Thomas Whalley, of Active Lancashire’s Active Seconds Retail Hub, is proudly celebrating his recent accolade as the recipient of the Apprentice of the Year award at the prestigious Hyndburn Business Awards. The ceremony, which honours the exceptional businesses and organisations that contribute to the growth and vitality of Hyndburn, took place on June 15 at the Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel.
The Apprentice of the Year award recognises a Hyndburn apprentice who has exhibited remarkable commitment to personal and professional growth, overcome new challenges, and made a significant positive impact within their company over the past year. Thomas’s outstanding dedication and accomplishments earned him this esteemed recognition.
Active Seconds, located in Accrington’s Arndale Centre, serves as the retail and wellbeing hub for the Challenge through Sport Initiative programme. Under the guidance of Active Lancashire, Active Seconds operates as a second-hand retail outlet while also supporting community interest groups and organising social activities for the community.
Thomas initially joined Active Seconds as an apprentice, focusing on the online sales of the shop through reselling platforms. As his responsibilities grew, he took charge of the shop's social media presence, as well as opening and closing duties. Through his hard work and dedication, Thomas has proven himself to be an invaluable and trusted team member at Active Seconds.
Expressing his excitement about winning the award, Thomas exclaimed, "My first thought was, 'Oh no, I have to get up!' But then I couldn't believe it."
Kristy Telford, Retail Manager at Active Seconds, shared her pride in Thomas's development and growth within the organisation. She stated, "I'm incredibly proud of Thomas and how he has evolved into a reliable and respected member of our team. This award is a testament to his unwavering commitment and hard work, and he truly deserves this recognition."
Furthermore, Active Seconds demonstrated their commitment to workforce development by becoming finalists in the Workforce Development category. This recognition underscores their dedication to fostering the growth and development of their employees.
