Previous WOW! Award Winners

June 2006 - The Launch

The WOW scheme was launched in libraries and registrars in June 2006.

December 2006 - Spreading the word

Word is spreading, and community worker Sara wins even though her service is not in the pilot. Said one resident: "The service Sara provides goes beyond the call of duty. She was personally concerned for the success of our project, and it is a pleasure to deal with her. Her smile can even be heard on the phone!"

Other winners include registrars, customer service staff and mobile librarians.

April 2007 - The scheme rolls out

The scheme is rolled out across the council after the pilot attracted more than 400 nominations from satisfied customers in just nine months, while local hero Diane from customer services picks up another award.

July 2007

The latest council-wide awards include Bill from Haringey Accord (left), whose nominator wrote: “He’s friendly, he gives you the time of day, he spreads a little joy around, he always has a smile on his face for you – and he cleans up our estate with the help of his mates – unsung heroes. Thanks Bill.”

September 2007 - National recognition

The Haringey WOW achievement is recognised when customer focus manager Chris McLean takes a national prize at the prestigious National Customer Service Awards. By that stage more than 1,000 nominations had been received.

The scheme was celebrated during national customer service week with a winners’ get together, including Cllr Lorna Reith and WOW awards founder Derek Williams.

January 2008 - Diane’s success

They keep coming – including a third award for Diane in Customer Services who at that stage had 48 nominations. One comment: “Diane was polite, very helpful and did not show any agitation. She did all that she could plus more – and she smiled.”

Diane is pictured with Cllr Reith, assistant director for Customer Focus Kevin Gibbs and Corporate Resources director Julie Parker.