Cherry Tree Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for up to 23 older people, mainly people living with dementia, has been rated overall outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.
It was rated outstanding in theresponsive and well-led aspects of the report, and the safe, effective and caring elements received a score of good, after the inspection, 8 January 2019.
At the last inspection oo 26 July 2016, the service was rated as good. At this inspection, the overall rating has improved to outstanding; this was due to the excellent way in which the service was led and the commitment from staff to deliver high quality, responsive and compassionate care.
The ethos of Cherry Tree Lodge included 'You are never too old.' Throughout the inspection, the CQC observed this to be true as the home was full of activity, involvement and fun.
Visitors described the 'family atmosphere' of the home and told inspectors that it gave residents an excellent quality of life to be enjoyed at their own pace.
The service had been successful in engaging with people in the local community. Residents were involved in sending letters, postcards and birthday cards to other people; the communications had provided an insight into other people's lives and helped develop new relationships.
A nursery group regularly visited the home and joined in activities with residents living in the home; staff described how new relationships had been developed between some of the children and people living in the facility.
The registered manager described how this had created such a positive impact on people, particularly one person who had been suffering from low mood following a bereavement. The person's mood had improved, and they now looked forward to the children's visits. One resident said, "The children that visit the home every week are great. I really look forward to their visits."
CQC inspectors also highlighted that the visions and values of the service were fully understood by the staff team and were displayed in various ways throughout the home. They included, 'Live, love and be loved' and 'You are never too old.' The registered manager told inspectors how important it was that people felt they had lived each day to their maximum enjoyment, were fulfilled, loved their home and being part of a community and most importantly felt loved themselves.