Milewood Individual Care and Support has promoted Laura Stokes to registered manager of Beechwood House in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.

Stokes joined Milewood as a support worker at Glenthorne Court in Stockton-on-Tees, advancing to senior support roles and later becoming deputy manager, a position in which she helped launch two new services.

Stokes said: “From day one, I was passionate about shaping the future of the services I was involved in. Milewood’s values of care and community really resonated with me and I was determined to contribute to making a positive impact.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at Milewood and for the incredible teams I’ve worked with. I’m excited to lead Beechwood House and to continue making a difference to the lives of the people we support.”

Stokes is grateful for the mentorship she received from her manager Ged Devine, saying: “Ged played a pivotal role in helping me develop my leadership style, focusing on communication, adaptability and teamwork. These skills were crucial as I transitioned from supporting individuals directly to leading teams and launching new services.”

Martyn Heginbotham, chief executive of Milewood Individual Care and Support, said: “Laura’s journey is a testament to the opportunities available at Milewood, and across the social care sector, for those with passion and commitment. Her dedication to improving the lives of the people we support and her ability to lead by example make her an outstanding registered manager. We are excited to see her continue to flourish in her new role.”

Milewood operates more than 45 homes throughout the UK. Many are traditional buildings and they are all located in suburban areas, close to community services.