Children’s care home safeguarded by six-figure loan

Paul Nugent

A Stoke-in-Trent children’s care home will continue to operate after securing a six-figure loan from Unity Trust Bank.
 
Alison Fitchford-Raji and her husband, Paul, who set up Vitality Care Residential in 2017, faced having to move from the premises they rented in Alton when the landlord put the building up for sale.
 
Following a £343,000 loan from Unity however, the couple were able to buy the property themselves, safeguarding their business and protecting local jobs.

Vitality Care Residential was founded after Alison, a previous foster parent, was inspired to set up her own company after spending years as a support worker looking after children with autism.

Paul Nugent, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank said: “As an ethical, commercial bank we work with organisations across the UK that deliver positive social impact.
 
“Unfortunately, there are thousands of children in need of good quality residential care, and we are delighted to have supported Alison and Paul in the purchase of this property.”
 
Alison Fitchford-Raji said: “We were devastated at the thought of leaving because our team and the children were really settled.
 
“The whole process was super smooth and everything went through in four months.
 
“My husband and I feel like we are doing something good in the community by looking after vulnerable children, so Unity’s values also resonate with us”.

Vitality Care Residential, which has a second care home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, employs 15 staff across both sites and can accommodate up to six children.
 
Both homes are Ofsted-regulated, with ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ ratings respectively.

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