New faces at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage
Our care home in Swanage has started an exciting new chapter, with the arrival of a new manager and deputy manager.
Registered manager Louise van Dorn most recently led a Bridport care home judged to be ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). She has now arrived to lead and develop the team at Agincare’s care home in Swanage, Dorset.
“With more than 25 years’ experience in care I know how important it is to have stability and consistent good practice in a care home – for residents, their families, local agencies such as GPs, and for staff.
“I’ve been so impressed by the positive attitude of the team here, caring for our fantastic residents, especially during the coronavirus outbreak. It’s my job to support and nurture them, involving them in decision-making as we formulate a robust and challenging improvement plan.
Our eventual aim is to achieve an outstanding rating from the CQC and to be the care home of choice in Swanage.”
The team spirit at Gainsborough is strong. There’s a really interesting mix of characters among the care workers and support staff, bringing lots of great experience and certainly plenty of laughter!
Keeping spirits up during lockdown
Like care homes across the UK, lockdown has had a massive impact on Gainsborough. But the team has risen to the challenge. They have worked hard to keep residents’ spirits up during the coronavirus outbreak, while adhering to strict hygiene and PPE protocols.
The team has found new ways for residents to keep in touch with families, friends and the outside world. Residents who never used a mobile phone before are now making video calls, and Agincare’s lockdown pen pal scheme has resulted in colourful messages arriving at the Swanage care home.
The team was also determined to ‘keep calm and carry on caring’ with their plans for a colourful VE Day celebration. They brought out the bunting and best china for a socially-distanced cream tea, complete with rations books and plenty of red, white and blue balloons.
The difference a care home garden can make
The home benefits from being right on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, with plenty of fresh sea air in its beautiful garden. And during lockdown the lovely garden has really come into its own. Residents have donned their gardening gloves to plant up containers with wallflowers, pansies (and the odd gnome!).
Gainsborough’s summer house is a great spot for a break from gardening, with plenty of space for residents to have a cuppa and a biscuit. The patio has also been a tonic during lockdown, as it’s the perfect place to soak up the Dorset sunshine while sampling a ‘quarantini’ drink.
A Swanage care home at the heart of the community
As well as having a new registered manager, Gainsborough Care Home has a new deputy manager, with Alma Varona taking on the role.
“I’m so pleased to have joined the team, and our lovely residents and supportive families. There aren’t many dementia care homes in Swanage, so there’s such potential here. Once we can emerge from the COVID-19 restrictions we want to be a real part of Swanage and the wider area, getting out into the community and inviting local people into Gainsborough.
“We know people have a choice of care homes in Swanage and we want to showcase our fantastic residents, the team and our facilities. Until we can welcome people into Gainsborough in person, we’re sharing our news, photos and stories on our Facebook page.”
For more information on Gainsborough Care Home, please call 0808 256 6038.
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