improving their future I wouldn’t have received this nomination so I believe this award is really for them and would like to congratulate each and every one of them on what they have achieved.”

More than 40 per cent of those people who registered onto the scheme are now in employment, some with 25 year contracts. 

Councillor Rudge said: “The finalists in this year’s Chamberlain Awards have shown sheer determination and a caring attitude that really makes a difference to the local community. Their achievements highlight how the work done by Birmingham City Council employees has a direct and very real impact on both the city itself and the local residents.

“Since the awards scheme began, it has always attracted a high calibre of entrants and this year the competition is stronger than ever. The awards celebrate those employees who have gone far beyond their roles to make important and beneficial contributions to the communities in which they work and it is a pleasure to read so many inspiring stories.”

Award submissions were received under ten categories, including Working with Communities, Imaginative Teamwork and Dynamic Leadership. The general public were also invited to nominate their favourite team or member of staff in the People’s Choice for Service to the Community category. This award provides people, who do not work for BCC, with the opportunity to nominate the team or member of staff that they believe most deserves recognition.

The highly anticipated annual ceremony, where the winners of Chamberlain Awards 2011 will be announced, is due to be held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) on 11 November.