The MJ Awards Testimonials

West Oxfordshire District Council
Cllr Andy Graham Leader West Oxfordshire District Council

A great advert for what really is being achieved in local government and for our communities nationwide.

North Somerset Council (1)
Joe Tristram Councillor North Somerset Council

The MJ Achievement Awards are a wonderful place to find out what our colleagues across the UK are doing and congratulate them for it. A real feel-good event!

Tendring District Council
Barbara Pole Economic Growth and Enterprise Manager Tendring District Council

As a local authority, we work hard to make a difference and put our District at the front of everything we do.  Our project is the most deprived area of the country where media coverage is usually negative and hurtful to what is an amazing community.  By being part of these awards and for this project to be recognised, gives us a chance to change perceptions and shout about the good things happening in Jaywick and putting them on the map for something positive and award winning.

Northumberland County Council
Philip Hunter Assistant Chief Executive Northumberland County Council

A real celebration of all that's great about local government...fantastic to meet up with so many 'leading lights' form the sector.

Age UK
Rachel Harrison Senior Living Well Support Officer Age UK

I was amazed at how many councils there are and it was so lovely to watch everyone cheer acheivements of a council they may previuously have known nothing about.

Adult Social Care Stoke On Trent City Council
Stephanie Lancaster North Locality Connector Adult Social Care Stoke On Trent City Council

It's nice to see what other councils are doing well. Business networking is always good to enhance and reflect on our work and roles within the council.

London Borough of Lewisham (1)
Tracey O'Mahoney James Workforce Development Lead London Borough of Lewisham

Attending this event generated an atmosphere where people felt energised, inspired and most of all proud of all the work we do in supporting the communities we work alongside. Our work is not always celebrated, this event celebrated all of us and the organisations we work for. I look forward to seeing these awards being recognised by our communities who can join us in celebrating.

Westminster UNISON
Christopher Smith Branch Secretary Westminster UNISON

Westminster City Council were shortlisted for an award at the MJ Achievement Awards 2024. It was amazing and you should enter for the 2025 awards to celebrate what your staff do for your community.

Wakefield District Council
Andrew Wallhead Chief Executive Wakefield District Council

The MJ awards 2024 showcased the very best in local government achievement. Well done to all the entries, short list and winners in the 2024 awards.

Testimonial 5
Sarah Norman Chief Executive Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

It is fantastic to attend an event that is all about celebrating what is best about local government.

Testimonial 1
Ann Workman Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

A wonderful event sharing all that is brilliant in our sector and our achievements on behalf of the people we are here to serve.

Testimonial 2
Mark Hempshall Place Manager Barnsley Council

The event was excellent, from start to finish. The timings were right, as was the pace of the ceremony; the opportunity to celebrate with colleagues from across the Local Government sector. Also good to hold the event in the daytime, as it helped with travelling to/from the venue.

Testimonial 3
Matthew Jellings Business Development Director Equans UK

An event befitting of the Market Leaders in reporting credible news and in highlighting key issues and challenges facing the local authority sector. Expertly organised at a comfortable venue within easy reach and fit for purpose. Hard to fault and a chance to celebrate excellence in the sector at all levels. Thanks to The MJ for everything they do.

Testimonial 4
Claire Tate Senior Transformation Lead for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

For Sandwell 12th most deprived authority in the UK, to have a programme nationally recognised for the positive work that we are doing to support children, young people and their families is an excellent achievement. Through our continued partnerships it shows us that we are continuing to be on a path that will make a difference and at each fork in the road, we reflect and continue on our journey as our programmes evolve.

Testimonial 6
Rachel Connelly Head of Supported Housing Salford City Council

A great experience in celebrating my own authority's achievements with colleagues whilst hearing of the amazing work undertaken by other councils.

Testimonial 7
Sarah Alldis Assistant Director Sefton Council

Well worth taking time away from the office - really uplifting to see all the fantastic work

Testimonial 8
Sharon Burgess Acting Head of Safeguarding Adults and Quality Assurance London Borough of Enfield

I thought it was really inspiring to see the passionate creative approach's that councils have, particularly during this time of austerity, it is really important to share our experiences and learn from each other.

Testimonial 9
Paul Dempsey Corporate Director, Care and Protection Dorset Council

The MJ Achievement Awards provide an excellent opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best of local government work across the country. The ceremony itself was a fantastic event, extremely well hosted, with a range of award categories that allowed for both big and smaller initiatives to be recognised. I left feeling highly motivated and valued as a public sector worker.

Testimonial 10
Michelle Moubarak Head of Culture, Leisure and External Development Canterbury City Council

Being a finalist has helped raise the profile of our service and broaden awareness of the work that we have been doing both internally and externally.

Testimonial 11
Jill Bayford Councillor Thanet District Council

The event is a tribute to all finalists and particularly to those who are judged to have made the greatest achievements. The excitement and enthusiasm of participants is tangible and the occasion rewarding for the hard work undertaken to become finalists.

Testimonial 12
Khadeja Farhat Social Worker Lancashire County Council

I enjoyed attending The MJ Achievement Awards and interacting with other local authorities , I felt proud of the work that my council does and the work that everyone does to support individuals in the community. I would love to come again and celebrate the wonderful achievements of everyone around us

Testimonial 13
Neeta Kanagaratnam Community Organiser London Borough of Redbridge

Until you work in Local Government, you have no idea how hard people work to make the lives of the residents they serve better. I was so proud to be invited, our team was nominated for an award, my colleagues were highly commended for another award, and my fellow colleagues were recognised and won for their efforts. Icing on the cake for all our efforts.

Testimonial 14
Gareth Richards Housing Strategy Team Leader, Contract Management & Data Reporting Spelthorne Borough Council

Although we did not win in our category, we have a certificate for being nominated that we are very proud of.

Testimonial 4
Monica Fogarty Chief Executive Warwickshire County Council

A fantastic event celebrating the best of Local Government. A wonderful opportunity to recognise the challenges which have been overcome and the passion for serving communities.

Testimonial 5
Mark Grimley Group Director for People and Corporate Services Government of Jersey

Thank you to The MJ for recognising local government. Much goes on behind the scenes that residents rarely know about, and therefore recognition can be rare. It is a huge morale booster for teams to be recognised, and a great showcase for the sector. You can see it really matters to people, and a fun event too.

Testimonial 3
Neville Penman Councillor Totton & Eling Town Council

If there is an award that you’d like to stand for then I suggest you use The MJ Awards very professional made you welcome and important and everything was perfect. The organisation in itself and the day were perfect and I would if involved always use this venue the food was well-presented everything ran on time and London is the perfect place for it to be held with the word Westminster it just added that special touch.

Testimonial 6
Shirley Reynolds Cabinet Lead Children, Young People & Families Telford & Wrekin Council

The awards are an excellent opportunity to showcase all the 'good practice' and inspirational ideas of local government across the country.

Testimonial 7
Helen Bailey Chief Executive London Borough of Sutton

It is a fabulous way to celebrate success in Local Government.

Testimonial 1
TJ Agard London Borough of Brent

This is a really important award that acknowledges the tremendous effort of those Teams and individuals on the ground working hard to support local communities often in the face of great challenges. The MJ's is an award that shows communities that the local authority does care and because it is a national award it is something that all concerned can be very proud about when they win!

Testimonial 2
Myke Odison Ani Patch Co-ordinator Tameside Council

Recognition of one's effort is a boost to do better. Such an event wakes up organisations to work even harder and better deliver quality services in their communities knowing fully well that someone somewhere is watching to recognise their efforts. It brings about going the extra mile to do better. It is a challenge to others too. The news is everywhere and the people and organisations who were not invited to the last award will work hard to compete with others to be recognised. It is an excellent event.