Our University Strategy, Inspiring People, Changing the World, sets out our vision to be a world-class, world-changing university – an ambition that requires a step-change in our culture and the way we work together, writes Suzie Harbison, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Human Resources.

The Empowering People work-stream has been charged with focussing on the University-wide cultural changes required to deliver our collective goals.  In response there are many activities happening at a local level designed to address the issues identified during the development of the strategy and in previous staff surveys, which included the extent to which we feel valued and empowered and also our understanding of how our work impacts upon the delivery of the University’s goals.  This week, we take a closer look at some of the innovative activities that have been delivered at a local level in Cleaning Services.

When Lorraine Connolly, Operations Manager for Cleaning Services, undertook the First Line Management Programme, it helped her refine her vision of how to fully engage and empower the 380 colleagues in the Cleaning Services team, particularly in relation to our communal goals of excellent student experience, excellence in research and enhancing our international connections and activities. 

Working closely with June Cullen, Organisational Development and Learning Lead in the Employee and Organisational Development Team, the first step taken to bring her vision to life was the development of a range of activities designed to help break down the barriers stopping her team from feeling more engaged and empowered in their own roles.  

With 30,000 students and staff on Campus daily, alongside a wide array of different types of spaces, all Cleaning Services staff have a vital role to play in ensuring staff and students have a clean and hygienic workspace – crucial to the smooth running of the University - and the activities were designed to embed this knowledge within every member of the Cleaning Services team.

An engaging and informative video was created

The creation of an engaging and informative video, in support of planned training/workshop sessions for all Cleaning Services staff, was the first step taken and working closely with June and colleagues in the Media Production Team (support given by Colin Brierley and David Collins), the video resource was developed to help showcase the very specialised contribution Cleaning Services colleagues make to the delivery of the University’s key activities.You can watch the video below, and read more about the supporting training/workshop approach and its positive impact on the Cleaning Services team on the Inspiring Change webpages.

Video

Lorraine Connolly said: ‘The video was made first and foremost for the Cleaners; not for other colleagues. It clearly showcases their own contribution to the University’s goals and ambitions - we work to ensure our facilities are of the highest and most hygienic standard, for example to showcase best practice to our future doctors and nurses. The ability we have to positively impact people is amazing.’ 

Share success stories

If you have a story of positive change or innovation on any scale you would like to share on the Inspiring Change portal, then please do get in touch. Remember, there are also continuous opportunities available to offer further feedback and be a part of the on-going conversation. Get Involved!

First published: 25 October 2016

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