In just two decades, Castlebeck, based at Enterprise House, Valley Street North in Darlington, has developed and expanded to become one of the country’s leading providers of specialist health care and rehabilitation services for people with learning disabilities.

 

The business was started by two nurses and a doctor who worked at the former Aycliffe Hospital near Sedgefield. When news of the closure of the hospital was announced, nurses Brian Stevens and Kevin Davis decided they wanted to find a way of continuing to provide essential care services for the vulnerable patients with learning difficulties  they had cared for. Together with Dr Sam Hadi, they decided to purchase and totally refurbish an elderly care nursing home at Whorlton Hall.

 

Kevin and Brian took on responsibility for running the new, 24 patient care facility, whilst Dr Hadi provided the necessary clinical input as Consultant Psychiatrist. At that point the fledgling company had 35 staff.

 

Three years later, having experienced tremendous success in attracting patients and securing the confidence of local referrers, the intrepid trio invested in their first expansion, opening a 5-bed residential home at Victoria House, Darlington.

 

Over the next few years the company continued to grow and when the three moved on to pastures new in 2002, a new management team took up the mantle and built on the strong foundation they had developed.

 

Now Castlebeck has 40 care homes and hospital facilities catering for over 500 patients, has a turnover rapidly approaching £50million (£0.5million in 1987-88) and employs over 1,000 highly professional staff across England, Scotland and Wales.

 

In addition to Whorlton Hall, the company’s other facilities in the north east include:

 

• Oaklands, Hexham – a 25 bed independent hospital which this month launches  a new Lifespan service
• Thornfield Grange, Bishop Auckland – a 12 bed care home
• Hollyhurst, Darlington – a 28 bed independent hospital
• Chesterholme, Hexham – a 29 bed independent hospital
• Redlands, Darlington – a 5 bed residential home
• Briar Court, Hartlepool – an 11 bed care home, with a new 5-bed GRA opened in October 2007
• Newbus Grange, Neasham, near Darlington – a 19 bed independent hospital for people with autism.

 

Castlebeck’s service users from across the UK are typically referred by social workers or psychiatrists and customers include the NHS and local authorities. The company provides particular expertise in delivering care to those with more complex needs, including specialist treatment for adults with autistic spectrum disorders.

 

Company Chairman David Cole said: “The development and growth of Castlebeck is undoubtedly one of the region’s success stories. From just one facility in 1987 to a major national provider just 20 years later, is a truly remarkable track record.

 

“The company has built its reputation in a very tough market place and our success is essentially down to our high professional standards, quality provision and excellent customer service.

 

“This is a business that relies enormously on the professionalism of staff and in this respect we have been very fortunate. Some of our people have been with the company from the start and they have made an invaluable contribution to the way in which the business has developed and blossomed.

 

“It’s very significant that the company has been able to operate with home-grown managers, many of whom started as nurses and support workers, who through their dedication have gone on to gain better qualifications.

 

“As part of this anniversary celebration we will be acknowledging staff dedication and commitment by presenting long service awards to two employees who each have served 20 years with the company.”    

 

The anniversary celebration

Castlebeck, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on Tuesday, 6th November 2007, will be going back to its roots to mark the occasion.

 

The company has organised a 20th birthday event at its original facility – Whorlton Hall, at Whorlton, near Barnard Castle.

 

Following a buffet lunch at 12.30pm, there will be a welcome from Julie Donovan, the current manager at Whorlton Hall and a look back over the company’s twenty years from company Chairman, David Cole.

 

Then David Cole and Managing Director, Jonathan Mann, will present special long service awards to two members of staff who have been with Castlebeck since the company was launched twenty years ago. They are Senior Clinical Manager Jim Clephane and Senior Support Worker Yvonne Dean-Johnson who have been with the company since day one.

 

At 1pm, residents, staff and guests will help with a big anniversary balloon launch.

 

Among other guests on the day will be:

• Founding members of the company – Kevin Davis, Brian Stevens and Dr Sam Hadi (who all have now left Castlebeck, but are returning for this celebration)
• Current and former service users
• Current Chair, Managing Director and senior managers of Castlebeck.