Nautilus Mariners' Park Care Home manager Grace Holley has been named Regional Registered Care Home Manager of the Year at the Great British Care Awards North West Region.
The awards ceremony, held on Saturday 8 November 2025, saw Mrs Holley triumph over 12 finalists from across the region. Staff from the Nautilus Welfare Fund-run Wallasey care home attended the event, which featured ten shortlisted entries from care homes throughout the area.
Mrs Holley's leadership and dedication to supporting former seafarers and mariner veterans earned high praise from the judges, who described her as 'passionate, creative, and deeply dedicated.'
In their comments, the judges wrote: 'This candidate consistently goes above and beyond to support residents. Through innovative initiatives such as armchair travel, they have brought joy, connection, and renewed purpose to the service. Their unwavering respect for veterans and commitment to person-centred care make them a shining example of compassion in action.'
The Mariners' Park Care Home now advances to the national finals, which will take place in Birmingham in February 2026.
About the Nautilus Welfare Fund
The Nautilus Welfare Fund is Nautilus International's registered charity. It provides support services in the UK for retired seafarers and their dependants and is based at the Mariners' Park Estate in Wallasey, near Liverpool.
The Fund is not just for Union members: all UK retired seafarers who can demonstrate a significant maritime career are eligible to apply for accommodation and grants.
The Fund provides:
- retirement accommodation at Mariners' Park for people living independently or requiring residential or nursing care
- care at home
- one-off grants
- caseworkers – a free and confidential service that helps seafarers claim welfare benefits and access grants
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