Received recognition for outstanding work performance
At the end of Welfare Day held last week, the Welfare Council presented its incentive awards. The awards, given annually since 2011, recognize Department of Welfare staff who have shown outstanding dedication, development or innovation in welfare services.
The goal of giving the incentive awards is to create an encouraging workplace culture and draw attention to thriving work in Reykjavík City's welfare affairs, as well as promote increased innovation and development work.
Two awards connected to Droplaugarstaðir
In the individual category, Mahmoud F. M. Abusaada received recognition. He is a nurse who works as nursing head of division for the ALS unit at Droplaugarstaðir nursing home. Mahmoud is from Palestine and came to Iceland in 2020. He started working at Droplaugarstaðir as a physical therapist assistant in early 2022. After his credentials were validated, he began working as a nurse at Droplaugarstaðir, and now, just over two years later, he leads the division. Mahmoud is known as a positive, hardworking and ambitious person who emphasizes good communication and collaboration.
These weren't the only awards connected to Droplaugarstaðir, as the nursing home also received recognition in the workplace category. The selection committee's justification states that Droplaugarstaðir staff are positive and ready to embrace innovation, learn, change for the better and make a good workplace continually better. At Droplaugarstaðir, various changes and improvements have been underway recently. In 2020, the facility implemented a quality system and earned international ISO 9001 certification. In 2022, the process of implementing the Eden Alternative philosophy began, with all staff participating. The home subsequently received international recognition as an Eden home for 2024-2027.
Completed important work implementing the Prosperity Act in Reykjavík
Implementation of the Prosperity Act in Reykjavík has been in full swing for the past two years, through Better City for Children. That implementation received the incentive award in the project category. The implementation is led by Hákon Sigursteinsson and Hulda Finnsdóttir. Many people at different city workplaces work with them to ensure the implementation reaches services effectively. The group includes executive directors, team leaders and division heads at City centers, Reykjavík Child Protection Services division heads and specialists at the Department of Welfare, Central Office.
Inspiring others through their work
Last but not least, social worker Edda Ólafsdóttir received recognition for successful work on behalf of welfare services. Her contribution to developing Department of Welfare services is considered invaluable. She has shown exceptional ambition and initiative in acquiring specialized professional knowledge about issues affecting people of foreign origin and sharing that knowledge with colleagues in the Department of Welfare and beyond. Edda has also drawn attention to what she calls the "back sides of the city," such as violence, prostitution and criminal activity. She has been a pioneer in discussion and education, shown courage and responsibility in tackling sensitive issues, and is considered both professional and compassionate in her entire approach. Edda works with sincerity, manages to engage people and create a positive and creative atmosphere around the issues she champions, thus inspiring others.
49 nominations received in total
All Department of Welfare staff had the opportunity to nominate an individual, workplace, group and/or project. Many noteworthy nominations were received by the selection committee, and the committee chose from those nominations. In total, 49 individuals, groups or projects were nominated, with 22 nominated in the individual category, 13 nominated in the groups/workplaces category and 14 nominated in the project category.