MindSpace Stamford, Options Care of Stamford, Paige Briggs of Roaring Productions and Wildcats Theatre School compete for Team of the Year at the Mercury Business Awards

The standard was so high in the Employee or Team of the Year category at the Mercury Business Awards we have four finalists.

MindSpace Stamford, Options Care of Stamford, Paige Briggs of Roaring Productions and Wildcats Theatre School are all shortlisted in the category and will find out at the ceremony at Rutland Hall Hotel on Friday (September 15) if they have won.

Options Care, based in Stamford, provides supportive and inclusive day opportunities and social events for adults with additional needs.

Kim Glitherow, the manager, said she cried when she learned the business had been shortlisted in the category, saying it was a huge achievement.

“I’m so incredibly proud of my team and all the hard work they put to make Options so successful.

“We started two years ago with a few service users and three staff. We have grown to a team of six and support 24 people. It wouldn’t be what it is without my team and I would love nothing more for them to get the recognition they deserve.

“Even if we don’t win I’m still so happy to have made the finals. It’s such an achievement and we are really looking forward to the ceremony.”

Paige Briggs is a show teacher for Roaring Productions, a company that puts on shows featuring children.

Paige said: “I’m so grateful for this nomination and the experience that Roaring Productions has given me. Whether that is choreographing and directing Matilda Jr or Frozen Jr to frantically sorting out costumes whilst creating the mic plot, I’ve loved it all.

“At the awards ceremony, I’m excited to be celebrating with my colleagues as it will be a memory I won’t forget and a time to reflect on the successful shows that have impacted so many including the children, parents and myself.

“This job has taught me so much about myself and what I can achieve when my heart is set on a goal. Once again the recognition from this nomination means so much to me and I cannot wait to celebrate with the other nominees on a wonderful evening.”

Wildcats is a theatre school based at Stamford Arts Centre.

Owner Caz Dolby, who also owns Roaring Productions, said: “Team Wildcats are thrilled to have been shortlisted for Team/Employee of the Year at the Stamford Mercury Business Awards and cannot wait to attend the event.

“This event is a lovely way to draw to a close a hugely busy summer for the Wildcats team; throughout July and August they have been working hard delivering not only show weeks at Stamford Arts Centre but also government funded ‘Holiday Activities and Food Programmes’ in partnership with Second Helpings, Stamford at Stamford Methodist Church Hall. Every member of the Wildcats team has worked so hard to ensure children have a fabulous time, and this year we have worked with a larger proportion than ever of children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).

“Team work makes the dream work, and it is through every single person doing their bit they have provided a summer of activities for over 500 children.”

MindSpace Stamford is a charity committed to improving the wellbeing of the whole town. It offers a packed programme of free activities to improve people’s mental and physical health.

Classes include gardening, pilates, boxing, mindfulness and art plus cafe session for different groups.

Eighty per cent of people who support the charity are volunteers.

Volunteer chairperson of trustees, Beka Avery, said: “I nominated the team to show how much we appreciate them. Without them, there wouldn’t be a MindSpace and nothing ever seems enough to thank them for what they do.”

Last year, MindSpace supported 2,500 people.

Beka added: “Our volunteers do a huge amount of work. It’s not easy working in a small charity. When you are growing, you face a huge number of challenges but they are all amazing.”

Employee or Team of the Year is one of 10 categories in the Mercury Business Awards, sponsored by Upp.

If you want to find out more about the Mercury Business Awards, you can visit www.mercurybusinessawards.co.uk.

We also have sponsorship opportunities for businesses which want to support our event. To find out more, e-mail our head of events at: sharron.marriott@iliffepublishing.co.uk

With grateful thanks to our headline sponsor Upp and our category sponsors: PVS Media, Alltech, Stamford College, South Kesteven District Council, Chattertons, Hegarty Solicitors, Stork of Stamford and Downtown.