Caring award

Louise McCloskey, manager of Longfield Care Centre in Eglinton, won the regional category of the award for Trainer of the Year through the Southern Cross Healthcare Group.

Longfield Care Centre offers nursing care for older adults, as well as catering for younger adults with physical disability.

Following Louise's success at the Regional Awards Louise will now progress to the national final in Blackpool on March 4, where she will be eligible to win the Southern Cross Grand Prix, which is the UK overall final, where she will compete against other regional winners in the national leg of the awards.

It is a fantastic accolade for Louise and for Longfield Care Centre, where Louise and her team of 50 staff care for 46 residents.

Commenting on her success so far, Louise said: "I was overwhelmed to receive such a distinguished award and acknowledgement for my hard work, and was really touched to discover that so many of my colleagues had nominated me. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for me so far.

"I feel that I've been given the opportunities to develop my career within the company, and I can help others to progress through the training I deliver then that's a great feeling. My priority is to provide the very best personalized care, and we are able to do that because we have such dedicated and caring staff," she said.

Louise admitted that she was both nervous and excited about her forthcoming trip to England.

"It is being held in the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool, so it's a black tie event - at least it gives me a chance to wear a ballgown," she quipped.

Louise was nominated by Marlene Featherstone, the former operations manager, who has since left the home.

Southern Cross Healthcare had over 8,000 nominees nationwide for the awards.