Pinewood Care Home back in local hands after more than 30 years

All 40 members of the Pinewood team are staying on, so the 45 people who live at the home will continue to be cared for by the faces they know.

The new owners say their approach will be shaped by the people who live and work at Pinewood, with residents, families and staff all having a say in the home’s next chapter.

Michael Kirkwood, Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Group, said the acquisition brought both opportunity and responsibility.

“Pinewood is home to its residents and an important part of their families’ lives,” he said. “There is a great deal of knowledge and experience within the home, and we want to draw on that as we look ahead.

“For us, local ownership means being involved and accessible, knowing the people we work with and taking responsibility for the decisions we make. We’re pleased to have the opportunity to help shape Pinewood’s future alongside its residents, families and staff.”

One family, whose mother spent 14 months at Pinewood after two hip replacements, said the staff showed her real love and dignity, and that she regularly had a good giggle with them.

“It was really home from home,” they said. “Having peace of mind that Mum was being well cared for, and treated with respect and love, was very important to all of us. She was never bored, but if she wanted quiet time in her room, the staff respected that. She has said that if she ever needs care again, Pinewood would be her very first choice.”

Elizabeth de la Haye, Managing Director of Lifeline Group, said: “People should be able to carry on enjoying the things that matter to them, with the right support,” she said. “That means taking an interest in their lives, respecting their choices and making room for the everyday pleasures that make a place feel like home.”

Pictured: Left to right – Jordan Saile, Pinewood Home Manager, Elizabeth de la Haye, Managing Director, and Michael Kirkwood, CEO, Lifeline Group.