A SALISBURY care home manager has been recognised as the nation’s leading manager at the National Learning Disability Awards.

Cathie Birrell, who manages the Avondale Residential Care Home in Stratford Road, was given the Best Manager award, in recognition of her work supporting people with learning disabilities in the community.

The team at Avondale provide 24 hour support for adults with complex needs and learning disabilities, and is run by Turning Point, the social enterprise which supports people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and substance misuse problems in England.

The service aims to help residents develop their social and independent living skills, as well as helping them to pursue their own personal interests and ambitions.

The award nomination, produced by the staff of the service, cited Cathie’s “outstanding leadership”, in promoting choice and personal fulfilment for the individuals that she and her team support.

Her efforts to help the people she supports to improve their lives have been “instrumental in ensuring a high standard of care for Avondale’s residents”.

After the award had been announced, Cathie said: “It’s a huge honour to accept this award but it’s important to remember that any manager is only as good as the team they lead – so a huge amount of the credit for the success of Avondale has to go the amazing people I work with every day, and who make such a sterling effort to help our residents lead the most fulfilling lives possible.”