APRIL 2024 | 27

known for the pastoral care of his players . I ’ ve tried to bring the ethos of me being ‘ coach ’ to the shopfloor . Lots of our staff love football and this understanding and respect of sport levels the playing field . So , for instance , there was a time I had to talk to the team about a challenging job and I said to them afterwards , “ if this was half time and we were down , what would you expect me to say ?” I wanted to show them that we ’ re all in this together . I wasn ’ t telling them off , I wanted to know how we could ’ ve done better – from them .

“ They understood where I was coming from . That ’ s because I understand where they ’ re coming from . Taking the time to get to know your staff means you can use it for the better of your business

. Then you are really making the most of the people around you , their skills , knowledge and potential . Knowing the inherent qualities and personal traits in your team means you ’ re not only ready to take opportunities as and when they arise but you can start to create new opportunities too , based on your team ’ s strengths .

“ But , just like sport you can have the best team spirit in the world , but if you ’ re not producing results , you aren ’ t going to be seen as successful . Front and centre of what we do at Shelforce is high quality products – life saving products when it comes to our fire doors – that are delivered in quantity , on time to very discerning customers . The fact we are now a supplier of choice for

Birmingham City Council proves those credentials .”

After the football analogy , it seems fitting that there ’ s a trophy cabinet to talk about too . They ’ re on display for the team that won them – and while it ’ s not all about that , it ’ s a brilliant reward to the work they want to do . Many of these awards have been received for diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and Shelforce is well known and respected in the industry and beyond for just this .

“ We ’ re not the ‘ disabled ’ factory ,” said Howard . “ If we ’ re talking about resilience , however , show me someone more resilient than a deaf person who wasn ’ t able to communicate with their peers at school , or a young person who grew up thinking they ’ d never get a job because of a health condition , or someone who missed an opportunity because they didn ’ t get help with some paperwork . “ At Shelforce we recognise everyone ’ s individual talent and the attributes that make them great . Our business is great because of that . Shelforce is not a charity . It is a thriving business built on resilience . The individual resilience of every team member , and our collective strength based on honesty , openness , teamwork , support and respect .”

Birmingham window and door manufacturer Shelforce has been shortlisted in the Diversity and Inclusion category at this year ’ s LGC Awards 2024 , on Wednesday 12 June 2024 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel .

We have continuously invested in the diversity of our staff

The LGC Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the local government calendar and recognise and celebrate outstanding examples of innovation and excellence delivered by councils nationwide .

Shelforce , a service within Birmingham City Council , impressed the judges with its entry centred around the opportunities the company provides for individuals with a complex , diverse range of disabilities and challenges .

With 75 % of its team of 31 staff disabled , the value Shelforce delivers goes beyond a financial return and its commitment to inclusivity in the workplace saw Shelforce receive the King ’ s Award for Enterprise in Promoting

Opportunity ( through social mobility ) last year .

Howard Trotter , Shelforce Business Manager , said : “ We have continuously invested in the diversity of our staff and have initiatives in place to train vulnerable people with a physical or mental disability to provide a career that they can excel at , and our increasing success is very much down to them .”

www . shelforce . com