Building with faith: An interview with Hugh Lambourne
Hugh Lambourne recently joined us as Director of Property Services. We learn about his background, his role and plans for future property developments
Growth and Renewal Programme
The Growth and Renewal Programme will see an expansion of our work so that more people benefit from Christian care through buildings designed to support The Way We Care
We plan to invest in all our homes and, where we have buildings with limitations and a limited lifespan, we plan to replace them with a new build. Each new home will be a state-of-the-art, residential care home designed in households to create safe and familiar spaces for older people to flourish in later life.
The first new home is Middlefields House in Chippenham which was opened during the Summer of 2021, with new homes to follow at Homesdale in Wanstead, London, and in the South Coast region.
Upgrades and refurbishments are ongoing in some of our current homes and began with major works at Finborough Court in Stowmarket in 2017.
We are also taking on homes from other providers, ensuring that Christian care can continue in areas that already have an established Christian care home. As part of the Growth and Renewal Programme, the following have joined us: Emmaus House, Whitehaven (in October 2023), Homesdale in Wanstead, London (in January 2024 - a new care home will be built to replace the old one, independent living scheme to continue), Bridgemead, Bath in October 2024 and Bethany House, Preston in April 2025.
In our new homes, every person who makes their home with us will enjoy high-quality care, tailored to their unique needs and preferences, including those living with dementia. Each private room will have an en-suite and will give access to communal spaces. There will also be specially designed gardens and outdoor spaces for family and friends to enjoy when they visit.
The special “household model” will mean that those living in the homes will not only have their own private space, but also be part of a small, friendly, caring community. Living in the households will feel very much like living in a typical family home, with close access to the usual touches of home such as living and dining spaces. The care teams will be committed to a single household, allowing for a friendly and familiar atmosphere.
We are also aware that it isn’t always possible for smaller Christian care home charities with fewer resources to sustain and/or expand their work and when we can help, we will do so by slotting them into our Growth and Renewal Programme. We welcome approaches from churches, charities and individuals with a vision for Christian care being available in their neighbourhood and some resources to help make that happen.
The Way We Care
Our bespoke approach to creating communities where older people can flourish
As part of the Pilgrims’ Friend Society family of care homes and independent living housing schemes, the new homes will be rooted in the Christian faith, with daily times of prayer or devotions, and regular activities including services and singing. Many of the staff at the home will share the Christian faith, and fellowship and family will flow through the atmosphere of the home. This means that those who have followed the Christian faith throughout their lives, and those who are sympathetic to the faith, will have opportunities to practise their faith, both individually and as part of a Christian community as they choose.
The new homes are also committed to not only provide a home for older people, but to bring the local community together as well with public facilities and outdoor spaces available.
Latest locations to join us...
Thanksgiving as Bethany House joins the family
A thanksgiving service was held to mark the transfer of the Preston care home to our charity
Welcome to Bridgemead
In October 2024, Bridgemead care home in Bath joined the Pilgrims’ Friend Society. We explore what makes it such a special place to live