Mayfield Trust

Mayfield Trust offers a wide range of support for children and adults with a learning disability, including educational courses, social activities, nursing care and supported housing

68 Number of years serving the community in Calderdale
500+ Number of courses provided for people
10000+ Number of people supported

Challenge

People with a learning disability often end up living in hospital and other unsuitable accommodation, where they have limited opportunities for independence and personal growth. This can also take them away from their family and friends.

The Government’s Transforming Care programme is shaking up the care sector, helping people with a learning disability get out of hospitals and group homes, and integrate back into the community.

Approach

Mayfield Trust offers a wide range of support for children and adults with a learning disability, including educational courses, social activities, nursing care and supported housing. Mayfield Trust took out a £400,000 loan from Charity Bank (which Big Society Capital is a shareholder in) to transform its old residential care home and outbuilding into new flats, a head office and activity centre. These align with the Government’s Transforming Care programme and offer a much greater level of independent living, privacy and autonomy. Mayfield Trust earns income through its tenancies, while saving the money it no longer spends to rent offices or rooms for activities.

Impact

Mayfield Trust has provided care for people in Calderdale for over 70 years, as a person-led care provider, focusing its support on what people want. The redevelopment has transformed its finances. Not only is the charity now bringing in more money through tenancies, it’s also saving £32,000 a year by no longer renting offices or rooms for activities.

Tenants are living much more independently, with greater privacy and autonomy. And the Trust has been able to take on three new tenants, who each have greater care needs that previously meant they had to live in hospitals. The residents and their families are delighted with the changes, and the charity’s future is much more secure.

"With the support of Charity Bank, we’ve gone from this huge residential home that was losing a lot of money, to a modern housing scheme with a waiting list. When I visit, I hear, ‘I love it here; I love my new flat; I’m doing my own cooking and shopping.’ These are small things that most of us take for granted, but they weren’t able to do those things before. They have a place of their own now." Matt Larkin, Operations Manager, Mayfield Trust

About Charity Bank

Charity Bank is the loans and savings bank owned by and committed to supporting the social sector. Since 2002, we have used our savers’ money to make more than 1,000 loans totalling over £300m to housing, education, social care, community and other social purpose organisations.