COMMENDEE 2024-25

Initial Recommendation

This nomination followed an initial recommendation from Katherine Dealtry, HOBA

Vicky is the Business / People Hub Manager at HMP Askham Grange – due to size of Askham it was a hybrid role under F&S – however we know the size of the site is not a reflection on the work she does – she has two full time job titles and delivers on both to an exceptional standard!

As the people hub manager Vicky ensures that staff receive the necessary tools to be confident and competent, regardless of their role, be it operational or non-operational, directly or non-directly employed.

Vicky is the Staff Support designated lead, is part of the care team and is a Mental Health Allie, as part of this Vicky ensures that all Staff are adequately supported and prepared for the challenges of working in a custodial environment.

Vicky has a real passion for wellbeing, and this is evident in the work she does for the establishment wellbeing days.  Vicky has been invaluable in designing, organising and coordinating these days at Askham, which are for both staff and prisoners – we have a full range of activities at these events now from Body MOTS to meditation and everything in between.  Vicky exemplifies excellence as a pivotal member of the HMP Askham Grange team, fully dedicated to our aim of making hope a reality.

As the business hub manager Vicky has established a proactive, and positive rapport with a diverse array of internal and external partner agencies to ensure we can offer the best service to the women in our care and run Askham Grange as the high performing prison it is.  This ranges from ensuring our vehicles are all in working order, to helping prisoners with all manner of tasks – especially those who have never been in the open estate and require more support for things such as accessing money for ROTL.  Vicky ensures that we have a well run business hub complying with financial and policy controls offering the best service to the women.  Vicky dedicates personal time to ensure the delivery of exceptional services to prisoners, staff, and the broader community.

Vicky is our local Butler Trust champion and has been for a number of years – it is now time for us to champion her!  Vicky consistently surpasses expectations and has earned local acclaim for her exceptional contribution to HMP Askham Grange, and as Vicky’s manager feel she is worthy of recognition from the Butler Trust.

Supporting Documentation

Testimonials

As a manager and a person, Vicky has all the attributes you could wish for. She is always fair, even-handed and even-tempered.  Vicky is very approachable, whatever the subject, and will always do her best to suggest solutions and not be judgemental or critical. She plays a huge role in the Care Team and is so discreet that people know they can speak to her about anything in absolute confidence. Her kindness comes across to everyone. She will always listen carefully and take others’ views and circumstances into consideration.  She is the chief organiser of staff events, which have included the annual staff barbecue, Pride, and the annual Bake-off competition – events that are team building but great fun. Vicky is the go-to person whenever anyone is planning an event. She can be relied on to see the funny side of situations. She sets up lunchtime “Dobble” sessions which are not only team building but a fun break in the middle of the day and very much anticipated by her colleagues. Having worked in other settings I can honestly say that Vicky is the perfect manager. She is liked and respected both for her work and her character and it would be fantastic for her to receive recognition for the huge part she plays in the daily life and workings of Askham Grange.  Barbara Reagan – Business Hub

Vicky is well deserving of a Butler Trust Award she is an excellent Business Hub manager and an asset to the wider Askham Grange family. She takes on work over and above her role and ensures the Business Hub runs smoothly. Vicky supports us all fully on a day to day basis and always knows when a treat is required.  She is a valued member of the care team and staff recognition, always promoting wellbeing events and ensuring others are recognised for the work they do. I think it’s time we recognised the good work Vicky does. Caroline Horne – Cashier

One of Vicky’s standout qualities is how approachable she is. Whether it’s a work-related matter or a personal concern, she always makes herself available and is always happy to help anyone. Often when there is a new staff member and they have questions/don’t know where they are going, Vicky will be the one they ask. You can rely on Vicky to help you out, and if she can’t, she will ensure that someone else can. Despite having a big workload herself, Vicky always has time for other people and often takes tasks on board that are not her job but does them anyway and without complaint. An example of this is when I was having issues with my card transactions, the invoices didn’t align with what I had showing on the system or on my own transactional log. Vicky was so patient helping me sort this out, she took hours going through my paperwork and attending teams calls with me to get to the bottom of the situation. All whilst she juggled her own work and meetings. Vicky didn’t have to take all this time helping me out, she could have pointed me in the direction of the team I needed to speak to, and she didn’t have to sit on those calls with me. Vicky did it because she is a great boss and knew this was an issue causing me a lot of frustration and anxiety. Her kindness radiates through her actions, showing compassion and understanding in every situation. Emma Reagan – Business Hub

Since joining the prison service in February this year, Vicky has gone above and beyond the remit of her role to ensure that I have felt welcome, comfortable in my role and within the team, and supported. She has gone out of her way to help me understand the prison environment, which was something that was very unfamiliar to me and has at times been quite daunting, however I have found her approachable nature reassuring and settling.  This has been especially important to me having not worked in an office environment for over ten years. Actions like this from Vicky have helped me settle in well, feel comfortable in, and get enjoyment out of my role.  Linda Firth – People Hub

Vicky is often one of those unsung heroes, working tirelessly in the background.  She does an exceptional job as the Business Hub and People Hub manager, but it is everything that she does outside of these roles that can often go unnoticed.  As a member of the care team and wellbeing champion, she goes out of her way to support staff when they are in need.  She is always the one suggesting exciting events to promote staff wellbeing and then is proactive in organising these once given the go ahead.  Her Wellbeing days are always well thought out with different activities each time and whilst these are always well attended by prisoners and staff.  When I first started at Askham Grange 2 years ago, I was given one of the desks in the business hub to set up shop.  Now, being the Neurodiversity Support Manager, I was nothing to do with the Business Hub and was in no way Vicky’s responsibility to support or help settle in.  I was simply in there because there was a spare desk!  This didn’t matter to Vicky in the slightest, and she went out of her way to help me settle, offering support with finding everything I needed at Askham like IT equipment and including me in Business Hub social events, like the Friday lunchtime Dobble Championships (even if I am losing)! Vicky is the go-to person for support at Askham Grange, from prisoners needing advice on finance issues, to Governors needing support with arranging visits or meetings.  Vicky will always go the extra mile with a smile on her face and a positive attitude and will always drop what she is doing to make sure staff are supported.  Vicky is always the first to nominate others for awards and recognition schemes, when in actual fact, she is a very deserving and worthy winner in her own right.  Lorna Newby – NSM

Sign Off

Victoria has totally bought into the ethos of Askham Grange, she makes hope a reality with her open and approachable manner to all who work at the establishment. As someone new to working at Askham Grange I have first had experience of the comments made by the nominee of this application, Victoria puts herself forwards and has a wealth of knowledge and experience which she is always willing to share when required. Victoria has spoken to me about a number of processes in place at Askham and one point that has impressed me is her enthusiasm to have the job done right and always for the right reason, a focus on learning for all and sharing new learning is always key, Victoria has a professional manner and will always seek the right moment to raise sensitive matters and will always be armed with the facts and solutions to technical problems. Victoria is at the forefront of the establishments drive for equality and inclusion for all and can regularly be seen organising others. Victoria is a quiet and unassuming member of staff who doesn’t seek recognition for herself and will always promote others.

Mark Docherty

Governor, HMP Askham Grange