A local care home owner has been shortlisted as ‘Employer of the Year’ at this year’s Caring UK Awards.

Darren Umanee has been shortlisted for the final five from over one hundred nominated for the ‘Care Employer of the Year’ with the winner to be announced at a ceremony held at York Racecourse, on December 8.

Darren has owned Caldey Grange Care Home, situated in Pentlepoir since February 2016, while his parents have owned Brooklands Nursing Home near Saundersfoot, since 1985, both being nurses and emigrating from Mauritius in 1970.

He worked as a carer at Brooklands initially and then qualified as a nurse in 1993. He is dual qualified being both an R.M.N. and an R.G.N. and became the manager of Brooklands in 2012.

Darren, being exceptionally well qualified to do so, purchased Caldey Grange at the beginning of 2016, and completely transformed the home into a service which can boost truly excellent care. Caldey Grange is now a home that is filled with fun and laughter and the staff are exceptional individuals who are truly a pleasure to work with.

As well as being the owner of Caldey Grange, Darren is the ‘responsible individual’ of the home, and also a director at his brother’s community care company Care in Hands.

As a family, they have worked tirelessly to make an accredited Nursing Home with the highest standards of care.

Darren manages around 80 staff at Brooklands (being a 40 bed nursing home), and there are around 20 staff at Caldey, so in total, Darren employs in excess of a hundred staff and provides 60 Individuals with a home of the highest calibre.

There are several nursing and residential homes in the area, however, the Umanees, as a family, have built up such an exceptional reputation for providing excellent care, and both Brooklands and Caldey are full.

The business has been successful due to Darren’s understanding of the importance of truly caring about the home he provides to those residing at Caldey and Brooklands, through generous, constant and continuous investment, and a high standard of maintenance.

Also, pivotal to providing excellent care, is the value he places on finding and keeping the best staff. His own empathic approach being mirrored in his staff. His commitment to offering staff opportunities at every turn to grow professionally and upskill and his attentive approach to all staff is also a key factor in the success of the homes.

His altruist nature is part of the reason he is so appreciated, and he takes residents out on a regularly basis, but the best and most important achievement is the care that those at Caldey Grange receive.

“We are also very pleased and proud of the fact that Darren has been short listed for this award,” said a spokesperson for the home.

“He is a man that is consistently reticent to accept the praise he so richly deserves and we are very grateful that he has been shortlisted for an award, we believe he absolutely deserves.

“Winning this award would give recognition to a man that has made such a difference to so many people’s lives over very many years. Often at a very difficult time in those individuals lives, not only affecting the individuals, themselves, but also their love ones.

“It would also give Darren and staff an even more enjoyable night at the awards!” they added.