Countdown’s Quiet Hour has won the Geneva Healthcare Industry Award for its efforts in helping educate the community about autism. Kirsten Dinnan from Countdown Marton received the award as part of the Geneva Healthcare’s annual Pillars Awards. Kristen and her team were praised for implementing a quiet hour in-store and helping to bring light to the issues faced by customers or their family members who are impacted by autism.
“I’m delighted to have won this award and am really proud to work for a company like Countdown that gave me the freedom to bring this initiative to life,” said Kirsten Dinnan.
“We always want to provide a shopping environment where our customers and team feel really welcome, safe and comfortable. We’d heard of dedicated low-sensory shopping times overseas and one of our Countdown Marton team members, who has first-hand experience as the parent of an autistic child, suggested a Quiet Hour for Autism Awareness Week.”
“We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback, so much so that Countdown Marton has permanently set aside a Quiet Hour every week and now more Countdown stores are introducing the initiative as well. It’s amazing to know that we can make such a difference to some of our customers,” she added.
The Geneva Healthcare’s annual Pillars Awards recognises those who go above and beyond to help make a difference and empower communities despite age, disability, illness or injury.
