About Us
Little did Helena Jeffery realise when she fulfilled her dream of owning a care home that 14 years later, she and her son Paul would be operating one of the United Kingdom’s largest and well respected independent care homes group.
Founded in 1994 with the purchase of Bradbury House in Essex, the Caring Homes Group now owns and runs more than 100 care homes in England and Scotland.
The story began in Norfolk where Helena, a state registered nurse and recently widowed, dreamt of owning her own care home. But a dream is one thing - reality is often another!
With two growing sons to look after and household bills to pay, Helena took a manager's position in an independently owned nursing home. For the time being anyway, thoughts of owning a care home had to be put "on the back burner".
In many ways, the home manager's job was almost perfect for Helena as it gave her the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the elderly people in her care.
"I have always believed that a care home should be a continuation of home life first of all, but also a place where people can have a new lease of life, try new experiences and enjoy companionship," says Helena.
But there was still that burning desire to own her own home which she discussed regularly with her sons Paul and Robert.
But funds were limited, Helena was prepared to sell her house but more money would be needed. So Paul, an Accountant, through his business contacts, and using his business skills secured the purchase of Bradbury House
The home needed a complete refurbishment to bring it up to the high standard which Helena demanded and which has since become synonymous with the Caring Homes name.
Good news travelled fast and Bradbury House soon had a waiting list - proving that Helena's insistence on quality and fulfilment was what people really wanted.
Building on the success of Bradbury House, a second home was purchased in Norfolk and the Caring Homes Group was truly born. Paul's entrepreneurial skills and exceptional business acumen, together with Helena's caring values were the perfect combination and Caring Homes enjoyed rapid growth over the years.
The commitment to quality of care which was so vital to the success of Bradbury House in 1994, still underpins the values and philosophy that is Caring Homes today.
