Meet the Cherry Blossom Manor Care Home Team
Our trained team of professionals work together to create the best possible experience for those living in the home, striving to deliver excellent care services in a warm, homely environment. You can find out more about some of our wonderful staff members below:
Gigi Despojo
Welcome to Cherry Blossom Manor's website; my name is Jeranie 'Gigi' Despojo and I am the General Manager here. I hope you find everything you're looking for!
I have been a General Registered Nurse for over 25 years now. I was a Community Health Nurse for a long time and also had a few good years of working in a nursing classroom as a Clinical Instructor.
I also worked as a Deputy Manager, eventually working my way up to the role of General Manager for a residential, nursing and nursing dementia care home. It was 3 years of making great differences to the lives of residents and their loved ones.
Personally, nothing is good or outstanding if you don’t make a difference in the lives of people you work for and with.
I always try to add value in people; helping others to succeed is more rewarding than my own success.
Good success is when you value people, find ways and opportunities to make their lives a little bit better and then keep that balance with your own family.
Luca La Porta
Luca joined us at Cherry Blossom Manor as Head of Unit in June 2018, and was promoted to Deputy Manager later in the year. Luca is looking forward to supporting all the staff at the home.
Stefan Cora
Hi, my name is Stefan, and I am Head of Care here at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Cristina Dorobantu
Cristina joined us in 2016, starting as a Healthcare Assistant. Christina then became a Nurse on our Wellington Unit.
Cristina's dedication and knowledge was quickly recognised and it wasn't long before she was promoted to Unit Manager of our Bramley Unit, which is our designated dementia unit. I am a dementia champion at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Cristina love's her job and the new challenges it brings every day. She works alongside a great team who are like a second family.
Marianne Rosamond
Hello, my name is Marianne, and I'm the Head of Silchester and Palliative Care Champion.
Michela Chiaramonte
Hi. My name is Michela and I am the Head of our Wellington Community.
Cristina Elena Tarau
Hello, my name is Cristina. I am a senior nurse here at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Martha Baluma
Hi, my name is Martha, and I am Night Team Leader here at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Ana-Maria Hategan
Hello. My name is Ana, and I am the Junior Night Team Leader here at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Ali Mather
My name is Ali & I joined Cherry Blossom Manor 8 months after the home opened. Previous to working, here I worked in the banking sector and, for 10 years, I also worked in domiciliary care. Both of my previous roles have given me a good insight into my current role.
I love working at Cherry Blossom Manor; I really enjoy meeting all the residents & spending time with them, every day is different.
My ‘working dog’, Bailey, comes to work with me every day; he has been keeping us all company since 2012. He brings happiness to all the residents, who love to treat him with biscuits.
Lydie Bach
Hello. My name is Lydie. I am the Activities Coordinator here at Cherry Blossom Manor.
Angel Kho
Hi, my name is Angel, and I am the Head Chef here at Cherry Blossom Manor. I have worked with Barchester in hospitality since 2012. I started as a Kitchen Assistant/Hostess whilst was studying for VRQ in Professional Cookery at college to qualify for Hospitality Management. Cooking & Baking is my passion & I like creating new & exiting dishes for our Residents.
Bogdan Opar
As Maintenance Manager it is my job to ensure the home looks as good as new. I make sure all en-suite rooms, communal areas and corridors are decorated to a high standard. No job is either too big or too small. I also ensure that all the gardens, along with the courtyard are colourful all year round for our residents and families to enjoy.
Lillian Wood
Lillian has joined the Housekeeping Team as Head of Department, overseeing Housekeeping and Laundry within the home. Since joining the team she has updated systems in place and has shuffled the team to allow them to work more efficiently.
Lillian has an open door policy and can often be found with residents and staff discussing anything and everything.
When not at work Lillian can be found with her grandchildren where she enjoys nothing more than getting them messy so they have dirty laundry to take home to mummy!
Shelley Wicks
Hi. My name is Shelley. I am a Senior Carer here at Cherry Blossom Manor. I am also the home's Speak Up and Dementia Champion.
Nino Camantigue
Hello. My name is Nino and I am the Second Chef at Cherry Blossom Manor
Bailey
Hello, my name is Bailey. I am the Therapy Dog here at Cherry Blossom Manor.
