A Growing Understanding Triumphs at 2023 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards
A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology celebrated an extraordinary achievement at the 2023 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards, securing victories in three categories: Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, Outstanding Business Leader, and the coveted Business of the Year.
Reflecting on the successes, Practice Director Lauren Haskins expressed immense pride in the team's continuous recognition:
“Since our humble beginnings as a Start-Up Superstar in 2018, our focus has always been on delivering high-quality speech therapy services," said Lauren.
"We are honoured and privileged to accept these awards. Through the provision of industry-leading care, we truly feel we are making a shift in not only the speech pathology profession but the paediatric allied health space, and this is because of our amazing team - our purple family of dedicated and inspired humans.”
A Growing Understanding is a leading private speech pathology service catering to children and adolescents with communication and feeding difficulties in the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and Maitland regions.
The principle of 'care' is at the heart of the service and has enabled the creation of a meaningful workplace that makes A Growing Understanding more than just a private practice - it's a community where everyone is encouraged to grow.
“As our business continues to grow and our team collectively strives for industry-leading success, we are continuously on the lookout for value-aligned humans to join us in our mission and provide exceptional speech pathology services for children and their families”, explained Lauren.
This year’s awards highlight A Growing Understanding’s core mission of creating an environment conducive to growth for all involved - children, families, community, and team members. One key achievement is their significant strides in Diversity and Inclusion:
"We are dedicated to providing genuine and authentic services that are accessible and representative of the diverse communities we serve. Our initiatives, from working towards the Rainbow Tick of Approval to establishing Translating and Interpreting Services, exemplify our commitment to an inclusive environment that values and respects individual experiences," shared Lauren.
Lauren Haskins' unwavering leadership was also celebrated with the Outstanding Business Leader award. Her contribution extends beyond A Growing Understanding, impacting the local community and the wider allied health industry. A prominent figure in various professional bodies and non-profit organisations, Lauren also donates her time and business acumen to local non-profits, including the Newcastle Agricultural Horticultural and Industrial Association, organisers of the Newcastle Show.
Her recognition of the importance of timely, high-quality services and information to support children’s development has led to many initiatives that respond to the community's needs.
The event's climax was A Growing Understanding being crowned Business of the Year, a testament to the collective effort and shared commitment of the entire ‘purple family’.
“We have remained focused on growing the skills and confidence of the children, families, and team members we support. When everyone has the support, education, and care to deliver exceptional services, we are all winners,” explained Lauren.
“Our Speech Pathologists and Client Experience Officers are genuinely passionate about supporting the growth and development of the families we work with. Together, we've built more than just a cultural ethos - we've built an organisation that is truly guided by care.”
This year's triumphs underscore A Growing Understanding's dedication to the community and commitment to inclusivity, setting them apart as a leading light in championing growth for all. With these wins, A Growing Understanding has proven, yet again, their commitment to quality, inclusion, and community-focused services.
