Helen Ley takeover gets into full swing
Pictured at Helen Ley on Wednesday were Maria Bawden (Director of Finance), Helen Finlay (Director of Care), Steve Nicklin (Chairman of Trustees), Rob Pearce (Chief Executive), Ann Crossley (Chairman of the Helen Ley Charitable Trust and Susie Murray (Director of Fundraising). MHLC-25-07-12 Takeover Jul152
ALMOST two years of negotiations have ended in a “good local solution” for saving the Helen Ley Care Centre near Leamington, it was declared as the site was relaunched by its new owner this week.
Representatives from Castel Froma, the Leamington-based care provider for people with neurological conditions which has taken over the running of Helen Ley, were joined by members of the Helen Ley trust and supporters and users of the home to mark what was hailed as a “new beginning” on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, which was held at the site in Blackdown, Ann Crossley, chairman of the Helen Ley Charitable Trust, said: “We heard two years ago, out of the blue, that the MS Society was withdrawing its support for its respite homes. It was a devastating blow.
“But then our fairy godmother came along - Castel Froma.
“We are realistic to know that there will be changes, but we are supporting Castel Froma.”
Steve Nicklin, chairman of the Castel Froma board of trustees, said: “We are very happy to be involved in steering Helen Ley towards a sustainable future.
“We believe that Castel Froma joining with Helen Ley is a good local solution.
“We are now one organisation, one charity, one board of trustees, one senior management team and one large team of staff, who mean everying to us.”
Emphasising the need for “significant community involvement”, he added: “None of our plans can become a reality without the support and involvement of local people who have given their time and/or money to support ongoing work at each centre.”
Castel Froma’s chief executive Rob Pearce pointed out that there is still much improvement work to be done at both sites - on “balancing the books” and introducing more rehabilative and transitional care at Helen Ley and working on plans to move Castel Froma from its Lillington Road location to a new purpose-built centre elsewhere in north Leamington.
He said: “Our ideas are growing. There is a business agenda here which is quite strong and really important.”
· Anyone wishing to get involved in volunteering for, donating towards, or supporting the Helen Ley or Castel Froma centres should call 313550.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Warwick
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
