The Burlington Home Manager Wins Eminent Woman of Impact Award

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Margielyn Gonzaga, known affectionately to everyone at The Burlington as Margie, has won the prestigious Eminent Woman of Impact Award at the 2026 Women’s Community Impact Awards Dorset.

The awards, organised by Arts for Survival and held in celebration of International Women’s Day, recognise women making profound differences in communities across Dorset, the UK, and beyond. Margie will receive her award at a gala ceremony on Saturday, 7th March 2026, at the Hilton Bournemouth Hotel.

This recognition celebrates not just Margie’s extraordinary leadership at The Burlington, but her wider commitment to empowering others and creating lasting change across multiple communities.

For Margie, this honour reflects the values she lives by every day. “I’m genuinely humbled to receive this award,” she says. “But honestly, any impact I’ve made comes from working alongside incredible people, our team at The Burlington, the women I serve with at Women’s Voice, and the Aklanon community here in the UK. We don’t just provide care or advocate for others; we create spaces where people feel valued and where their voices matter. That’s what drives me, and knowing that this work has made a difference means the world.”

Margie’s impact reaches far beyond The Burlington’s walls. As an Executive Board Member of Women’s Voice and President of the Aklanon Community in the UK and Ireland, she’s been a tireless advocate for the vulnerable and a champion for community empowerment. She’s also led international charitable initiatives, bringing her passion for service to a global stage.

With more than three decades of nursing expertise, Margie has redefined excellence in healthcare. Originally from the Philippines and a member of the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council since 2003, she’s transformed care standards and mentored the next generation of nursing leaders with compassion and integrity.

Under Margie’s leadership, The Burlington, which earned the Care Quality Commission’s highest possible rating, ‘Outstanding’, for being responsive to people’s needs, and achieved ‘Good’ ratings across all other categories, has gone from strength to strength. The home has also won the Physical Activity Award at the National Activity Awards in 2025 and was crowned Champion of People and Progress at the Surrey Care Awards 2025.

Most recently, Boutique Care Homes was named one of carehome.co.uk’s Top 20 Small Care Home Groups for the second consecutive year, recognition built on the person-centred, compassionate care Margie and her team deliver daily.

What truly sets Margie apart is her dedication to meaningful connections. She’s pioneered intergenerational programmes with local schools, including partnerships with Saxon Primary School that bring children and residents together for activities like National Puzzle Day. These initiatives create moments of genuine joy that benefit both generations, fostering relationships that enrich the whole community.

Ameet Kotecha, Founder and Managing Director of Boutique Care Homes, says: “We couldn’t be prouder of Margie. This award recognises what we see every single day, a leader who doesn’t just manage, but truly cares. Her passion for people, her commitment to excellence, and her genuine love for our residents, their families, and our team shine through in everything she does. She’s created something special at The Burlington: a place where residents feel at home, families feel reassured, and staff feel inspired to be their best. Margie embodies everything we stand for at Boutique Care Homes, and this recognition is so richly deserved.”

Margie’s approach perfectly reflects Boutique Care Homes’ philosophy. She takes time to learn each resident’s life story, ensures care plans are tailored to individual needs, and creates an atmosphere where everyone feels heard and valued. Her open-door policy extends to residents, families, and staff alike, building trust and transparency at every level.

The awards organisers described Margie as someone whose “journey, marked by resilience, integrity, and a commitment to uplifting others, is an inspiration to us all.” We couldn’t agree more.

The gala ceremony on 7th March will celebrate Margie alongside other inspiring women making a difference across Dorset and beyond. It’s a moment to recognise not just professional achievement, but the profound human impact of a life dedicated to service, leadership, and compassion.

Congratulations, Margie. This recognition is truly well deserved, and we’re honoured to have you leading The Burlington family.