CARE homes across the area are celebrating after Care South’s fifth annual Star Awards.

The care home business holds the awards to recognise outstanding achievement, commitment and dedication.

Elizabeth House in Parkstone had a particularly successful afternoon, taking home the Home of the Year title and the award for Pride in our Home.

The home was recognised for the welcoming environment it provides and the care taken by staff to ensure residents and their families are as comfortable as possible

Queensmead care home in Christchurch took home the award for Best Dining Experience and deputy manager Emma Cotton won the Manager of the Year award for her dedication and compassion.

The award for Best Care Support Team was won by the domestic team at Dorset House in Hamworthy, for their high standards of cleanliness and their ability to support residents.

Care South staff based in Bournemouth celebrated a triple success with three staff members recognised at the ceremony. Yolanda Bangura was awarded Home Carer of the Year and Jayne Renyard was awarded the accolade for Best Care Newcomer, after joining last June.

Home care assistant Jane Hunt received the Home Care Ambassador title, awarded by the senior management team. Director of domiciliary care Carolyn Collins said: “Jane has been a valuable member of the team since 2001. She lives our company values on a daily basis and we’re delighted she has been recognised for her hard work.”

Susan Willoughby, chief executive of Care South, said: “Our Stars Awards ceremony offers a great way for us to acknowledge the achievements of our staff and say thank you for their dedication to providing exceptional care for residents and service users across our homes and home care services.”

Care South was established in 1991 as the Dorset Trust and has its head office in Poole. It is a not-for-profit care provider with homes throughout Dorset, Devon, Somerset and West Sussex, and also runs a home care service in Dorset, Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset.