Francine Arrowsmith

Francine Arrowsmith joined Gloucester House Nursing Home in 2004 as part of the housekeeping team. The dedication she has shown to the welfare of residents has made her a valued member of the care team, playing an instrumental role in the development of the home's new specialist dementia centre.

When she joined the care team in 2006, Francine had no previous experience in this type of work but has displayed a skill for care work and an outstanding ability to engage with residents, particularly those suffering from dementia.

Initially hesitant about formal study, she took on the challenge of the NVQ2 Award and excelled on the course. She has taken specialist training in dementia care and become a leading practitioner in this type of care within the home, acting as mentor for other staff who have found this more difficult. Francine is also an advocate for the needs and opinions of residents suffering from dementia.

Francine's empathetic relationship with the residents, taking the time to talk and listen, offering hand massages, beauty treatments and engaging them in social activities, has contributed to preserving their dignity and sense of being treated as individuals.

Francine is also a great support to the families of residents, keeping them updated on any achievements or worries relating to the resident and providing individual end-of-life care. Her calm, patient demeanour has a positive effect on the atmosphere of the nursing home as a whole, contributing to the ethos of a homely, loving environment providing person-centred care to residents with dementia.