Heroes of 2021: Elizabeth Garrett, MLCO

‘Heroes of 2021’ is IMPOWER’s annual end of year celebration, acknowledging the fantastic individuals and teams we have worked with this year. We are inspired by the passion and commitment of all our partners to deliver better outcomes for their citizens, but IMPOWER colleagues have nominated clients who have particularly stood out to them this year. 

Nominated by: Mark Methven, Associate

Elizabeth (Liz) is a Social Work Consultant for the South locality in the Manchester Local Care Organisation. She has been involved in the Communities of Practice that have been established as part of the Better Outcomes, Better Lives programme.

Liz has taken on a critical supportive role to the Communities of Practice, injecting energy into them and making sure that they continuously add value to the day-to-day roles of Manchester’s social work teams. She has stepped into this role with enthusiasm and skill, sometimes having to experiment with, and support, new ways of working to make sure that social care professionals have the opportunity for peer learning and critical self-reflection.

She was one of the first colleagues to embrace the Communities of Practice, and has kept the change momentum going, despite grappling with the ever-growing complexities and pressures faced by social work teams alongside. She has supported colleagues, and taken an active role herself, in trying new and novel approaches to support frontline practice development, enhance knowledge, and bring energy and focus that has brought strengths-based approaches to life.

We consider ourselves lucky to work with someone as committed to making life better for Manchester citizens as Liz. That’s why she is our Hero of 2021!