Owning and running an independent nursing home in a listed building brings unique responsibilities. Not only do we care for loved ones, but we also preserve Stanfield House itself. Its Georgian features and beautiful character create the homely atmosphere that defines our nursing home. The building and the care we provide are intertwined, each enhancing the other, making it a key part of Worcester care home history.
The Beginnings of Stanfield Nursing Home
I purchased Stanfield Nursing Home in 1987, marking my first experience with a listed building. Apart from caring for the people here, I quickly realised that maintaining the house itself required special attention. Initially, I thought I had bought a nightmare because of the complexities involved in restoring and preserving such a historic structure.
Having been used to making changes in other buildings, I found it surprising that I had to consult several people before any modification could be made. Each proposed alteration required approval from the listed building officer and other interested parties, many of whom had differing views. Balancing the preservation of this important piece of Worcester care home history, with the necessary updates for modern care, was essential to our success.
Stanfield House Before Becoming a Nursing Home
Stanfield House was once connected to Wick Episcopi, the former Bishop’s residence of Worcestershire. The house features original sections from 1546 and earned its listing in 1957, primarily for its extravagant bay window off the large sitting room. This beautiful window remains a focal point, and we take great care in maintaining it.
The building served as a private house for many years before it transitioned into a nursing home. The last private owner, Dr. Cavanaugh, lived here for a long time, enjoying the charm and warmth of the house. Before he moved out of the area, he shared with me how much joy Stanfield House had brought him.
The Transition to a Nursing Home
After Dr. Cavanaugh, a passionate and ambitious nurse took on the challenge of converting the house into a nursing home. Despite her passion, financial difficulties eventually forced her to sell the property. I was fortunate to purchase this beautiful house at a fair price. However, further work was needed to meet the essential standards I had envisioned for a nursing home.
While preserving the historical integrity of the house, I continued to develop the home into a place that could offer the highest standard of care. This careful balance between maintaining the building’s history and updating it for modern care remains an important part of Worcester care home history.
Moving Forward
Running Stanfield Nursing Home requires ongoing collaboration with preservation experts to protect the historic features of the house while offering modern, compassionate care to the people we are for. By working closely with those responsible for preserving this beautiful building, we continue to honour the history of Stanfield House while meeting the needs of our loved ones.
If you want to learn more about Worcester care home history and Stanfield Nursing Home’s journey, I invite you to explore our YouTube channel for videos about our history. You can also read our other blog on how we keep loved ones active and engaged at Stanfield Nursing Home.
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