News
Lanarkshire home acquired with funding from Unity Trust Bank
Bellerose Care has bought Bankhouse Care Home in Lanarkshire, Scotland via a £2.5m refinance package from Unity Trust Bank. The family-run provider bought the
49-bed Bankhouse, which is located in the town of Lesmahagow, after it went into administration. Bellerose Care has a history of transforming the fortunes of care homes across Scotland. Bellerose Care owner Willie McDonald
said: “We bought our first care home 27 years ago because it was failing and we had a genuine desire to save the home and jobs. We turned it around and that led to us buying a second and so on. “Care homes fail for a reason, so first we
must identify if we think it’s saveable. We tend to get a feeling very quickly if it will be a right fit.
“Bankhouse has a great platform already.
We have come in and just given it the support and guidance it needs to push forward. We will improve all aspects of Bankhouse by investing in the environment itself and improving the already very good service it provides. “Unity’s ethos and philosophy of being in
business for the greater good is the equivalent to what we do in the care industry and it felt like the perfect match.” Michelle Wilson, relationship manager
at Unity Trust Bank, said: “We’re delighted to provide the funding for Bankhouse. As a social impact bank we support a range of frontline organisations that strengthen communities. “We’re committed to providing our
customers with the sector expertise and personal assistance they need to grow their organisation and improve the lives of people most in need.”
Holywell Care Group expands with Lancashire acquisition
Holywell Care Group has acquired the 24-bed Catterall House in Garstang, near Preston in Lancashire, in a deal brokered by Montane Care. Montane Care brokered the sale on behalf
of Arrowsmith Care Homes owner Skanda Rajaratnam. Sabe Connor, co-founder of Holywell
Care, said: “From the moment we stepped into Catterall House Care Home, we felt a genuine warmth and dedication from the team. The commitment to kindness, care and outstanding support aligns with our group
vision, so we are thrilled to welcome the residents and team into the Holywell Care family. “The team at Catterall House has done
incredible work, and we’re honoured to build on that foundation with the support of our dedicated staff. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for everyone at Catterall House and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together. “Working with Montane Care made the
process straightforward and efficient. We look forward to building on the fantastic foundations already in place and continuing to deliver the highest standards of care. “The acquisition marks an important
milestone in the group’s growth strategy and further demonstrates our commitment to supporting local communities with high- quality care services.” Co-founder Robert Connor added:
“Catterall House Care Home has strong foundations and a highly regarded reputation in the local area. “We look forward to building on this
success and investing in the home’s future, creating more jobs and expanding the care capacity so we can support even more people in the community.”
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com January 2026
Belong Villages awarded for ‘Gold Standard’ end-of- life care
Specialist dementia care provider Belong has been reaccredited by the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) for three of its care villages. The not-for-profit operator’s locations
in Atherton, Macclesfield, and Wigan have received praise for their ‘village living’ model, being conducive to helping to promote the independence of older people as much as possible. Personalised end-of-life care plans
and extensive physical and emotional support offered to residents and their families (as well as colleagues) were also highlighted. Belong Atherton was judged to have
‘compassionate person-centred care is a standout feature’, with assessors summarising, ‘it is not surprising to hear that it has a reputation for excellent care’. Meanwhile, Belong Wigan achieved a
Platinum rating and was commended for its strength in ‘commitment to provide high quality care to each resident and their families until their final days’. In Cheshire, assessors drew attention
to a relative of a Belong Macclesfield resident for sharing ‘how happy she was with the compassion and attention to detail from staff’ in its reaccreditation of Platinum status. Belong chief operating officer Rebecca
Woodcock said: “We understand the subject of death is a difficult one, for oneself and when thinking about our loved ones. But it’s imperative to recognise the importance of supporting people to experience a good, dignified death that meets their wishes. “This starts with collaboration
between the resident, their family, and our carers, underpinned by leading clinical expertise and care that prepares well for end of life. “We are therefore pleased to be
reaccredited with three GSF Quality Hallmark Awards, which serves as testament to the hard work and dedication of our team who have perhaps one of the most challenging but rewarding of jobs.”
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