What started as a summer celebration of achievement and excellence, has grown into something much bigger. Brandon’s Big Summer Shout-out was launched to shine a spotlight on the incredible things our teams and the people we support have achieved together. And while autumn may be on the horizon, the shout-outs are still rolling in – so the celebration continues!
From heartwarming personal stories to outstanding professional achievements, this initiative has brought our charity closer, reminding us of the powerful impact of compassion, teamwork, and person-centred support.
Celebrations across the regions
Gloucester
At Kestrel Court, people we support gave shout-outs to their support workers, enjoyed cakes and bingo, and celebrated with certificates. These small but powerful messages reminded everyone of the daily difference being made.
Cornwall
Our teams in the south shared inspiring shout-outs.
- Zoe Truscott, recently promoted to acting Team Leader, is redefining what person-centred support looks like for people with complex health needs.
- Jasmine Phillips, an autism champion, helped someone go on holiday for the first time in three years.
- Colin Willis, new to social care, was praised for his natural ability to support others with care and confidence.
Bristol
At Badgers Close, the team hosted a barbecue, marking a year of incredible achievements – from facilitating holidays to encouraging social engagement among people who once found it difficult. A heartfelt tribute was shared by Locality Manager James Saunby, praising the team for achieving what once seemed impossible.
Enterprise excellence
Our social enterprises have shown that work can be both meaningful and enabling. Almost 50 shout-outs were submitted for colleagues across sites like Elm Tree Farm, Banwell Pottery, Grimsbury Farm Cafés, and more.
Highlights include:
- Mark Warren celebrating 10 years of service at the Nursery.
- Nikki took on shop management duties at Elm Tree Farm Shop with independence and pride.
- Jack Osborne earned praise for his standout social media work promoting sustainable fashion and enterprise values.
- Marti Pritchard stepped up to take on monthly building checks, showing reliability and leadership.
Events that brought people together
- The Sesame Centre in Rugby, hosted an awards ceremony and a summer festival (‘Ses-Fest’), complete with glitter, music, and fun.
- In London, people we support and colleagues gathered for a party celebrating Brandon’s values.
- A shout-out wall at our head office, Draycott House, allowed staff to publicly appreciate one another.
- Across locations like Cranwell Grove, Milestone Road, The Rambles, and in Winchester, stories of resilience, teamwork, and compassion stood out.
Recognition across roles
We saw amazing shout-outs from every corner of Brandon:
- Support Workers like Sandy Michel and Steph Bradbury who continue to go the extra mile every day.
- Team Leaders like Nic Diamond, whose 20+ years of dedication are still felt by every person she supports and leads.
- Volunteers and new starters like Rhys and Olivia, who are already making their mark.
- Training teams and individuals like Andy Kellow, who made life-saving training relevant and inspiring.
- Digital and policy teams, who keep us connected, informed, and supported behind the scenes.
Children’s services
A big shout-out to the Playlink team for delivering fun, structured, and inclusive experiences for children during the summer. Staff like Joe, Amber, Sammie, and Rachel made every day count, with heartfelt thanks from team members and families alike.
A birthday to remember
In Oxfordshire, Jodie celebrated her 40th birthday with a hovercraft adventure to the Isle of Wight, planned and made possible by her support team. The day was a testament to the lengths our colleagues go to create meaningful, joyful, and accessible experiences.
A culture of appreciation
From shout-out walls to barbecues, certificates, and surprise celebrations, this initiative has created a culture of recognition and positivity, and showcases compassion, inclusion, and excellence throughout Brandon. Every message shared reminds us of the Brandon values that define and unite us.
Stronger, kinder, and more connected
As we continue the celebrations into September, one thing is clear: Brandon is full of people who care deeply – about their work, each other, and most importantly, the people we support.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to give a shout-out, share a story, or plan an event. You’ve helped build a stronger, kinder, and more connected organisation. Let’s keep the momentum going – because recognition matters, and every effort deserves to be seen.
Stay tuned to our social media channels for more shout-outs in the coming weeks.
