CSP reps win annual awards

CSP reps of the year for 2015: Nicola Cockburn, Katie Wilkie and Natalie Dodson - photo: David Harrison

Natalie Dodson, from the University of East Anglia, was named student rep of the year for her excellent communication skills, supporting members with their continuing professional development and her commitment to ensuring the profile of the CSP remains high.

Also commended in the student category was Rebecca Knowles of Oxford Brookes University.

Nicola Cockburn, health and safety rep at NHS Lothian, was named safety rep of the year. She has campaigned on issues such as stress, musculoskeletal injuries at work and negotiating a safe working environment.

Also commended in this category was Elaine McFadden who has been a health and safety rep for more than 15 years at NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Meanwhile, the steward of the year award went to Katie Wilkie of Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh.

A member of the national group of regional stewards, Ms Wilkie has also represented staff views in a service redesign and supported individual members in the workplace. Nationally, she was commended for her excellent communication and facilitation skills.

There were two other nominees in this category. Kim Gainsborough, from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, helped launch the trust’s domestic abuse policy and wrote a policy to support staff with mental health issues.

And Claire Ellis, from the Isle of Man, was nominated for establishing a positive working relationship between stewards and managers and for her success in negotiating difficult issues such as pay, on call and workplace stress.