CLS Care Homes Sale Paves The Way For Belong Villages Expansion

CLS Care Services Limited is to rebrand as Belong Limited as it focuses future strategy on the expansion of its award-winning Belong villages operation. The announcement follows completion of the sale of its 18 CLS care homes to Croftwood Care (Cheshire) Limited.

Commenting on the sale, CLS Group Chief Executive, Nick Dykes said: “We are passionate in our belief that the Belong village model offers the best option for maximising choice and independence, while providing the specialist care provision we need to support our ageing population.

“Its emphasis on community and its range of housing and support services means there are many more options and facilities than can be offered in a traditional care home setting.”

The community village model, pioneered by Belong in 2007, was developed around the needs of people with dementia and has achieved a track record of exemplar care provision for older people.

It offers a range of care, housing and support options, with 24-hour nursing and dementia support provided in small-scale households, apartments for independent living, home care, day care, a wide range of facilities and an Admiral nurse service.

There are five Belong villages in operation across the North West in Crewe, Macclesfield, Warrington, Wigan, and Atherton. Two further villages are currently under construction in Newcastle-under-Lyme and in Didsbury, Manchester.

Croftwood Care (Cheshire) is part of the Minster Care Group, a nationwide family-run care provider with over 80 homes. It has previously bought ten care homes from CLS, including eight homes in Wigan and Leigh, which it purchased in 2014. It will continue to operate each service with existing staff and residents, ensuring continuity of care and employment.

Nick Dykes added: “We are confident that the homes will thrive under their new ownership, and the deal has been concluded with the best interests of residents at heart.

“The Minster Care Group is a well established and reputable care provider, and this move ensures the future of the CLS homes, while allowing Belong to focus on the creation of pioneering places and services for people with dementia.”