Care centre opens after securing six-figure funding deal
A Warwickshire adult day care centre has opened following a six-figure funding package from Unity Trust Bank.
Rose Cottage Care Farm secured £615,000 to create the retreat near Hockley Heath for people who need support for autism, ADHD, Down’s Syndrome, dementia or depression.
Christina Robinson and Martine Verweij, who also own Grangy Huis, used the loan to transform the former B&B. Twenty users per day will be able to enjoy animal therapy, horticulture and cooking to help them develop.
Verweij said: “If people with additional needs don’t have a focus or a goal they can go backwards really quickly. Looking after the animals or tending to the gardens gives people a feeling of purpose.
“Animals offer affection and don’t discriminate, and animal therapy is a concept that is proven to bring happiness. Our clients grow vegetables and cook with them, so we eat our own food for lunch which is lovely, and we have lots of crafts and activities to help stimulate people.”
Robinson, a care professional, took over Te Hira Care Home in Rugby in 2008, and Martine, whose background is in the third sector, became joint owner in 2021.
The women were passionate about opening a ‘care farm’ for personal reasons – Robinson felt her brother-in-law wouldn’t have died so young from dementia if he’d had more suitable day care, and Verweij wanted to improve the levels of support to match those available in The Netherlands, where she was born.
Verweij said: “Unity was recommended to us because they support good causes. Knowing that the bank is sustainable and will only get involved in projects that they believe in made us feel really good.
“Our relationship managers have been amazing. They’ve always been there for us and that was really important in the beginning because the transaction wasn’t straightforward and took 12 months to complete.
“They gave us the right back up at the right time. They guided us through and were really helpful. Without Unity we wouldn’t be here, and we wouldn’t be able to help all these people.”
Amy McDermott, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, said: “With Christina and Martine’s wealth of experience and passion for delivering the best care possible, they have created a wonderful, calming and stimulating facility where people with additional needs can lead fulfilling lives.
“At Unity, we only lend to organisations that help improve the lives of local communities and that is exactly what Grangy Huis is doing; we were delighted to support this development.”
