The owner of a day centre in West Cumbria said she is ‘amazed’ to have her business named the best in the county.

‘Avista Care, Florence House’, commonly known as the Florence House Day Centre, in Dearham, owned by Lynsey Edmondson, has been named the best adult day care provider in Cumbria for 2024 at the GHP Social Care Awards.

The award is ‘in recognition of all their hard work and dedication over the last 10 years’, a spokesperson from Global Health and Pharma (GHP) said.

“Avista Care has changed the face of daycare for people with dementia and disabilities in Cumbria.

“A truly awe-inspiring centre with exceptional leadership and staff, giving the highest quality of care and support,” they added.

Mrs Edmondson said she felt ‘amazed and very proud’ to win.

“We’ve made a difference to so many families over the years.

“We’re not part of a big company so it’s been very hard and very worthwhile,” she said.

She explained how she and her husband ‘took the plunge’ ten years ago to open it,

Before that, she worked in residential care overseeing regional quality.

“I saw younger and younger people going into care homes that didn’t need to be there,” she explained as the basis for Florence House.

The centre has a farm and offers many outdoor activities, such as gardening and animal petting.

“We work with adult social care in the area, and anyone can give us a ring and have a taster session.

“We also do our own free transport,” she said.

They will be celebrating the tenth anniversary next month with a party planned for staff and people who use the services.

Mrs Edmondson said they hope to win more awards, and that they ‘may expand to other areas’ in the future.