Yorkshire-based group Valli Opticians recently held its annual conference and staff awards at the Cedar Court Hotel in Ainley Top.
The group gathered all staff from its 14 practices for a fairground-themed conference where branch twinning was the key theme, encouraging twinned practices to work alongside each other for the coming year, providing mentoring and support.
Julie Williams, optical adviser at Valli Opticians in Honley, was delighted to be twinned with her colleagues in Cheshire. ‘We hit it off straightaway with our twinned colleagues in Hyde and had a great day eating popcorn and candy floss, and playing tin can alley. It really took me back to my childhood,’ said Williams.
The evening staff awards ceremony recognised those who performed well in practice over the past 12 months.
Optometrist John Grayson was given the Kamal Aftab award for clinical excellence. The award was created in memory of Valli OO Kamal Aftab, who passed away from leukemia in 2015.
The branch of the year award was given to Valli Opticians in Meltham for its significant growth and outstanding clinical and customer care.