Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska
Expert counsellor Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinka has her fingers firmly crossed that her social enterprise will be a winner in a national competition.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lincoln-based Naomi Watkins Counselling Hub Community Interest Company (NWCH CIC) is over the moon to learn that it has been shortlisted in two categories in the Business Success Recognition Awards 2023.
Energetic Naomi – who heads up a strong team of about 25 employed and sub-contracted workers – can hardly wait for the glittering awards event at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on June 3.
The finalist in the Team of the Year and Business Leader of the Year categories will be joined by some of her colleagues for this special occasion.
NWCH, which is based on Lincoln’s Allenby Business Park, is a not-for-profit enterprise which has enjoyed rapid growth since it was formed just six years ago.
The counselling hub offers individual therapy for everyone, from bullied children, to sufferers of domestic and sexual abuse, the bereaved, those at risk of self and other with suicide ideation. NWCH has also formed support group and run high-profile conferences.
Naomi said: “I’m thrilled NWCH has been shortlisted for these awards. I am passionate about making a difference by helping people to get their lives back of track and doing everything possible to save lives too.
“We have become increasingly busy, which is why we take every opportunity to chase sources such as the National Lottery and other potential sources of funding, because we want to help as many people as possible.
“What we do is very rewarding work and there have been many high spots, but one that really stands out for me is the way in which we responded to our clients and rising waiting list during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It was a very challenging time for everyone, but I was I was determined to ensure that our existing clients could continue with their individual programmes and that we could also start supporting those on our waiting list.
“Although we had to stop offering face-to-face sessions, my brilliant team backed me when I decided to transition to providing sessions online or over the telephone. It was a mind-blowing moment for all of us when we realised we were delivering 800 sessions a month!,” added Naomi.
Business Success Network founder Stacey Calder, who established the awards to celebrate the fantastic work being done by businesses and individuals within the UK business community said: “The Business Success team independently judged over 300 entries and shortlisted the finalists and a team of expert judges selected the winners in each category.
“These awards come at a time when recognition for small businesses is critical. It makes me incredibly proud to be able to give a platform for small businesses, to not only recognise their achievements, but to give them a way to raise their profile and showcase what they do. Visibility is key to a business at any time, but right now it’s vital,” added Stacey.
