Charter Mark ceremony recognises 63 NI organisations

Public service organisations from Northern Ireland received Charter Mark awards at a ceremony in London.

The 63 Charter Mark winners from Northern Ireland were congratulated by Mr Denis Haughey and Mr James Leslie Ministers in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister at the ceremony which took place on February 26.

Introduced in 1992, the scheme aims to recognise improving standards of customer care across all public services and to encourage excellence.

Winners include schools, hospitals, organisations and agencies. Praising the Charter Mark award winners, Mr Leslie, said: “The awards reflect the professionalism and commitment of staff providing a quality service to their customers every single day. I know how much effort they have all put in to achieve such a coveted award.

“By winning Charter Mark awards 63 local organisations have shown that they have gone the extra mile in looking after their customers. I not only want to say well done to them, but I want to encourage other local public service organisations to go for this valuable award.”

Mr Haughey said that he joined these organisations in celebrating their "terrific achievement" as public services played a "vital role" in the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland.

Four Northern Ireland winners are being awarded their fourth Charter Mark. Four have received their third Charter Mark and twenty-seven have achieved their second Charter Mark.

Mr Haughey said: “This points to the fact that they have not only maintained their standards of excellence over the past three years, but have improved still further.”

All public sector organisations that deal directly or indirectly with the public can apply for Charter Mark. To receive an award, they must show that they have consistently high standards in delivering services to their customers, and that they make every effort to listen to their users' views.

Research indicates that compared to services without a Charter Mark, those holding the award have higher standards, faster delivery times, and a higher level of customer satisfaction.

(AMcE)