Triumph over tragedy

Tue, Jan 9th 2007, 11:00

When Barbara Linney was awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ by her colleagues at Redrow Homes, it put a smile on her face after a difficult year.

Barbara, 58, who works as a receptionist for the Bristol-based housebuilder, sadly lost her husband to cancer earlier this year - but bravely continued to work throughout the heartbreaking time.

She says: “My husband, Cliff, insisted that I continue coming to work during his illness – I think he somehow knew that I’d need the distraction of having somewhere to be each day after he’d gone.

“It never crossed my mind that I would win, so I had a good cry when my colleagues told me. Everybody at Redrow has been extremely supportive and it’s just lovely to feel so appreciated.”

Barbara has worked for Redrow since moving to Bristol 13 years ago with Cliff when his employer transferred him to the area. Before this, she set up the reprographics department for Mothercare in the South East, taking care of brochures and signage for the company.

Rob Slocombe, managing director of Redrow Homes (South West), based at Bradley Stoke, Bristol, says: “Barbara has had a very difficult year and we’re overwhelmed by her strength of character, and the loyalty she has shown to the company by continuing to come to work each day. She has always been a highly valued member of the team, and her award for ‘employee of the year’ is long overdue and richly deserved.”

A keen gardener, Barbara says that helping people is the best part of her job: “People think that being a receptionist isn’t difficult, but it’s a very varied role and as I’m the first human contact most people get with the company, it’s important for me to create a good impression. Helping people with their questions or problems is really satisfying – I’m a people person, because after all, people are what life’s about.”

And she has no doubt what Cliff would think of her award: “Oh he’d be very proud of me, very proud.”

Redrow Homes (South West) is a subsidiary of the award-winning Redrow plc, which builds around 5,000 new homes each year. The Bristol-based division is currently building in Weston-super-Mare, Swindon, Gloucester, Nailsworth, Chippenham, Westbury and Trowbridge.

For more information about a career with Redrow, please visit www.redrowcareers.co.uk, or call 0845 676 0500.