Renfrewshire Council

Resources Manager, Alison Gallagher tells us why our values are important to her and how she makes sure they're embedded in her work every day.

Watch Alison's video here:

It connects us and creates goodwill which in turn develops a stronger work culture and community."

Alison has worked at Renfrewshire Council for 23 years starting in Education as a clerical assistant before promotion within the department to senior clerical assistant, section leader, resources officer and now resources manager. She describes her current role as varied, engaging and rewarding.

Our values are important to me...

Because colleagues, residents and I were given the opportunity to inform and shape them.  They reflect and have meaning to our work place and community.

Being helpful...

Enhances my own self-respect, makes me mindful that none of us got to where we are alone and one day we may need that help, care or support returned. Sometimes it takes just one small act to let others know we are here to support and listen to them. To be helpful is simply good customer service, regardless of whether its to internal or external customers. I always think about how I would like to be treated.  I ask myself, did I listen?  Did I do everything I could to provide a positive experience? 

I love the variety in my job...

I interact with lots of colleagues, parents, children, Elected Members and residents from all over Renfrewshire and I enjoy the help and support I can provide to inform the services we provide to local people. I'm currently working on school admissions and placing requests together with COVID-19 support, health and safety, scheduling, our Dargavel School project and liaison with our caterers, cleaners and building maintenance colleagues in our Hard and Soft Facilities Management service. 

If I could change one thing about working here...

I would increase our budgets! Seriously though, I would like more time to explain how we spend the budget we have and involve our community more in developing creative solutions to how we meet aspirations with the resources we have available.

My biggest achievement to date...

Is having my two girls, now thriving young ladies, who are healthy, loving and amazing in their own individual ways. Knowing I've done my job as a mother by nurturing them to care for others and also encouraging them to always believe and achieve is everything to me.

In my spare time...

I like to go to theatre to see musicals and go to horse racing (of course with my allocated max budget of £5 per race).

I thought my joke had backfired...

When at my job interview for the council about 22 years ago, the Section Leader asked where I saw myself in 10 years time. I couldn't think and nervously / jokingly replied "doing your job".  She didn't seem too pleased and thought I had well and truly messed up, but no, I got the job. And little did she or I know, that I would achieve that role within 9 years of being in the Council.

For me, #LivingOurValues...

Means setting aside time in my diary to remind myself of our values: reviewing recent tasks, discussions and enquiries and reflecting on whether or not our values were met. Could I have handled things differently? Is there a need to implement change? Was this a positive experience? And can we share this as good practice with others.? I think it's important to seek support from colleagues - no one has all the answers - and consciously support others too. Giving connects us, creates goodwill  which in turn develops a stronger work culture and community.  

Lynne Tervit

Facilities Co-ordinator, Lynne Tervit shares her thoughts on how we are helpful.

Watch Lynne's video here:

We go above and beyond. Anything that we're asked, if we can, we will."

Profile

Lynne has worked for Renfrewshire Council for 14 years, starting as a deputy commissioner and swiftly progressing to head commissionaire within a year. Joining the council after a previous team leader role in Coats, Lynne has seen many changes and describes her job as rewarding, varied and challenging.

Our Values are important to me...
We're such a big organisation, with so many people, that it's important we have these values to help us act as one team, working together to do the best we can, every day.

Being HELPFUL is at the centre of what we do...
It's so important that my team and I are approachable and helpful, and that people are comfortable to come to us. I think that's because we're friendly and know that a smile and a little bit of kindness go such a long way. We get such a variety of requests at Renfrewshire House, but we pride ourselves on helping people wherever we can, even if that means stepping outside our day-to-day role. We do really care and if we can help someone, we will, and often go above and beyond.

A typical day usually involves...
Opening up Renfrewshire House and getting it ready for first staff arrivals at 6.30am then the customer services centre at 8am. Briefing my team ready for their day, sorting and delivering mail, parcels, and equipment. Answering staff and public queries, franking outgoing mail, cleaning the building, testing and maintaining alarm systems and a whole lot of weird and wonderful enquiries and requests that come our way.

It really is all about the team...
They are brilliant. From the managers to staff, they work so hard, under trying circumstances and I am proud to be their manager. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the great work they do and it shouldn't be taken for granted.

If I could change one thing about working here...
I wouldn't change much to be honest. I have a fantastic team, we work hard, and we enjoy what we do. A lot has changed for the better over the past year and I'm happy with the direction we're going in.

My biggest achievement to date...

Professionally - would have to be the work we do with Project Search. I'm so proud of the team I have around me and they way they have embraced the opportunities for these kids and supported them in every way possible.

Personally - its my lovely daughter and newborn granddaughter Charlotte. I'm delighted to be a granny!

If I manage to get any spare time, I like to...
Go to the theatre and eat out with my friends. I love concerts too. My friend and I even wrote in to TV years ago trying to pitch for the chance to sing live with The Four Tops. Sadly, it didn't happen. My favourite musicals are Shrek and Billy Elliott and I love listening to Adele, Sam Smith and Bruno Mars.

For me, #LivingOurValues means that...
I continue to treat people the way I like to be treated: with respect, friendliness and care. I love the people side of my job, I really enjoy helping people - I get great job satisfaction. For my team, it means making these values relevant and personal to them. While I'm happy where I am in my career, I always look to further develop my team, support them to take up training opportunities and keep learning. Living our values means being kind, listening and being there for each other through the ups and downs of life.