Keeping up appearances at our care homes in Dorchester
Our care homes in Dorchester, Dorset and across the country are busy, thriving communities.
When a new resident moves into one of our care homes we support them to continue with as many of their interests as possible.
For some people that’s bringing their pet to live with them, or supporting their favourite sports team, or continuing to go to their usual place of worship.
And many of the residents who move into one of our care and nursing homes in Dorchester like to keep seeing their local hairdresser.
That’s absolutely something we encourage. We know hard it can be to find a hairdresser who really understands your hair and how you like it styled!
But some residents move into Cheriton, our Dorchester residential care home, from further afield. And others are unable to go out to a salon.
Our residents take pride in their appearance and we help them by arranging for a local hairdresser to come into Cheriton on a regular basis. Having your hair cut, coloured, permed, washed or simply brushed is a fundamental part of feeling human and cared-for.
Cheryl Stretch has been cutting and styling hair in care homes for the past 11 years. After working successfully for nearly five years at our Weymouth care home Trafalgar, we were keen to bring Cheryl into another of our care homes, in Dorchester. Cheryl and her mobile ‘salon’ started working at Cheriton just before lockdown.
During lockdown and the subsequent COVID-19 restrictions, Cheryl couldn’t come into Cheriton. But now some restrictions have been lifted, we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome her back, albeit with PPE and social distancing in place to minimise the risk of infection.
The Cheriton residents love Cheryl. Having their hair done is something they look forward to, alongside a bit of pampering and a chat. Monday is definitely a real feel-good day.
On average Cheryl sees 12 male and female clients a week. Residents can choose how often they get their hair done and a couple of ladies come every week. Just like in a high street salon, appointments last between 15 minutes and two hours. It all depends on what the customers have done.
Cheryl brings all her kit with her, PPE, brushes, hairdryers, hoses, plus a bit of fun and sparkle. Cheryl’s services include perming, cutting, colouring, shampooing and blow-drying ladies’ hair. And being a barber too, Cheryl can offer male residents beard-trimming and styling, as well as hair cuts and clippering.
Cheryl told us:
“Working with the teams at the care homes in Dorchester and Weymouth isn’t just about the hairdressing. Coming into Cheriton is a lovely sociable experience. I feel so welcome. We chat, joke, and before COVID, there was a lot of singing! I’m looking forward to the restrictions on singing and social distancing being lifted.
The Cheriton staff are so good. It’s as though I become part of the team on a Monday. They give everyone the opportunity to get to my ‘salon’; the room we use is wheelchair-accessible, so everyone can come in. No-one who wants their hair done goes without. Residents often have their hair done ready for a visit from their family; we all like to look nice for a special occasion.
I was so pleased to come back in after lockdown, but felt quite tearful that I couldn’t give every single resident a haircut that first day. It was lovely to see ladies walking around like the Queen with their new ‘do’ after not being able to be there for so long! I wouldn’t do anything else now. I feel like I’ve found my niche.”
