Celebrating a remarkable career in care
This Learning Disability Week, we’re celebrating the career of Lesley – a true champion of support for people with learning disabilities, whose dedication has helped transform lives over nearly four decades.
A remarkable career in care
After nearly 40 years supporting people with learning disabilities, service manager Lesley is retiring – leaving a lasting legacy of compassion, leadership and person-centred care.
Lesley has led our Ashland Road West service since 2012, supporting people with complex needs to live safe, independent and fulfilling lives in the community.
A lifelong commitment to making a difference
Lesley began her career in the 1980s but soon felt drawn to a role where she could make a real difference. She retrained as a learning disability nurse, starting her training in 1987.
Since then, she has supported people across a range of settings, from specialist hospital environments to community-based services. As care has evolved over the decades – moving away from long-stay hospitals towards more independent living – Lesley has been at the forefront of that change.
“I wanted to do something meaningful,” she says. “Supporting people to live the lives they choose has always been at the heart of what I do.”
Supporting independence through person-centred care
At NCHA, we are committed to providing high-quality, person-centred support for people with learning disabilities – helping individuals build independence, confidence and choice in their everyday lives.
Lesley has been a passionate advocate for this approach throughout her career. From ensuring the right equipment and environments are in place, to supporting skilled and compassionate staff teams, her focus has always been on enabling people to thrive.
“Watching people grow in confidence and independence is the most rewarding part of the job,” she says. “It’s about making sure people feel comfortable, valued and able to live their lives on their own terms.”
A lasting legacy
Over the years, Lesley has helped shape services that reflect NCHA’s values – putting people first, promoting dignity and creating opportunities for individuals to live well in their communities.
As she retires, she leaves behind a strong, dedicated team who will continue delivering high-quality support at Ashland Road West and beyond.
Her impact will be felt for years to come, not only in the service she helped build, but in the lives of the many people she has supported. Thank you Leslie.
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