This year, after 2 years of Covid, Cornwall Adult Health and Social Care were able to hold their annual awards.

Ann Gray and her team at Coombe House, Liskeard, were nominated as finalists for a team that had gone above and beyond during the pandemic to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

The brief was that the team should be passionate and inspirational with a person-centred approach to care. The judges looked for examples of how people living with dementia had been supported to live well and remain independent for longer.

The team at Coombe House were crowned Dementia Champions for 2022 at a very glamorous red-carpet event at Tregenna Castle, St Ives.

A spokesperson said: “It was an emotional night. The last two years have been hard. Many excellent members of the team had left, many equally wonderful new people have joined this dedicated team who continue the commitment to outstanding care.”

“Coombe House are no strangers to awards. Last year’s awards were held virtually and recognised Keith Haley as an “unsung hero”, for his dedication and his willingness to turn his hand to any task with good humour and in 2019 (there were no awards in 2020) Ann herself was recognised for her Lifetime Achievement in Care, 35 years of caring for people living with dementia.”

Ann Gray said: “I am so proud to bring this award home, proud of my team and what they do every day to provide the best possible quality of life for the people who live with us at Coombe House.”