Our Story

In 2013, the long-established Family and Friends Forum at Stanley Grange was notified by the former owners, Hft that the site had to be shut down and all the residents dispersed and moved away from their friends and the security of Stanley Grange into accommodations in urban communities against their wishes.

The Family and Friends Forum sprang into action launching a campaign to save Stanley Grange and take over ownership of the site.

‘Everyone who comes to Stanley Grange is looking for a safe and happy home and the friendly community environment and rural setting gives residents the freedom to explore, within the safety of a caring community. We had amazing support from local people, Councillors and Members of Parliament. One of the families of a resident was so committed to Stanley Grange and its positive effects on their son that they loaned us £1.6 million to purchase the land and buildings from Hft.’

Alongside securing the funds to purchase the site, our next priority was choosing a care provider whose values would ensure that Stanley Grange never faced risk of closure again. On 1st October 2015, we took over ownership of the site alongside our chosen care provider Future Directions CIC. Learn more about Future Directions and our partnership here

Since 2015 our priorities have been:
  • Building a strong collaborative partnership with Future Directions
  • Launching an ambitious 12-phase Refurbishment, Modernisation and Renewal fundraising programme. Learn more here.
  • Re-building an active and full activities programme driven by the interests and choices of residents. Click to learn more.
  • Ensuring Stanley Grange, and residents at Stanley Grange continue to be part of the wider community.

In July 2020, under lockdown (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) residents at Stanley Grange celebrated our 5th Anniversary. We remain grateful to the residents, their friends and families, the Future Directions team, and the community at large for their ongoing support to ensure Stanley Grange remains a welcoming, inclusive, life enhancing and fun place for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs for years to come.