Mervyn Knights, Development and Standards Manager of Barchester Healthcare, was recently crowned as the national winner of the Foundation Champion category at the 2024 Barchester Care Awards on 23rd October.
The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 13,500 residents living in Barchester’s 262 care homes and private hospitals across the country. Categories range from ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.
Over 5,250 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Mervyn is over the moon to have been named the national winner, beating dozens of other nominees to the coveted title in recognition of all his hard work fundraising for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.
Earlier this year Mervyn came up with the genius idea of holding a Cook Off between the Managing Directors of Barchester’s five divisions to raise funds for Barchester’s Foundation which helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area. The event was a huge success. The MDs all produced amazing dishes of an exceptionally high standard and, supported by the homes in their divisions, collectively raised almost £25,000 for the Foundation.
Mervyn Knights said: “I can’t believe I have been named the national winner! I am so proud and so thankful to everyone who nominated and voted for me. It means the world to be recognised for doing something I am so passionate about. The Foundation does such vital work, I’m so happy I was able to play a part in helping so many people.”
Simon McCall, Chairman of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, said: “This is such a fantastic achievement, we are very proud of Mervyn. He is so dedicated and always go the extra mile. The MD Cook Off was such a wonderful idea and he organised the whole thing brilliantly.”