Kingsley Healthcare celebrates its 25th anniversary with regional care awards

National care provider Kingsley Healthcare has celebrated its 25th anniversary with regional awards for staff at its care homes and home care branches across the East of England.

The awards, hosted by ITV Anglia news anchors David Whiteley and Becky Jago, were staged at the Ivy House Country Hotel, in Oulton Broad, the suburb of Lowestoft where Kingsley was launched in 1999 with the purchase of Lilac Lodge Care Home; entertainment was provided by Four Seasons tribute band Frankie’s Guys.

Kingsley CEO Daya Thayan, who founded the Lowestoft-based business with his wife Sumi, welcomed the 112 staff attending, telling them: “This day means so much to us. We are a family business and you are part of this family. The East, particularly Lowestoft, holds a special place in our hearts as it is where we began our journey.

“Every time we visit, we witness the outstanding work you do as our teams, always with a smile. We can have the most impressive buildings, but they alone don’t make a great care home. It is your dedication that truly matters.

“Over the past 25 years, it has been an immense pride to work and partner with so many of you. Today we are in 36 locations, caring for over 1,500 residents with 2,200 colleagues. We will be commissioning four new services between now and October 2024.

“However, our vision when we set up Kingsley Healthcare was not about how many care homes we wanted to own, but the difference we make to people’s lives. We have steadfastly committed to our family values of kindness, compassion and empathy in all we do.”

Co-Chief Operating Officer Debbie McGovern said the awards were “testament to the incredible talent and dedication that thrives within our group. It is an opportunity to showcase the remarkable individuals who have worked tirelessly in their respective roles”.

She added: “I started my journey with Kingsley in Jan 2001. Over the past quarter of a century, we have witnessed many changes and challenges. Yet, through it all, one constant has remained - the unwavering commitment and passion of our people who work tirelessly. Congratulations to all our nominees and winners, and here’s to many more years of success and excellence.”

Regional Operations Director Tony Holland said: “We should be rightly proud of everything that has been celebrated here today and just take a moment to realise that this is what sets us apart – it has set us apart and above some of the giants in the industry, a fact evidenced in the recent Health Investor’s award for Best Large Group Residential Elderly Care Provider of the Year.”

Zena Stotter, who has been home manager at Lilac Lodge for eight years, was announced as Care Home Manager Award for Suffolk, judges commenting that her standards are set exceptionally high and she never wavers from them.

Meanwhile, Jane Shiner, manager at St Clements Nursing Home, in Norwich, took the award for Norfolk, judges saying that her high standards are reflected in every aspect of the home.

Aaron West, manager at Lynfield, Kingsley’s learning disability service near Bungay, clinched the Specialist Services Care Home Manager Award, judges describing him as a “born leader who demands the highest standards”.

Hannah Daley, who runs Kingsley’s home care branch in Diss, won the Home Care Manager Award.

Founders’ Special Awards for exceptional long service went to Lukasz Wawrzenczyk, Operations Manager, Toni Atkinson, manager of The Laurels learning disability service, in Lowestoft; Victoria Franklin, manager of Colne House, in Earls Colne, Essex; Zena Stotter, Lilac Lodge; Aaron West, Lynfield; Alison Lake, manager at Brooke House; Laura Sebborn, manager at Wisteria House, Ipswich; Binu Augustine, manager at Buckingham Lodge; Jo Pilbrow, Group Operations Manager Specialist Services.

Kingsley is also hosting regional awards in the South, North West and Midlands ahead of a grand Kingsley 25th Anniversary Awards celebration in Suffolk in September.

Suffolk and Essex winners:

Registered Nurse of the Year - Christine Dinnage - The Depperhaugh, near Eye
Support Worker of the Year - Sandra Moss - The Depperhaugh
Activities Coordinator of the Year - Tracey Alexander - Hadleigh Nursing Home
Care Home Business Support Champion - Karen Whayman - Hadleigh Nursing Home
Care Home Support Services Champion - Dave Hunter - Kirkley Manor, Lowestoft
Chef of the Year - Andrew Gray - Spring Lodge, Woolverstone
Rising Star - Jomy James - Kirkley Manor

Norfolk winners:

Registered Nurse of the Year - Aneta Dent - Buckingham Lodge, near Watton
Support Worker of the Year - Gemma Baldry - Thorp House, near Watton
Activities Coordinator of the Year - Marcia Hughes -Thorp House
Care Home Business Support Champion - Jenny Barnes - Downham Grange, Downham Market
Care Home Support Services Champion - Emilia Zera - Brooke House, near Norwich
Chef of the Year - Eszter Kosztolanczi - Buckingham Lodge
Rising Star - Rebecca Hough - King’s Court, Holt

Specialist Services winners:

Registered Nurse of the Year - Sue Brown - Decoy Farm, near Great Yarmouth
Support Worker of the Year - Sam Coote - Decoy Farm
Care Home Business Support Champion - Jemma Carroll - Decoy Farm
Care Home Support Services Champion - Maggie Tomset - Glebe Farm
Rising Star - Katie Woodward - Lynfield

Home Care winners: 

Support Worker of the Year - Donna Moran - Lowestoft branch
Home Care Business Support Champion - Leanne Chesney - Lowestoft
Rising Star - Donna Moran - Lowestoft.