When Leah Murphy joined Brookside extra care village in Ormskirk as a cleaner, the thought that one day she might manage the scheme never entered her head...

Yet just six years later, thanks to her enterprise, support from colleagues and encouragement from owners Your Housing Group, the amazing 40-year-old from Skem. is successfully running the 111-apartment scheme.

Now Leah has won the company’s Rising Star staff award in recognition of her efforts, capping off an incredible six years working for one of the North’s biggest housing providers.

Leah quickly progressed from cleaner to administrator after showing a keen interest by shadowing other staff, before she was promoted again to Retirement Living Services Officer - and when the manager’s role became available, she was encouraged to apply.

The mother-of-two said: “I really didn’t think I was ready for it but I was encouraged to apply. All the staff, including my line manager Andy Hodson, have been so supportive and if it wasn’t for them I don’t think I’d be where am I now.

“When I started work here I’d just come out of a beauty therapy college course. I knew I needed something. Brookside was opening and I saw the advert for a cleaner so I just went for it.”

And there was a special thanks to the owner and staff of Brooke's Bistro: "Joe and his team have also had a huge part in supporting me at Brookside," she added.

Opened in May 2012, the Brookside Extra Care scheme provides retirement living as well as specialist health, care and support services for older people with dementia. It’s one of many similar schemes run by Your Housing Group, which owns and manages more than 28,000 homes across the North of England.

Andy Hodson, Area Manager and Leah’s manager, paid tribute to Leah.

“She’s full of enthusiasm and knows the scheme inside out,” he told QLocal this afternoon.

“She was a great support to me when there was a little apprehension due to line manager changes, but I feel we have an excellent working relationship and we continue to work closely to deliver the best service we can for the residents at Brookside.”

Leah added: “I love Brookside, the residents and the people I work with, and Your Housing Group are very loyal – they’ve all supported me so much along the way.

“My advice to anyone looking to progress their career: just work hard and give it a go. You need supportive people with you too, I know I couldn’t have done it without them.”

She's pictured with Caroline Foster - RLS Administrator, David Wrotniak - Night Supervisor, Hayley McMahon - RLS Administrator/Night Supervisor and Karen Cottam - RLS Housekeeper/Cleaner.

What a positive story. Well done Leah.

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