Frances Hunter, Outstanding Public Service Worker Of The Year

The women Frances Hunter works with are often facing a range of life’s challenges, from anxiety, depression or abuse, to mental health issues or dependence on drugs or alcohol.

Four years ago, on behalf of North Lanarkshire council, she devised and sought funding for Positive Options for Women (POW), a programme to support and mentor vulnerable women who were lone parents.

The main role of the project is to provide a training course, delivered during school hours and within the women’s local community, increasing their chances of finding work, through a personal development programme to build confidence and “soft” skills.

After the seven week, part-time course, Hunter ensures ongoing support is in place, beginning with a more work-focused course and other support. She stays in touch with those who have attended POW to encourage them as they encounter other agencies such as Sure Start, Working for Families, Social Work and Addiction services in North Lanarkshire and monitor their progress, typically staying in contact with participants for up to a year.

The programme is now proving its worth, with 14 courses having taken place, in which 215 women have taken part, 140 of whom have gained employment or moved on to additional training.

Frances’s underlying goal was to persuade participants that they have a right to realise their potential, and instil in them the confidence they need, whether that was to move on into employment, further education or tackling other issues in their lives.

Her colleague John Walker, who nominated her, says: “Frances is inspirational and a one-off. She is a diamond who is often able to go beyond the bureaucracy that the public sector sometimes suffers from to help people.

“Frances will never give up on anyone and has often gone above and beyond the call of duty. Her care and compassion are major assets but she also uses her strength of character to help people understand they have value and can achieve.”

One of the participants in the POW programme said it had made her life easier and made her feel better about herself. “Just a couple of months ago I thought it would be easier for everyone if I died but now I feel I can get there for my kids, me and everyone else. I can now see a future.”

Hunter said the Society Awards had helped demonstrate the difference public service could make to people’s lives: “If my project makes a difference to one person that is fantastic.”