Not-for-profit dementia specialist Belong has appointed Kathryn Dee as general manager of its Birkdale care village, ahead of its opening this year.
Dee brings more than two decades of experience to the position, with previous stints in care sector roles, including senior leadership, clinical quality assurance, and innovation, as well as the management of nursing and residential facilities for older people.
The experienced care leader and nurse joins the organisation as it prepares for the launch of its ninth village, its first in Merseyside.
‘I am delighted to be joining Belong as we prepare to open our Birkdale village. The organisation has an outstanding reputation for innovation and person-centred care that enables older people to live active and fulfilling lives,’ Dee said. ‘I’m looking forward to building a dedicated team and a welcoming community where our customers can thrive, maintain their independence and feel truly at home.’
Belong Birkdale customers will have the choice of living in one of its 24-hour residential care ‘households’ – small, homely settings for up to a dozen residents sharing communal living, kitchen-dining and outdoor spaces, with private en suite bedrooms – or one of 30 independent living apartments.
Open to the public, the site’s bistro, salon, gym, gardens, and entertainment venue with licensed bar, will provide amenities to the neighbourhood.
Belong’s homecare service, Belong at Home Southport, has been operating in the town since late last year, with its community care team supporting older people to live in their own homes. Its availability will widen to include village apartment tenants on opening.
Rebecca Woodcock, Belong chief operating officer, added: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Kathryn to the Belong family. Her professional experience and credentials, coupled with enthusiasm and passion for our innovative approach to care, will make for a fantastic leader of our new Birkdale village and a pillar of the community.’
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