In May and June, Westward Care staff members voted for their 11 new employees of the month, as staff across all locations continued to demonstrate the core Westward Care values of trust, kindness, respect and teamwork.

Marie De Meglio was named our At Home Service employee of the month for May, with multiple colleagues citing Marie’s kindness and caring nature as their reasons for voting for her. Others called Marie a great team member, with one colleague writing that Marie is “passionate about her job”.

Over at Headingley Hall, receptionist Rebecca Ekenimoh was named employee of the month in May, followed by Pamela Dean in June. Colleagues who voted for Rebecca, who was last named an employee of the month in December 2024, wrote that she is “happy and cheerful throughout the day” and “works happily with everyone”. June voters meanwhile wrote that Pamela “works so hard in the laundry room”, making her something of a quiet hero working behind the scenes.

In May, support worker Annie Gwedegwe was named Southlands’ employee of the month, while Michelle Wood was voted a star employee for the location in June. One colleague who voted for Annie wrote that she is a “caring and reliable” person who always “goes above and beyond”, while adding that her “positive attitude and dedication make a real difference every day”. Those who voted for Michelle in June wrote that she has thrown herself into her new role, by treating those in her team with kindness and respect and quickly securing a “position of trust with the residents”. This marks the third time Michelle has been named an employee of the month, with her fellow staff having previously voted for her in November 2024 and February 2026.

For The Cedars, care assistant Bessie Chimani was voted employee of the month in May, while Daniel Ndubueze took the title in June. Recently named a Values Champion for consistently living the Westward Care values in her work, Bessie was called “kind-hearted, patient and a good listener” by one colleague, while another said that Bessie was “always ready to step up”. Daniel was singled out in June with effusive praise from colleagues, who wrote that Daniel “has shown great leadership and organisational skills” and “makes time to give person-centered care”, with no job being “too small or too great”. It was also noted that Daniel is “very respectful towards residents – he will always respect their wishes, providing choices”.

At Pennington Court, Fakhrul Ahmed and Leonie Hayford were named employees of the month in May and June, respectively. One colleague wrote that Fakhrul is always “smiling, friendly and a pleasure to be around”, and someone who remains “pleasant and approachable, even during busy and high pressure periods”. Leonie, meanwhile, was called “a hardworking and committed staff member”, who “handles residents with great calmness and kindness, and knows their needs and routines extremely well”.

In June, Hunslet Moor House staff named Jodie Horrocks their employee of the month. One colleague wrote that Jodie “picks up shifts and helps out when needed”, while another noted that if the Hunslet team is ever “falling behind, Jodie will help out so we are back on track”.

Last but not least, Senior Finance Officer Lara Owens was voted June’s employee of the month at Head Office. Called “approachable, knowledgeable and willing to help others”, Lara was also referred to as someone who always takes “the time to explain things in detail”. Having had a big impact on the Head Office team’s approach to reporting data, Lara’s skills amazed one colleague, who wrote: “I’m not particularly a whizz on using Excel/spreadsheets, and Lara makes it look so easy. I do think there’s an element of sorcery involved!” This is Lara’s second time taking the employee of the month title, after she was previously singled out as an exemplary employee in December 2025.

Congratulations to Marie, Rebecca, Pamela, Annie, Michelle, Bessie, Daniel, Fakhrul, Leonie, Jodie and Lara on being named employees of the month in May and June. Thanks also go out to the Westward Care staff who voted, and who continue to do such amazing work.