Cara Macklin Scoops Top Business Innovation Award

Posted on November 14, 2018

Recognised for her entrepreneurial flair and innovation in business, Cara’s vision to create a completely new-concept care home in Northern Ireland – Milesian Manor - and to completely transform an industry has paid off.

The Women in Business Awards celebrate, reward and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of some of the most successful, entrepreneurial and inspiring business women throughout Northern Ireland. Now in their 8th year, the awards allow all sectors and industries to come together for an evening of celebration to recognise the best of home grown talent and the valuable contribution that women make to the economic life of Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the awards, Cara Macklin, director, Milesian Manor said: “I am completely over the moon, humbled and so delighted to be receiving this award amongst such inspirational businesswomen.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team at Milesian Manor and the wider Macklin Care Home Group without whom, this award would not be possible.

“The ethos within Milesian Manor was built on a three-fold approach; care with heart, life of fulfilment, heart of the community – our staff are embedded within this and work tirelessly giving first-class care to our residents.”

Owned and operated by the multi–award winning, Macklin Group, who have been successfully operating care homes in Northern Ireland for the last 32 years, Milesian Manor Lifestyle Care Home opened in Magherafelt in May 2018 and recently reached 100 per cent occupancy. It’s point of difference is that it boasts a bar, beauty and hair salon, spa bathroom, café and even a cinema, and a wellness garden with the aim of giving people in their formative years and exceptional quality of life combined with first-class care.

Creating a beautiful home that focused on more than just "cure and care", residents live an active and engaging life, through a fulfilled lifestyle programme, by an expert team of nurses and support staff. The aim is to reflect the activities the residents may have enjoyed throughout their lives, from dancing and singing to yoga and mindfulness, residents are encouraged to lead independent lives full of enjoyment.

This innovative concept was created not only in the building design but also the ethos. Cara brought together a team of healthcare professionals and consultants from world class organisations within hospitality, design, exceptional experience, and motor industry, who brought fresh ideas and thinking.

She undertook international best-practice benchmarking, liaising with experts worldwide; from the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Australia and USA, and attended the world-class Centre of Excellence Stirling University International Dementia Design Conference. These were the catalyst to creating this innovative concept.

The expert care on offer ranges from residential, respite, nursing and dementia care along with the Milesian Day Club which offers an escape a relaxing support for residents and their families who need more interaction but are still able to live at home. There are over 50 dedicated staff ranging from specialised nurses to fully-trained carers, activity staff, and a dedicated lifestyle team along with in-house cooks creating wonderful fresh home-cooked food on a daily basis and housekeeping staff to ensure that standards are kept consistently high.

Cara concluded: “The provision of first-class care is the cornerstone of our ethos and our focus is on not only meeting all nursing, health care and industry requirements but providing a modern, yet homely environment filled with a full schedule of activities which will help people who can’t or no longer wish to live alone fully enjoy their later years.

Cara concluded: “In Northern Ireland, there is increased demand for exceptional nursing homes and this will only increase as our population ages, at Milesian Manor we hope to be ahead of the game and offer tomorrow’s nursing home today.”

For enquiries about residing at Milesian Manor visit www.milesianmanor.comor call 028 7963 1842.

Picture caption: Outstanding Innovation winner Cara Macklin, Macklin Carehomes and Malone Lodge Hotel with award sponsor Adrian Maynihan, Head of First Trust Bank and Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive, Women in Business