Unsung public servants recognised for their outstanding work
Pictured above, local government campions winners (l to r) Naomi Elendu, Paul Brannan, and Vic Davis
Four council and college staff have been celebrated for their dedicated and outstanding service by UNISON.
The union presented them with awards as “champions” in their fields at UNISON’s annual local government conference, which began yesterday (Sunday) in Liverpool.
Each year colleagues nominate their choices for unsung employees worthy of special recognition for their effort, devotion and outstanding work to be crowned as Local Service Champions and Champions In Our Colleges.
Paul Brannan, a social care practitioner for Shetland Islands Council was named the overall Local Service Champion for 2025. He has long been inspired by his younger brother, who has paraplegic cerebral palsy and is non-verbal.
Paul’s colleagues singled him out for transforming the ‘assertive community transitions’ team by introducing new ways to make their work more efficient.
In addition, there were two runners-up prizes. Vic Davis, is a personal advisor within the leaving care team at Redcar and Cleveland Council helping young people to live independently.
Naomi Elendu, a social worker for Coventry City Council, was recognised for her work in child protection and her expertise in sharing cross-cultural knowledge. She has also founded an organisation called Thrivewell Resources taking mental health support out to Black and Caribbean communities with sessions in schools and churches.
The Champions In Our Colleges overall winner was Cinthia Da Silva-Parris, a reprographics coordinator at Colchester Sixth Form College, providing printing services across all departments. Described by colleagues as “the kindest person you’ll ever meet”, as well as being encouraging and generous with her time.
Cinthia said of her triumph: “Winning this award has given me so much joy and gratitude. I’m honoured and humbled to be acknowledged.”
There were also 10 other regional Champions In Our Colleges winners*.
Announcing the awards today, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Staff across all public services repeatedly give everything to the jobs they love. If it wasn’t for each and every one of them, our country simply wouldn’t function.
“As their union, it’s important for UNISON to celebrate these worthy winners, who go above and beyond in their roles.
“With their hard work and incredible contributions, these otherwise unsung workers make a real difference to their communities.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON’s annual two-day local government conference began yesterday at ACC Liverpool, Kings Dock Street, Liverpool L3 4FP and continues today. This will be followed by the union’s national conference, which takes place from tomorrow to Friday (17 to 20 June). Issues to be discussed include the future of the NHS, the employment rights bill, migrant workers, apprenticeships and local government reorganisation. Further details can be found here.
– The other regional winners for Champions In Our Colleges are: Jonathan Perry, tutor coordinator at Crosskey Coleg, Gwent; Gail Pringle, head of inclusion at Leicester College; James Delaney, inclusion and support operations officer, Lambeth College, London;
Ian Slater, support co-ordinator for assistive tech, Newcastle College; Sarah Dunbar, learning assistant at Knowsley Community College; Margaret McNeill, food service manager and sustainability lead at New College Lanarkshire; Julie Brennen, academic support coach at Wiltshire College, Chippenham; Dianne Taggart, learning coordinator at Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College; Chris Brooks, learning support assistant at Fareham College; Andrew Burnham, art & design technician, Huddersfield New College.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
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