Co-production is fundamental to how we develop a bespoke home for every individual we support. At the heart of that process, we place the design in the hands of the people who will live there – both practically and, in this case, quite literally.

From the very beginning, their preferences, sensory needs, aspirations and lived experience help form the roadmap for the co-production journey.

This principle was brought to life at one of our new residential settings currently being developed in Derbyshire, where J donned a hard hat and high-vis jacket to visit the construction site of his future self-contained apartment. With notepad in hand, J sketched out ideas, expressed his vision and explored potential layouts, providing invaluable insight into how the space could best support his needs and the way he wants to live.

Gaining J’s input at an early stage of construction is a vital part of the co-production process. We have also benefited from the incredibly valuable contributions of J’s family and care professionals at Derbyshire County Council, whose knowledge and collaborative approach are helping us make informed decisions that will have a meaningful impact on J’s future home.

As the project progresses, we will continue to work alongside J, his family, Derbyshire County Council, and our construction and clinical specialists to transform his ideas into a space that is truly his own.

Godfrey Care services have never been shy about firing up the BBQ when the opportunity presents itself, and sure enough, Dorset House in Chesterfield was the first to break out the tongs this season, making the most of the recent glorious weather! JH and the support team headed out to the garden to flame-grill a mouth-watering feast of burgers and hot dogs while soaking up the sunshine.

Our nearby Pine Bank service also dined al fresco, enjoying a bumper Bank Holiday buffet as part of an all-day summer party. The delicious spread included everything from cupcakes to kebabs, while salad cream and sun cream were dolloped in equal measure!

CS volunteered for DJ duties and kept everyone entertained with a fantastic set of non-stop floor-fillers, proving that bangers aren’t just for barbecues.

We hope to see many more sunny days as the summer progresses, but one thing’s for sure – Godfrey Care services have a healthy appetite for good food, great company and good times!

Godfrey Care has officially opened Willow Lodge, a new specialist residential service in Sutton-in-Ashfield
designed to support adults with complex, high-acuity needs.

The service was formally launched during an Open Day attended by families, Local Authority representatives, Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioners, healthcare professionals and sector partners. The official ribbon-cutting was carried out by the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Merlita Bryan MBE.

Willow Lodge has been developed to provide four bespoke self-contained living environments, complemented by communal spaces that support social connection, independence and wellbeing. Each apartment has been designed and specified for complex needs, offering a homely environment which benefits from on-site support from a highly experience service team and additional support from a multidisciplinary team of clinical
professionals.

A defining feature of the project has been its collaborative development process. Families, local authorities, ICB commissioners, clinical teams and Godfrey Care’s multidisciplinary and senior leadership teams have been actively involved throughout the design and planning stages, ensuring the service reflects the needs of the individuals it will support.

Tracy Johnson, Managing Director of Godfrey Care, said:

“Willow Lodge demonstrates what can be achieved when providers, families, commissioners and clinical
professionals work together from the outset. Every aspect of the service has been shaped through collaboration and co-production. Our focus has been on creating a highly tailored environment that delivers positive outcomes, promotes independence and empowers individuals to determine their pathway and goals in life.”

The development follows Godfrey Care’s established model of engaging stakeholders early in the design process to create environments that are both clinically informed and person-centred.
Families have been involved through regular site visits and consultation throughout the build programme, helping to ensure that lived experience directly influenced the final design. This approach has enabled individual preferences and requirements to be considered well before people move into the service.

At Godfrey Care, we are passionate about creating environments where people feel encouraged and confident to make their own life choices and develop their skills.

At Ash Tree House in Burton-on-Trent, the people we support have been embracing opportunities both in the home and in the community. JB has been building his independence by taking charge of everyday routines at home, including preparing his own breakfasts and spending time in the kitchen flipping pancakes. He has also enjoyed various community activities and found time to pop to the local barbers for a trim.

KS has been developing his independent living skills, including laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping, and continues to enjoy quality time with his family, sharing his experiences and progress. Meanwhile, LC has been making the most of the warmer weather with visits to local parks and cycling sessions at the athletics track. She has also been honing her baking techniques with the creation of some delicious cakes.

Similarly, our nearby service at Ashby House has been supporting people to develop and maintain independent living skills, helping them feel in control of their daily lives as they take an active role in shopping and meal preparation, including planning meals, choosing ingredients, and preparing food. They’ve also been taking part in shopping trips, building confidence with budgeting, decision-making, and community engagement.

Through tailored support and a focus on inclusion and empowerment, our services have promoted independence, wellbeing, and progression. Well done everyone at Ash Tree House and Ashby House – it’s wonderful to see people thriving with the freedom and confidence to shape their own lives.

We’re delighted to introduce three new colleagues to the Godfrey Care team, each bringing a wealth of expertise and knowledge to their roles.

Preeti Mistry – People & Culture Partner
Preeti joins us with over 13 years’ HR experience across a range of industries, including the past three years in healthcare. Her background spans both generalist and advisory HR roles, with additional experience in Learning & Development. Preeti’s people-focused approach and ability to support complex HR functions within fast-paced environments will be invaluable to our People & Culture team.

Kelly Tuffnell – Service Manager, Willow Lodge
Kelly brings 21 years of experience within the care sector and a strong passion for delivering high-quality support. Kelly is taking on a central role at our new service, Willow Lodge in Sutton-in-Ashfield, which opens this summer. She is committed to creating positive outcomes for the people we support and leading teams that provide compassionate, person-centred care. We are excited to have her expertise and leadership at Willow Lodge.

Dominic Weston – Specialist Behaviour Practitioner
Dominic joins our PBS team with experience supporting children and young people with autism and learning disabilities across educational and social care settings. Holding both a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and an MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Dominic is passionate about working collaboratively to improve quality of life and achieve positive outcomes for individuals through meaningful behavioural support strategies.

Preeti, Kelly and Dominic are three outstanding additions to our team. We look forward to the positive impact they will make across our services as we continue building futures together.