TWO Dorset care home staff members are celebrating after being named on the shortlist for prestigious regional awards.

General manager Mevin Sohorye and senior carer Louise Gibson, who both work at the Upton Bay care home in Poole have been named as finalists in the Great British Care Awards 2024.

Mevin has been selected as a finalist for General Manager of the Year for the South East region, while Louise is shortlisted in the Dementia Carer of the Year category.

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

As finalists, Mevin and Louise have been invited to attend the awards gala ceremony on November 15 at the Hilton Metropole Brighton, when the regional winners will be announced, before going on to the national final.

“Mevin has worked at Upton Bay since day one, recruited all staff at the home and has excellent staff retention,” a spokesperson said. “He has always worked in the care sector and as he worked his way up through the ranks to general manager, understands every role.”

Louise had a long career in retail before moving to the care sector in order to find a more fulfilling role.

She had completed courses on mental health in her previous role and realised she wanted to help people living with dementia.

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“I can honestly say changing career to work in the social care sector is the best move I’ve ever made, I find it so rewarding knowing I’m helping people and bringing them comfort,” she said.

“I can’t believe I have been shortlisted for an award, that news brought a tear to my eye.”

Mevin added: “I don’t think I have ever been more shocked to read an email. I didn’t even know we had been nominated let alone shortlisted.

“I am so proud to be recognised for doing a job I absolutely love and to be valued by my team and our residents, I think it must mean I am doing something right.

“I’m even more proud of Louise, she is so wonderful with our residents, so thoughtful and caring.

“I have a fantastic team here at Upton Bay, we are a family and we all support each other, I couldn’t do it without having such brilliant people around me so these nominations really are for each and every one of us at Upton Bay.”

Barchester Healthcare’s regional director, Barbara Ozga, praised the pair.

“These nominations are so very well deserved,” she said. “I have had the pleasure of working alongside Mevin and Louise for many years and nothing is too much trouble for their teams or their residents.

“They both work tirelessly to ensure everyone in the home, whether they are residents or staff, have everything they need. I can’t think of anyone better to take home these awards.”