Not-for-profit dementia care specialist Belong has named new managers for two of its care villages.

Cheryl Davies has been named new general manager for its Macclesfield village, marking a return to the community for Davies.

Meanwhile, at the provider’s Chester village, Caroline Ray has been appointed as the new general manager.

Davies, whose career spans more than three decades, returns to Upton Priory following three years as general manager at sister village Belong Crewe.

Until 2021, Cheryl was Belong Macclesfield’s registered manager with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), responsible for both its 24-hour care and nursing provision for 72 residents. Prior to this, she established the group’s home care service, Belong at Home, providing domiciliary assistance to its tenants in its 18 independent-living apartments, as well as people within the locale.

Now, back at the village in the role of general manager, she has a wider remit and ambitions to build on its strengths. Davies said: “It’s wonderful to return to Belong Macclesfield. Whilst I’ve been away, the village and team have attained significant milestones and I plan to continue this success to reach more people.

“There are many familiar faces, including a dozen colleagues from when we opened 17 years ago – they’re still here! It really is a testament to Belong as an employer; it’s a fantastic place to work and I’m thrilled to be back.”

Sue Goldsmith, Belong chief operating officer, added: “We’re very pleased to appoint Cheryl to head up our Macclesfield team. She has an intricate knowledge of our organisation, our customers’ needs, and she already has strong links with the community. As a result, she’s well-respected, well-liked and we’re confident she will be quickly prove to be a great asset to the village team.”

The appointment was made in tandem with the move of Macclesfield’s former general manager Caroline Ray to lead the team at the newest Belong village in Chester.

Among her plans include expanding the village’s experiences and activities programme and raising awareness of its day specialist day-care service, Experience Days.

Speaking of her appointment, Ray, new general manager at Belong Chester, said: “I’m very excited that my next career step is at this wonderful community for all ages. Our intergenerational village has been attracting national and international attention since its official opening, last year, on the back of the compelling benefits being experienced by young and old alike.”

Sue Goldsmith, Belong chief operating officer, added: “We’re very pleased to appoint Caroline to head up our Chester team. She has an intricate knowledge of our organisation, our customers’ needs and with her proven track record ensuring exceptional standards of care, we’re more than confident she will be an asset to the village.”