A CHESTER carer has been named one of the best in the UK.

Ruby Jones at Oak Grange Care Home in Mollington, Chester, has been crowned Carer of The Year for North Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2021.

She is now through to the national round of judging.

The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 12,000 residents living in Barchester’s 248 care homes and private hospitals across the country.

Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Co-ordinator of the Year’.

More than 2,900 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK. All entries were a very high standard and Ruby Jones is over the moon to have been named the winner for the beating hundreds of other nominees.

She said: “I can’t believe it and thank you so much. I am so proud to represent Oak Grange."

As the winner for North Division, Ruby is through to the national finals in which the overall winner is decided. She will join winners from across the UK at a special awards event in October to celebrate their outstanding achievements and discover if they have won a national award.

General manager Karen Fitzgerald said: “This is an amazing achievement and the whole home is supporting Ruby.

"We are so proud of Ruby, she has shown care and dedication in all her work. During the pandemic, when we were not able to have hairdressers into the home, she made sure that they all maintained their appearances. She has been a hairdresser for 35 years, owning her own shop, before deciding to become a carer.”