Pennington Court has appointed Laura Clark as its new Registered Manager as part of Westward Care’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality care for older people across Leeds.

Laura brings extensive leadership experience from both residential and dementia care settings, including over a decade working in senior management roles across Yorkshire. Known for her hands-on approach, strong team development skills and passion for person-centred care, she will lead the Pennington Court team as the service continues to strengthen its offer for older people.

Laura said she is “delighted to join such a committed team at a time of real investment and innovation”, adding: “Pennington Court is full of people who deeply care about residents and want to do their absolute best. My focus is on coaching, empowering and supporting our staff to deliver excellent, compassionate care every day.”

Laura’s appointment comes at a significant moment for Westward Care, which is currently investing in major service enhancements at Pennington Court, including the development of a brand-new, 27-bed bespoke dementia unit. The new unit is being developed using evidence-based design principles and expert clinical input to create a calming, therapeutic and secure environment where residents living with dementia can thrive. The unit will offer spacious interiors, a private sensory-friendly garden, and an approach rooted in the latest research and best practice.

Westward Care Managing Director Peter Hodkinson welcomed Laura’s appointment and spoke about the ongoing investment at Pennington Court, saying: “We are committed to continuous improvement across all Westward Care services, and Pennington Court is no exception. Laura brings significant experience from her management of other care homes in Leeds and consistently has achieved ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ ratings in CQC areas, so we look forward to her bringing this experience to Pennington Court.

“The significant investment in our new dementia unit, staff development and leadership structures reflects our determination to deliver consistently high standards of care for our residents and our community.”

The Pennington Court dementia unit and its development will be informed by Westward Care’s partnership with the University of Leeds, and has incorporated insights from the LOADS project (Layout, Orientation, Ambience, Decor and Sensory stimulation) to create a supportive, evidence-informed living environment.

Alongside what will be a new dementia care offer, Pennington Court continues to provide high-quality residential care and modern extra care apartments, which support older people to live safely and independently with flexible care on hand. Residents also benefit from an active, creative activities programme, including everything from indoor bowls and visiting musicians, to intergenerational art projects with pupils from Greenmount Primary School and even the occasional visit from friendly llamas.

Pennington Court is now accepting referrals for its dementia service, and welcomes enquiries from families and professionals.

For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Laura Clark at:

Telephone: 0113 228 4040

Email: pennington@westwardcare.co.uk