We are thrilled to announce that Alex Allan has won the Best Employee of the Year at the 2025 Sussex Business Conference & Awards.

The Sussex Business Conference and Awards were held on Thursday, October 9th.

The reason why we nominated Alex Allan

Alex’s role as a Progression Coach supporting young people in Supported Lodgings has gone far beyond the expectations of her position. She has a remarkable natural ability to build strong, professional, and trusting relationships with the young people she works with, many of whom have been previously hesitant or resistant to receiving support.

Alex consistently demonstrates outstanding flexibility in meeting the individual needs of each young person, playing a pivotal role in their journey from initial placement through to moving on. Her dedication has directly contributed to transforming lives, offering stability, encouragement, and practical guidance every step of the way.

One particularly powerful example of her impact involves a young person who had been experiencing homelessness and was living on the streets prior to moving into Supported Lodgings with 3 Bridge Solution CIC. The young person had struggled with dysregulation and displayed challenging behaviour, having previously disengaged from support and found it difficult to build trust with professionals. From the outset, Alex worked with patience, consistency, and empathy – quickly forming a meaningful connection alongside the Supported Lodgings Host. Through her steady and trauma-informed approach, she built a strong foundation of trust and support, helping the young person develop a daily routine, improve their self-care, and learn how to stay safe and make positive choices. As a result of this sustained support, the young person recently began their first part-time job and is now preparing to start college, ready to take their next steps into independent living.

Alex’s commitment to young people often extends well beyond standard working hours. She is known for checking in during evenings and weekends, and even on her days off, to ensure that the young people she supports feel secure and heard. Her responsiveness and unwavering presence during moments of crisis or uncertainty have made a significant difference in the lives of the young people she works with.

Beyond her direct work with young people, Alex has also played a vital role in supporting new colleagues, offering shadowing opportunities and setting a high standard through her calm, confident, and welcoming approach. She leads by example, helping to foster a culture of compassion, consistency, and professionalism within the team.

Alex’s ongoing commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for young people is exceptional. She continues to nurture and maintain excellent working relationships with Supported Lodgings Hosts and Social Workers, strengthening the wider network of care around each individual.

We are incredibly grateful to have Alex as part of our Progression Coach team. Her work is not only impactful, it is truly inspiring, and she is a highly deserving nominee for this award.

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