Council strikes gold at awards ceremony

Lisburn City Council is delighted to have retained its Gold Charter status for its work in relation to domestic violence and abuse.
Pictured at the recent Onus Annual Awards Ceremony where the Council received its Gold Workplace Charter are: (l-r) Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chair of the Council's Environmental Services Committee; the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing; Sandra Pinion and Brona Turley, Designated Safeguarding Officers, Lisburn City Council.Pictured at the recent Onus Annual Awards Ceremony where the Council received its Gold Workplace Charter are: (l-r) Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chair of the Council's Environmental Services Committee; the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing; Sandra Pinion and Brona Turley, Designated Safeguarding Officers, Lisburn City Council.
Pictured at the recent Onus Annual Awards Ceremony where the Council received its Gold Workplace Charter are: (l-r) Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chair of the Council's Environmental Services Committee; the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Andrew Ewing; Sandra Pinion and Brona Turley, Designated Safeguarding Officers, Lisburn City Council.

The Council works in partnership with Onus to support both policy making and good practice on domestic violence and abuse, and how it affects the workplace.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chair of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, speaking about the Award, said: “I was delighted to attend the recent Onus Annual Awards Ceremony and hear about all the good work of organisations in Northern Ireland to help reduce domestic violence and abuse.

“Lisburn City Council last year trained all its line managers on the difficult and emotive subject of domestic violence and abuse.

“Over the past year, it has been working with people affected by this issue and promoting the work of Onus through advertising in its public areas.

“I am very pleased that the Council is offering a supportive role to all of its employees who may be affected by this issue.

“All council facilities are designated SAFE PLACES and anyone can access free information at these facilities. Council reception staff have also been trained to provide confidential information to the public.

“Domestic abuse can take many forms – emotional, physical, sexual, verbal and financial; and all of these not only affect the individual but also any children who are within the family.

“The Council would like to see Lisburn being awarded Safe City status and looks forward to engaging with the local Health Trust on this matter.”

Lisburn City Council received its Gold Workplace Charter at a recent event in Belfast City Hall that was attended by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nichola Mallon; Justice Minister David Ford and PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton.