The team at Cheriton Care Home is celebrating half a year with their manager - who has been dedicated to lifting the spirits of all after a difficult year.

Denise Chrippes has been at the helm of the Dorchester care home since November, and has been with care provider Agincare for nearly 20 years.

Denise has been a big helping hand for Agincare during the pandemic, taking on a nationwide role, but is planning to bring back normality to Cheriton Care Home as much as possible and have a lot of fun along the way.

It's been an incredibly difficult year for care providers but staff have worked extremely hard to keep residents safe and happy. Which is why TV star Joanna Lumley praised them all Agincare founder and chairman, Derek Luckhurst, and chief executive Raina Summerson sent them a certificate, letter and Agincare Covid Hero Medal.

If a member of the team at Cheriton Care Home has gone above and beyond, you can nominate them for an Agincare Hero Medal.

Residents are already back to enjoying trips out and about across the town, such as visiting the weekly market, Brewery Square and the Borough Gardens, and many activities, events celebrations, entertainment and more.

Denise and the team at Cheriton Care Home - including deputy Zoe Price, office manager Colleen Cordell and care team leaders Sam Impey and Emily Macfarlene - will also be focusing on building back ties with the local community, schools, churches and choirs.

Denise, who celebrates 20 years with Agincare next year, said: "The team here at Cheriton are all passionate about giving our residents the best care possible, it's their home after all.

"We've been keeping up the social interaction and visits as much as possible during the pandemic, but we're planning much more for coming months and getting the residents involved in making it all happen."

Denise started her career in Dorset at the Trafalgar Care Home in Dorset, where she was made manager in 2003, but managing roles across Agincare have taken her away from Dorset.

She provided managerial and leadership at Agincare's care homes across the country during the coronavirus pandemic and has also managed the care provider's live-in care services nationwide.

Denise also spent 10 years managing Blenheim Care Home in Bournemouth, which, like Cheriton Care Home, received a 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission.

For more information, visit Agincare.com

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