THE former manager of an Ellesmere Port residential home has been shortlisted for a lifetime achievement award.

Gaynor Chisnall was registered manager at Rivacre House, which provides care for 12 people with mental health needs, for a 12-month period from 1991.

Rising through the ranks at adult health and social care charity Making Space, which operates the home, Gaynor became director of operations in 2005, a position she still holds.

Gaynor, from St Helens, has been with Making Space for 31 years, making her one of the longest serving team members.

She was nominated by colleagues at the charity, which has its headquarters in Warrington and is now in the running for a National Care Award for lifetime achievement in care.

Gaynor will find out in November if she has won.

According to the awards organisers, the award will be presented to 'an exceptional person who has committed a significant portion of their life to working in a care home, or in social care, in the community or in sheltered housing, and has made a substantial difference to the quality of life of the people they have worked with.'

Rachel Peacock, chief executive, Making Space, said: "A pioneer from day one, Gaynor has based her whole career on building and maintaining relationships with the people she supports, patients and carers, colleagues, partners, health authorities and councils – everyone she comes into contact with.

"Gaynor leads with kindness, encouragement, gratitude and by example. She isn’t tucked away, hidden in her office. Gaynor is visible, accessible and, more often than not, found at our services with our frontline teams and people we support. Gaynor has a sincerity about her that our teams find reassuring and valuable."

Kim Smith, regional head of operations at Making Space, who is line-managed by Gaynor, said: "Gaynor has always seen the best in me when I doubt myself.

"She knows me so well after all these years working together and picks up when I’m having days when I just need to talk through situations and days when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

"Her kind words, manner and support always leave you feeling you can achieve anything you want and nothing is ever too much trouble.

"She is able to see situations and support with solutions when you feel stuck and always has a story to tell that makes you laugh and remember why we do what we do.

"Her relationship with the people we support is amazing and her compassion to ensure people receive the right care and support shines through."

Rivacre House is rated outstanding for its responsiveness by social care watchdog the CQC.