Belong Chester Dementia Specialist Lands Top Awards Nominations

Belong Chester Dementia Specialist Lands Top Awards Nominations

Belong, has landed coveted finalist shortlistings at the Dementia Care Awards 2025 for its work supporting young and old, as well as their families throughout the Chester community.

The Nursery in Belong Chester is nominated for the Intergenerational Activity Award for its ‘Artist in Focus’ arts project, part of a creative health programme, Living Lives Together, developed alongside Belong Chester and led by nursery operators, the charity Ready Generations.

It brings together care village residents, children, families and the wider community, with creative health workshops taking place over six weeks, each dedicated to a particular artist, culminating in exhibitions showcasing their work. Going beyond simply exploring subject and style, sessions delve into the wider cultural and historical context of an artist’s work through a diverse range of mediums, such as sculpture, textiles, digital art, music, spoken word and even food.

Also focusing on the arts, the Sankofa Songsters intergenerational choir founded by residents and volunteers at the City Road village is nominated for The Inspiring Volunteer Award. Now expanded to fourteen care settings across Cheshire West and Chester, as well as local nurseries and schools, the nomination recognises the small founding group of volunteers who continue to give their time to facilitate the weekly singing group. Meanwhile, Belong Admiral Nurses, Bridget Lawler and Caroline Clifton are up for the Admiral Nurse Award which recognises innovation, and ‘real-world difference’ made by those working in the role in partnership with Dementia UK.

The duo provides expertise on how to live well with dementia and have been nominated for the accolade owing to the success of B’s Memory Cafe, a widening of their service to people living in the local area. The monthly drop-in invites guests for a coffee and a chat, often alongside an activity or entertainment, giving a welcome chance of respite to those attending.

Finally, leading the organisation in dementia and care quality, Caroline Baker, is hoping to scoop the Dementia Trainer and Workforce Development Award for continuously driving standards and Belong’s innovative approach to care.

In the lead-up to the upcoming summer ceremony, the village has been championing Dementia Action Week as the spotlight is shone on the national campaign to promote awareness of the importance of early diagnosis. Belong Chester’s doors continue to be open for meet and greets with management, personal tours of its state-of-the-art village, and a chance to enjoy onsite facilities including, bistro, salon, and specialist gym.

Caroline Ray, general manager at Belong Chester, said: “We’re really pleased to receive Dementia Care Awards nominations. It's always encouraging to hear how our work helps so many people and to be recognised at national level is a fantastic achievement.”