THE dedication and loyalty of staff at Mistley's Acorn Village has been marked at a special ceremony.

The charity, which supports adults with learning disabilities and is based in Clacton Road, is celebrating the long service of 21 employees who have worked more than 350 years between them!

It includes Gary Balls, who has completed for more than 30 years' service, as well as Jean Ashby, Dianne Garrad, Dawn Lovett, Emily Simpson, Michelle Turner, Nicola Sheppard, Jasmine Wagner, Kelly Windred, who have all worked for more than 20 years.

John Bodin, Steve Bartlett, Jade Huckle, Dionne Clarke, Sheree Goff, Sadie Minter, Wendy Kemp and Rima Slavinskiene have worked for 15 years, while Phil Wilden, Jacqui Cuffy, Lesley Webb and Julie Kessler have all served for ten years.

The varied roles the group of staff do at Acorn Village include support and senior support workers, deputy and home managers, operations manager, creative craft centre manager, workshop facilitator and finance assistant.

These roles are throughout both the residential and supported living services and are all vital to effective running of the organisation.

Michelle Cook, chief executive, said: “The wonderful family-centred heart of Acorn Village and the care and support given to our residents and tenants can only be achieved through the dedicated work of our employees.

"It is a great honour to recognise these milestones at the long service awards ceremony.”

The ceremony comes as staff and service-users this year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the charity being formed to provide accommodation, care and support and activities for adults with learning disabilities so they can achieve their full potential.

Phil Wilden is the manager of the Creative Craft Centre, which is based on the 14-acre site. and is celebrating his 10-year work anniversary.

He said: “I love working at Acorn. I enjoy coming into work and look forward to all the future plans we have in the craft centre. 2023 is going to be lots of fun.”

The Acorn Trust was launched in September 1972 in a bid to create a more imaginative approach to care.