The organisation grows from strength to strength
On Friday 12 November 2010, Five Lamps held a Celebration Event at Tall Trees Hotel to mark the organisation’s 25 year anniversary. The event was a great success with around 250 people in attendance, including current and ex-staff, customers and organisations such as Stockton Council who work closely with Five Lamps.
Jules Preston MBE, Chairman of Assessment North East presented Five Lamps with their Investors in People Gold certificate, along with a certificate in recognition of Five Lamps as an Investors in People Champion. Five Lamps is 1 of only 91 companies that are part of the Investors in People Champion programme, a prestigious group of role model organisations.
Graeme Oram, Chief Executive said
“Who would have thought 25 years ago that Five Lamps would be receiving client referrals from high street banks to provide business Loans; providing mainstream employability services; making personal loans to financially excluded people unable to access affordable credit or financial services; delivering youth services from a purpose-built youth centre, competing for and winning contracts often against national or multinational companies; delivering services from Berwick to Scarborough, with offices in Morpeth and Newcastle on top of 4 in Stockton & Thornaby, and be number 32 in the RBS SE100 Index for Growth. Who also would have thought that the need for our services would be as great or greater, today than it was back then”.
As part of the organisation’s commitment to ‘Making People Matter’, awards were presented to nineteen people, to recognise the significant achievement they have made in overcoming a wide range of barriers, while being supported by Five Lamps.
One of the award winners was Callum Miller, who received a ‘People Matter Award’ for his determination to make his business Turbo Connect grow and succeed. Callum said
“I was speechless at receiving an award and it now takes pride of place in my living room. Five Lamps put people at the forefront in all that they do. Without the support of Five Lamps, my business would not have been able to grow to the level is has”.
Awards were also presented to other Five Lamps customers who have overcome barriers, including Ishmeal Adams and Jonathan Caldwell who despite these barriers have both now found work; Aaron Simonette who has recently joined the army and Lauren Riddle, two young people who have changed their behaviour and are both now positive role models for other young people; Sharon Rodham and Karen Hunter who have successfully set up their own catering business ‘Fillers’; Irene Jessop who’s funeral service business ‘Irene Jessop Funeral Service’ is growing from strength to strength; Louise Moore who has set up ‘Moreish Food’ a successful quality cupcake business; Letricia Heighley who has shown enormous determination to succeed; Jodie Hind, a former prolific offender who had spent 70% of his adult life behind bars and Bob Warriner, two volunteers whose voluntary work with Five Lamps has helped transform the lives of a number of customers; John Lowther and Richard Spruce who were both recognised for their contribution to the support they have given Five Lamps.
This year also saw the very first Five Lamps Family award being presented to the Iveson family – Dad Darren, Mum Maureen and son Darren (Junior). All three members of the family have been actively involved in Five Lamps, both as customers and volunteers.
Last year was a successful year for Five Lamps. They supported 171 people to start their own business, helped 315 people find work, supported over 4,500 people with personal and business loans and provided activities and services for over 500 young people.
As part of the 25 anniversary celebrations, a DVD was made which gives more detail on how the organisation has changed and grown in 25 years.