Encore Care Homes to be recognised at virtual care awards

Encore Care Homes is up for a top award at this week’s national Care Home Awards 2020.

The Bournemouth-based operator is a finalist in the category for Best Nutrition, Food or Dining Experience.

The award nomination focused on the work of Head Chef, David Black, and his catering team at the Oakdale care home in Poole.

The judges were especially impressed by David’s considered approach to each resident’s past medical history and how current medication affects their interaction with food.

The Head Chef recognises that food and nutrition is a very important element of the care that a resident receives at Oakdale.

David said: “Preparing freshly cooked, nutritional meals is a top priority for me and this is something that I have been delivering from the outset.

“I strive to inject passion and personality into our meals, that will not only provide our residents with their nutritional needs, but also makes the dining experience enjoyable and continually varied.”

Lindsay Rees, Head of Care and Quality Assurance, Encore Care Homes, said: “I am extremely delighted that David Black and his team have received this recognition for their hard work at Oakdale care home.

“This passion and commitment to the food and nutrition of residents is what sets us apart in the care industry.

“It’s always very satisfying to see the personal touch that our staff extend to all our residents throughout Encore.”

The Care Home Awards were postponed in May due to the pandemic.

They return this Friday in a live-streamed format.

The awards, which have added poignancy this year with the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices made by the UK care sector, will be hosted by the National Lottery’s ‘Voice of the Balls’ Alan Dedicoat.

Oakdale is a purpose-built care home supporting 84 residents, offering residential, nursing and dementia care.

Encore Care Homes also includes Fairmile Grange in Christchurch and Great Oaks in Bournemouth.

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Plans to launch Sherborne Business Awards

Marketing West, the Dorset events, promotions and marketing company, has announced the launch of the Sherborne Business Awards.

The awards are the brainchild of Marketing West director Nigel Reeve, pictured left, who runs a series of Sherborne area networking breakfasts and online events.

The businessman, who has enjoyed a high-flying career in marketing and the media, has had many years of experience of organising business conferences and awards.

He said: “I first had the idea about a year ago, but it had to be put on hold. However, it didn’t go away.

“Sherborne is fiercely proud of its range of independent businesses and rightly so.

“Two business contacts in the area suggested I look again.

“The idea is to use the awards to promote the range of local businesses.

“The award ceremony will be a celebration of local business, not an excuse for a party.

“We have consulted with a number of businesses to ensure the categories cover the full range of local services.

“The awards will be free to enter and simple to enter.

“The entry form will be available online and will take no more than ten minutes to complete.

“We are planning a launch event in October and the awards lunchtime ceremony at the end of February.

“Both events will be held at Leweston School on the edge of Sherborne, while the awards event will also have live streaming.

“Entry forms will be available from early November.

“I believe we now need to be positive to get business moving again and hope that these awards will contribute in a small way.”

Marketing West is also planning a breakfast seminar (plus live streaming) on Thursday, November 5. Called ‘Relight the Flame – get business moving again’, it will be held at Minterne House between Dorchester and Sherborne. The speakers will be business journalist Declan Curry (pictured left), entrepreneur Sir Rob McCabe, and Brendan Rendall, talking about the art of positive thinking. All three will be at the venue face to face.

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Specialist solicitor joins Steele Raymond’s family team

Family lawyer Adam Cooper has joined the family team at Bournemouth-based law firm Steele Raymond.

He was previously at a boutique family law firm in Salisbury and has also worked for both national and regional law firms.

Adam, pictured right, has wide-ranging experience in all family related issues with particular expertise in handling complex children matters, child arrangement orders, financial settlements and divorce proceedings.

Daniel Sanders, Partner and Head of Steele Raymond’s family team, said: “As part of a team of strong and experienced lawyers, Adam will further enhance the quality of support and level of service which we provide to our clients.”