MSP Presents Investors in People Award at Banff Ceremony

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has presented an Investors in People Gold Award to Real Life Options at a ceremony in the Banff Springs Hotel recently.

Real Life Options is a leading national not for profit provider of support for people with learning disabilities, with staff specialising in autism, challenging behaviour, complex needs and mental health.

Real Life Option’s commitment to excellence has recently been recognised by achieving the Investors in People Gold Award.  Nationally, only 23 health and social care sector organisations and less than 3% of recognised Investors in People have achieved the Gold Award.  This award is therefore a great accomplishment for Real Life Options and their Staff and Service Users as it represents the achievement of world class best practice in transforming business performance through people.

The North-east Scotland services celebrated this achievement accordingly as they gathered together for an award presentation at the Banff Springs Hotel.

Mark Richardson, Head of Business Development, hosted the event and Guest of Honour at the event was Stewart Stevenson, MSP for the constituency, who presented the Investors in People award to Mark on behalf of Real Life Options.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“I’m delighted to be able to present this prestigious award to Real Life Options.

“Real Life Options is a leading player in delivering the Care and Support Agenda.  By ensuring that people they support are able to express their real voice and make a real choice, a real and lasting change for the better can be effected.

“I add my congratulations to everyone involved in securing this deserved award.”

The event was attended by approximately 70 Service Users, Family Members and Operational Staff who had travelled from services throughout the North-East of Scotland to share in the celebrations.

There were numerous displays around the room about the various support services provided by Real Life Options, interspersed with personal success stories from the people Real Life Options support as well as profiles of both Service Users and Operational Staff. Stewart Stevenson MSP took time to read through all the displays and also spent time talking to individual people about their personal stories.

The event was a huge success and all enjoyed the presentation followed by teas, coffees and selection of home baking.