Meet our care team
At The Chestnuts, our staff are what make this house a home. With over 35 years of experience caring for older people in Weymouth, we've built a team known for its warmth, reliability, and genuine specialism in dementia care.
Many of our carers have worked here for years, not months — which means residents are supported by familiar, trusted faces rather than a constantly changing rota. That continuity lets us really understand each person's routines, quirks, and preferences, so support never feels generic.
Families from Dorchester, Portland, and across Dorset s regularly tell us it's the people here — not just the building — that convinced them this was the right home.
A caring and experienced team you can trust
We recruit for character as much as competence. Alongside relevant qualifications, we look for patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in supporting older people well.
- Round-the-clock care and support
- Specialist expertise in dementia care
- A stable, familiar team residents get to know over time
- A respectful, individual approach to every resident
Great care starts with great people — and we build our team around that belief.
Meet some of our team
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Samantha Jane Adkins
Registered Manager
Samantha Adkins, Director of Care Services & Head of Compliance, oversees person-centred care, CQC compliance, and the well-being of clients and staff. With over 20 years’ experience supporting vulnerable adults and people living with dementia across community, care home, and hospital settings, she has progressed from Care Assistant to Senior Management. Samantha holds an NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care and is a qualified trainer and assessor. She is passionate about person-centred care and believes effective training is essential to providing high-quality support. Outside work, she enjoys history and exploring new people and places. -
Nicola Stone
Deputy Manager
Nicola Stone, Deputy Manager, has many years of experience in the care sector and helps lead Chestnuts Residential Care Home. Her passion for supporting others has grown even deeper since she began managing a care home. She works alongside a fantastic team at Chestnuts. For her, care is not just a profession but a calling centred on building a community and ensuring that every individual feels valued, safe, and truly at home.
A team that feels like family
We don't think a care home should feel institutional. It should feel like home.
- Forms genuine bonds with residents, not just professional ones
- Keeps families informed and involved
- Offers continuity and consistency in day-to-day care
- Maintains a genuinely warm, welcoming atmosphere
It's this approach that has helped The Chestnuts build such a strong reputation across Weymouth and the wider Dorset community.
Visit and meet our team
The best way to see what makes The Chestnuts different is to visit. Meet the team and see how we support residents with dignity, care and genuine warmth every day.