Sunday 17th October marked the 80th anniversary of Brunelcare’s founding. Launched in 1941 during World War II, Brunelcare was originally named The Old People’s Welfare Committee and they had three key goals when caring for older people: Keep them warm, keep them fed, keep them alive. Now, 80 years later, the charity is celebrating how it has come with a week full of celebrations. 

Brunelcare now has five care homes, three extra care housing sites, two reablement centres and two dedicated home care teams caring for people across the south-west.

Today, Tuesday 19th October, marks the celebration of Brunelcare employees and their dedication to the charity. The Long Service Awards will be hosted at Bristol’s MShed and will recognise 119 colleagues who are celebrating key milestones. The event will include an afternoon tea, entertainment and bottles of bubbly to say thank you to the charity's loyal employees.  

Alongside the Long Service Awards, Brunelcare will officially celebrate the expansion of its Waverley Gardens Extra Care Housing Scheme. The extension saw 62 new purpose-built apartments for independent living for older people, with help on hand if they need it. The event will be hosted at the scheme for tenants, employees, friends and family to enjoy.

Finally, there will be the official opening of Brunelcare’s Little Heath Care Home and Reablement Centre. Brunelcare’s newest care home unofficially opened its doors at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to help ease the strain on NHS hospital beds and care. The Care Home or Reablement Centre wasn’t fully finished but still welcomed new guests and residents to live. Brunelcare is also encouraging all its local services to host celebrations. 

Oona Goldsworthy, Brunelcare CEO, said: “It’s an honour to work at the charity when celebrating such an extraordinary milestone. The charity has come such a long way and I’m grateful to be part of the celebrations. The week of celebrations is just the tip of the iceberg and we will be remembering the charity's humble history for years to come.”