Blesson Thomas, manager of The Heights nursing home in High Wycombe, has been nominated as a finalist in the Dementia Care Manager category of this year’s National Dementia Care Awards.

Rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, The Heights provides high quality person-centred care in an environment where ‘going the extra mile’ is deeply embedded in the culture.

Blesson will attend a high profile Gala Awards night on Thursday 9th November at Doncaster Racecourse, where category winners will be announced in front of an audience of 400 people from the care industry.

The National Dementia Care Awards is an annual event organised by the Journal of Dementia Care, created to recognise the very best people in the dementia care sector, whose exceptional work and contributions make specialist care a reality.

Having been a manager at The Heights since 2014, Blesson strongly believes in the importance of relationship-centred care and both the team and residents feel part of an extended family. An advocate of partnership working, Blesson works closely with local and national stakeholders such as the My Home Life project to advance learning and share best practice.

He also maintains that thoughtful gestures based on truly understanding the needs of people living with dementia are key to wellbeing. The team at the Heights recently arranged a surprise candlelit dinner for a resident and his wife which emphasised the importance of creating a welcoming, homely environment.

Commenting on the nomination, Blesson said:

“I’m thrilled to have been selected as a finalist and to have received national recognition for the care we provide for people living with dementia. We are always keen to find new, innovative ways to support residents through developing community connections, use of technology and by listening to and really understanding the needs of each individual.”