THE manager of Barchester’s Kernow House care home in Launceston has been selected as a finalist for ‘General Manager of the Year’ for the South West region at the Great British Care Awards 2023. 

As the finalist for the South West, Leigh Stanley has been invited to attend the awards gala ceremony on November 23 at Aston Gate Bristol where his achievements will be celebrated, and the regional winners will be announced. 

All regional winners will then go through to the next round of judging to decide the national winners in each category.

After working for 13 years in the British Army, Leigh decided to train as a mental health nurse in order to support veterans experiencing PTSD.  During training however, he did a placement working with people living with dementia and immediately found his calling.  Leigh joined Barchester in 2016 as a newly qualified nurse working on a complex dementia ward at Kernow House. 

Leigh was promoted to general manager in 2021 and he is passionate about making the home the best possible environment for both his residents and his team, he has made it his business to focus on staff welfare and retention.  Everyone at Kernow House agrees Leigh has done a wonderful job and his positive attitude radiates throughout the home, putting everyone in a good mood.

He said: “I don’t think I have ever been more shocked to read an email! I didn’t even know I had been nominated let alone shortlisted!  

“I am so proud to be recognised for doing a job I absolutely love, I think it must mean I am doing something right!  I have a fantastic team here at Kernow House, we are a family and we all support each other, I couldn’t do it without having such brilliant people around me so this award really is for each and every one of us at Kernow.”

Barchester Healthcare’s managing director for Hospitals and Complex Care, Sue Gallagher, said: “This nomination is so very well deserved.  I have had the pleasure of working alongside Leigh for many years and nothing is too much trouble for his team or his residents.  

“He works tirelessly to ensure everyone in his home, whether they are residents or staff, has everything they need. I can’t think of anyone better to take home this award.”

The South West Regional Awards are part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of nine regional awards celebrating excellence across the care sector.  

The purpose of the awards is to promote best practice within both the home care and care home sectors, and pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.