A proud and bittersweet moment
Caremark Chelmsford & Uttlesford Registered Care Manager Alice Doherty has described the “proud and bittersweet” moment when she discovered she had won a national award. This happened just over 12 months after losing her husband to cancer.
Alice was recently named Caremark Manager of the Year. She was selected from over 140 other care managers who work for companies within our national franchise network.
This prestigious honour recognises her exceptional leadership, commitment to quality and dedication to person‑centred care at Caremark Chelmsford & Uttlesford. She joined the organisation in 2024.
Alice’s achievement is even more impressive because it occurred in a year following the death of her husband Phil from cancer. He died sadly in December 2024.
Winning the award was completely unexpected
Reflecting on the moment her name was announced, mum-of-two Alice said: “It was completely unexpected. My daughter burst into tears when they announced my name.
“I felt so proud, truly proud, but it was also incredibly bittersweet. Phil wasn’t here to see it and that made it emotional in a very different way.”
Alice spent months as Phil’s primary carer, an experience she says profoundly reshaped her personally and professionally.
“Even with a lifetime spent caring for others, looking after Phil was a uniquely different and emotionally profound experience,” she says.
“It has added new depth to my understanding of the families we support and further reinforced my commitment to dignified compassionate care.”
Care has always been part of my life
Alice’s journey into care began long before her first job. Growing up with a mum living with multiple sclerosis, she was surrounded by carers from an early age. She also often stepped in herself when support failed to arrive.
“Care has always been part of my life and through my experience with my mum where I would often be called out of school to come and look after her, it became who I was before it ever became a profession,” she explains.
About Caremark Chelmsford & Uttlesford
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