Tees Active has again been awarded the Customer Service Excellence (CSE) standard by Government inspectors following a comprehensive two-day assessment.
Tees Active, which works in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, was awarded the national accrediation after inspectors toured leisure venues, and talked to customers, staff, community groups, and business partners.
Major inspections are carried out every three years, and Allan McDermott, Tees Active’s Community Engagement Manager, described the latest assessment as “testament to the hard work of staff across the organisation”.
“It again demonstrates that we put our customers at the heart of everything we do, and we are thrilled to receive this independent recognition of that customer-focused philosophy,” said Mr McDermott.
Areas of the Tees Active operation rated as outstanding in the inspectors’ report included childcare provision, employment and training, and partnership work in the community.
Community projects highlighted included the ‘Warm Welcome’ initiative – a social group piloted at Thornaby Indoor Bowls Club and then Billingham Forum, featuring activities such as bingo, arts and crafts, games of bowls, and chair-based exercises.
The pioneering Care Home Legends initiative, which enables care home residents to visit venues and take part in a range of leisure activities, was also praised.
The Care Home Legends activities include ice skating at Billingham Forum Ice Arena, which was ranked the second-best ice rink in the country in a national survey at the start of the year.
Leon Jones, Tees Active’s Managing Director, said: “Everything we do is about putting customers first, and everyone in the organisation is dedicated to maintaining the high standards we’ve set.
“It’s one thing to reach the highest standards in customer care, but another to maintain them year after year, and the retention of the Customer Service Excellence mark is important, independent recognition of that commitment.
“Our challenge is to go on finding ways to improve, so there can be no resting on our laurels.”
Councillor Steve Nelson, Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, added: “Providing high quality leisure activities is a key priority for the local authority and this excellent national assessment shows that our customers are receiving the great service they deserve.”