Hard-working Bingo Employee Wins Award

Paul Waite receives Individual of the Year award and appreciation from his peers.

Bingo hall worker Paul Waite was thrilled to win the top award of "Individual of the Year" at his place of employment.

Until five years ago, Paul (who has Down's Syndrome) had never worked in his life. He spent his time at a day centre, had limited numeric skills and needed a lot of one-on-one help. But that all changed when he started working in the cafe at Gala Bingo in Ashton.

After lots of support during his early days and training period, Paul is now an independent, valuable and very popular member of the staff. Paul, 29, was given a standing ovation when he was voted Individual of the Year at a glittering bash at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester.

He put his success at work down to teamwork, his manager Ann Shields and eating a lot of "brain food". Paul's mum Ruth said, "he has so many friends there and they treat him just the same as everyone else, which is all we ever wanted for him." Cafe manager Ann Shields, who taught Paul to count, operate the till, cook and serve the food, said: "He's brilliant, a real grafter. He is great with the customers. He asks them what they would like to eat and offers them things to go with it, which not all of the staff does.

"When I have to go get supplies, I often leave one of the other staff in charge while I'm away. Recently, I asked one of the other women to look after things, and Paul stepped forward saying he had been here five years and that he wanted to be in charge.

"I agreed and when I came back all the jobs had been done plus some extra ones as well, because he was so keen to impress."

Good work Paul!

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