South Shields care home manager up for national award

A South Shields care home is celebrating its Home Manager being shortlisted for a coveted national award. 

Louise Damms, Home Manager at Care UK’s Cheviot Court, on Horsley Hill Square, has been named a finalist in the Care Leadership of the Year category at the National Care Awards 2023.

The National Care Awards celebrate talent and excellence within the care home sector, rewarding those who go above and beyond to provide outstanding care. 

Louise been recognised for her innovative approach to leadership and commitment to going above and beyond to provide high quality residential, respite and dementia care. 

Encouraging residents to lead fulfilling lives, Louise works closely with the home’s lifestyle team to help grant resident wishes. One wish saw a longstanding football fan receive a signed Sunderland Association Football Club shirt, with another resident being surprised with a visit from some ponies. 

The team also encourages residents to be independent, giving them opportunities to get involved with daily tasks at the home, should they wish to – from helping to serve tea and coffee to getting stuck in and helping around the home’s garden.

Louise is a crucial part of the management team at Cheviot Court, and her positive, hands-on attitude extends to colleagues too. Praised throughout the home, her dedicated approach to leadership ensures team members are equipped with the tools for career progression; with one team member who started as a Care Coordinator gaining the confidence to step up as the Lifestyle Lead under Louise’s guidance and leadership.

Commenting on Louise’s approach to leadership, a District Nurse said: “Louise is a very present leader, she understands her teams, knowing how to develop skills and how to develop success within her team by setting regular goals and regularly celebrating achievements. As a leader she is always willing to take feedback and is open to changing ways of working to make things better for the residents. Her team leads are an asset to her knowledge and skills too, with the same dedication to the service seen through their practice and decision making.

Louise said: “I’m thrilled to be a finalist in the Care Leadership of the Year category at this year’s National Care Awards. I would like to say a big thank you to each and every member of the team for their ongoing commitment to making Cheviot Court a fantastic home.”

Samantha Rogan, Regional Director at Care UK, said: “We’re delighted that Louise has been announced as a finalist at this year’s National Care Awards.

“Louise works incredibly hard to support residents to lead fulfilling lives through compassionate, person-centered care and an innovative approach to leadership, and this shortlisting is a wonderful recognition of her dedication. She is constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of residents, inspiring those around her to do the same and she’s pivotal to the home’s ongoing success – we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a win!”

The finals, where the winner for the NCA awards will be announced, are taking place on 24^th November.

Cheviot Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home, which features 73 en-suite bedrooms, has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own music room, hairdressing salon and café.