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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Vanessa Powling
Home Manager
Our Home Manager leads Chestnuts Residential Care Home with a genuine passion for delivering outstanding, person-centred care in a warm and welcoming setting. With extensive experience in residential and dementia care, they are dedicated to ensuring every resident is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. By working closely with residents, families, and our dedicated care team, they maintain the highest standards of care and wellbeing, creating a safe and supportive home where residents can live comfortably and families have complete peace of mind.
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 understand what makes The Chestnuts different is to come and see it for yourself.
We welcome families from Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland, and the surrounding area to visit, meet the team, and get a real feel for life here.
Come and see how our staff support residents with dignity, care, and genuine warmth, every single day.