Now jointly under the direct management and supervision of the third and fourth generations of the family, the individual care homes making up the AbleCare Homes Group deliver the most personal level of care in real home from home settings. In this respect the set up is different from many of the modern, new build homes that are springing up across the region, often financed by investors and hedge funds. All six of the homes are provided within the heart of Bristol and South Gloucestershire’s vastly different and eclectic communities. Whether it is the villages of Winterbourne or Frenchay, or the tight knit communities of Hengrove, Westbury-on-Trym or Redland, the beautiful period properties have been tastefully adapted to meet the needs of older people and people living with a dementia whilst still feeling like large family homes. Managing Director, Sam Hawker, says ‘We know how important it is for families to live near their loved ones and for people to remain within the communities where they have spent their lives, raised their own families and met lifelong friends. It makes such a difference to our residents’ wellbeing to live in a house that feels like a home and where they can pop in and out of the garden at will or pick which room to spend their time in.’
Bristol Based Care Through and Through
Boasting a truly family orientated, Bristol born and bred pedigree, providing beautiful care homes for the citizens of Bristol and surrounding area, AbleCare Homes offer something different when it comes to residential care.
The dedication of Sam’s Grandmother, Beatrice was instrumental in the founding of the company, and she was an early role model for women in business. She worked alongside the men on the conversion of Belvedere Lodge which was to become the family’s first
care home; undertaking jobs such as painting, decorating and making curtains and soft furnishings on her sewing machine. The company which was to become AbleCare Homes started trading in 1983, where Beatrice continued to work in the business helping with a variety jobs in the home from serving meals to mending bedspreads and tablecloths and an occasional bit of painting and decorating. At the age of 80 her first great-grandchild, Josh, was born, and he’s gone on to become the fourth generation of the family ensuring AbleCare Homes provides care his great grandmother would have been proud of.
Although the face of residential care has changed dramatically over the last four decades, the values and principles of the family have remained at the foremost in working with the great staff teams they employ. Sam says ‘We have modernised with the times and now offer care for older people with higher levels of need; there is a much greater demand for dementia care too. We have maintained our ability to provide this care in beautiful, homely settings where individual needs, choices and preferences are our first priority.’
Josh comments on how the business has adapted to meet modern needs whilst retaining the essence that makes the homes so special. We have moved forward providing smart TV’s and full WiFi access whilst still retaining the old-fashioned values people appreciate. ‘I’m delighted that our care teams have achieved success as part of the Great British Care Awards, covering the whole of the South West; these included best Care Home Worker, Best Care Home Team and Covid-19 Hero. It just goes to show that there is no substitute for genuine family led care. Our catering teams have achieved incredible recognition taking part in a South West regional cook off competition. Having been selected as finalists for the region, our Head Office support team, activity provision and catering staff will also be competing for accolades later this year.’
