Community Connections: Our Charity Partnerships

In January 2026, Ashberry Healthcare launched a new Charity of the Year initiative across our homes, creating opportunities to support local organisations and build stronger connections within the communities around us. Since then, each home has been finding its own way to support its chosen charity and involve residents, families, staff and the wider community.

The initiative was created to build meaningful relationships with local charities throughout the year. Since January, our homes have supported their chosen causes through fundraising, community events, donations, visits and shared experiences.

There has already been plenty to celebrate.

Supporting causes that matter to our residents

For many of our homes, the choice of charity has a personal connection.

At Holmer Court, residents chose The Royal British Legion Herefordshire as their Charity of the Year. Many residents have personal connections to the Armed Forces, whether through their own service, family members or memories from earlier in their lives.

This connection was clear during the home's sponsored walk in support of the Poppy Appeal. The original goal was to complete 100 laps of the garden and raise £250. Our residents completed 135 laps while families, friends and staff added another 350 laps. Together, they completed an incredible 485 laps and raised around £460.

One particularly special moment came while 97-year-old Pat was completing her laps. As she walked, she shared memories of how The Royal British Legion had supported her and her family when she was a child. Hearing Pat's story brought a personal connection to the partnership and showed why supporting the charity means so much to the people who live at Holmer Court.

The partnership has also given the home opportunities to raise awareness of The Royal British Legion's work within the local community, including sharing volunteering opportunities for the Poppy Appeal in Herefordshire.

Bringing the community into our homes

One of the highlights of the initiative has been seeing local organisations become part of life within our homes.

At Blaenos House, the partnership with Llandovery Rotary Club has included a visit from the Mayor and members of the Rotary Club. Residents were able to hear more about the organisation's work and its connection to the local community. The home has also held a bake off As part of its fundraising where £100 was raised.

The Weir has welcomed its charity partner through a One Foot in the Grain gathering with We Are Farming Minds. The event brought members of the farming community together for conversation and refreshments while highlighting the importance of mental health support within agriculture.

At Meadowview, the partnership with Still Me Warrington Dementia Project has created opportunities to bring residents and the wider community together. The home has held community events including a coffee morning and afternoon tea while also launching its A-Z Fundraising Challenge.

The A-Z challenge involves 26 fundraising activities with a target of £4,000. So far, Meadowview has raised £586, with fundraising activities including the A-Z challenge, bonus ball, afternoon tea, summer fayre and sweep.

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Giving residents new experiences

The charity partnerships have also created opportunities for residents to take part in activities outside their usual routines.

At Allt Y Mynydd, the partnership with Herd on the Hill Sanctuary will give residents the opportunity to visit the sanctuary throughout the year, spend time with the animals and enjoy being outdoors. The home has also been supporting the sanctuary through its fundraising efforts.

At Broomy Hill, residents have been able to attend ArtSpace, a group run by Herefordshire Mind. David particularly enjoyed his visit, catching up with old friends and spending time with people of all artistic abilities. He has already said he is looking forward to returning.

The partnership has also created an opportunity for staff involvement, with Broomy Hill administrator Steph becoming a Herefordshire Mind Ambassador. She has been supporting greater awareness of mental health within the home and encouraging open conversations around wellbeing.

Broomy Hill has also taken part in its Move for Mental Health fundraiser. Fifteen participants cycled 123.3 miles between them, followed by a walking challenge where six participants covered another 14.2 miles. The home has raised £748 so far.

Supporting charities in different ways

Each home has taken its own approach to supporting its chosen charity. Some have organised fundraising events while others have made donations or created opportunities for residents to engage directly with their charity partner.

Engelberg Care Home is supporting Compton Care throughout 2026. The partnership will continue through fundraising, awareness and community activities as the year progresses.

Across the initiative, homes have also made direct donations to their chosen charities. Several homes have already contributed £500 alongside their wider fundraising and community activities.

Building intergenerational connections

At Moorhouse, our local Scouts and Cubs group was a natural choice for Charity of the Year, having already built a wonderful relationship with our residents through regular visits.

Since becoming partners, we have enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt and Summer Beach Party together, with a Christmas event also planned for later this year. Our residents love spending time with the children, particularly listening to them sing, and their visits bring plenty of joy, laughter and meaningful connection.

What we have achieved so far

Since January, our homes have been busy fundraising for their Charity of the Year partners, with Ashberry contributing £500 to a number of charitys to support their efforts when they came to our annual Staff Awards. Altogether, these combined fundraising activities have raised an incredible £4,027.

Behind that figure are the experiences that have made the initiative meaningful. Residents have shared memories, welcomed local organisations into their homes, taken part in creative activities, enjoyed time with animals, supported community events and challenged themselves through fundraising.

There is still plenty to come throughout 2026. Fundraising activities will continue alongside visits, community events and new opportunities for residents, families and staff to get involved.

We are proud of what our homes have achieved since the initiative began in January and look forward to seeing these partnerships continue to grow throughout the rest of the year.

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There's more to come from our charity partnership journey. Looking for a care home that feels like community? We'd love to welcome you - enquire here.

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