Get to know Sara Leigh, our Care Home Manager here at Athorpe Lodge…

We sat down with Sara Leigh, the newly appointed Home Manager at Athorpe Lodge, to learn more about her role, what drives her, and her vision for the home.

Hi, who are you?!

My name is Sara Leigh, and I am proud to be the newly appointed Home Manager at Athorpe Lodge. I am passionate about creating a warm, welcoming environment where residents, families and staff feel valued, supported and part of a community. For me, care is all about people, relationships and making every day meaningful.  

Why did you choose a career in care?

Care is one of the few professions where you have the opportunity to make a genuine difference in someone’s life every single day. I believe a care home should be a place filled with laughter, comfort, friendship and purpose. Being part of creating that environment for our residents is a privilege and something I never take for granted.

What is most important to you as a Home Manager?

Looking after two incredible groups of people—our residents and our staff.
For our residents, it is about ensuring they continue to enjoy life, make their own choices and feel at home. Every resident has their own story, personality and preferences, and I want to make sure they are always treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
For our staff, it is about creating a culture where people feel listened to, supported and appreciated. Care work is rewarding, but it can also be challenging, and I want every member of the team to know they have someone in their corner. When staff feel valued and supported, they can provide the very best care for our residents.

What are your goals for Athorpe Lodge?

My vision is simple: to make Athorpe Lodge a place where residents thrive, families feel reassured and staff are proud to work.
Some of the key things I am striving for include –

Creating a supportive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued and able to speak openly.
Promoting resident choice and independence by tailoring daily life around individual preferences rather than routines.
Using technology and digital systems to help us work smarter and spend more quality time with residents.
Building an outstanding reputation within the local community, so anyone who visits the home immediately feels the warmth, kindness and professionalism of the team.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Without question, it is the privilege of making a difference. Whether it is seeing a resident smile during a favourite activity, supporting a colleague through a challenging day, or reassuring a family that their loved one is receiving excellent care, those moments are incredibly rewarding. Knowing that something you have done has made someone’s day brighter is what makes this role so special.

What values guide you and the team at Athorpe Lodge?

Everything we do is built around a few core values:
Dignity First – Every resident is an individual with their own history, wishes and voice, and they deserve to be treated with respect at all times.
Kindness and Compassion – Care is about more than meeting needs; it is about showing warmth, patience and understanding every day.
Trust and Honesty – We believe in being open, transparent and supportive of one another, creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up.
Pride and Professionalism – We take pride in delivering high-quality care and maintaining standards that our residents and families can rely on.

What would you like families to know about Athorpe Lodge?

I want families to know that their loved ones are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a home where residents feel safe, respected, engaged and happy. My door is always open, and I believe the best care comes from working closely together with residents, families and our dedicated team.

Finally, what do you enjoy doing when you’re away from work?

My time outside work is spent with the people I love and care about. Those relationships are incredibly important to me and help keep me grounded. Family, friendship and caring for others are values that are just as important in my personal life as they are in my professional one.

Yorkshire and Humber Care Record

We participate in the Yorkshire & Humber Care Record. The Yorkshire & Humber Care Record is a shared system that allows staff within the Yorkshire and the Humber health and social care community to appropriately access the most up-to date and correct information about patients, to deliver the best possible care. Organisations participating in the Yorkshire & Humber Care Record include:

• GP practices
• Acute hospitals
• Community Healthcare
• Mental Health Trusts
• Hospices
• Adults & children’s social care services

This processing is necessary to perform a public task (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(e)) and necessary for the provision of health or social care treatment (UK GDPR Article 9(2)(h)).

The Yorkshire & Humber Care Record Guarantee is our commitment that we will use records about you in ways that respect your rights and promote your health and wellbeing.

If you would like any further information, or would like to discuss this further, please contact the YHCR team using these details:

Via post:
Interweave Team
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
Trust HQ, Block A, Ground Floor,
Beverley Road,
Willerby Hill,
Hull, East Riding Of Yorkshire,
HU10 6FE

Via email: