Spellman Care is reflecting on a monumental 2025 as it celebrates 35 years of providing family-run care across North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. Since the group’s journey began in 1990, it has grown from a single home into a respected pillar of the community. While the group has evolved over three decades, its modern identity remains firmly rooted in its core principles of kindness, dignity, and compassion. This landmark year has been defined by award recognition, heartwarming celebrations of dedication, and a deep-seated commitment to the regions it serves.
The year began in January with a look back at the group’s 2024 successes in the local press, quickly followed by a significant community launch: the monthly Veterans’ Cafes. Hosted across all four homes, Craven Nursing Home, Ghyll Royd Care Home, Springbank Care Home, and Steeton Court Nursing Home, the cafes were designed to provide a vital social hub and combat isolation for local heroes. The initiative garnered significant attention from BBC Radio Leeds and has proved so popular that dates have already been announced for the entirety of 2026.
In February, the group’s dedication to high-quality care was recognised when Spellman Care was crowned the “Connected Care Champion” at the 2025 Champions of Care Awards. This award highlighted the group’s innovative use of digital care planning to enhance resident wellbeing and safety. During the same month, Group Operations Manager Philippa Young shared her expertise on a national level, serving as a judge for the National Great British Care Awards.
As spring arrived, March saw Ghyll Royd Care Home announced as the headline sponsor for the 2025 Guiseley Carnival, reinforcing the group’s deep local ties. In April, the group announced a new partnership with Dementia Friendly Keighley to provide essential educational talks for families and businesses. These sessions were held in May, offering vital support and guidance to the community. This month also brought a particularly poignant milestone: the 35th anniversary of Rachael Houldsworth at Steeton Court. Rachael joined the team as a secretary in 1990 before the home had even officially opened its doors, and her journey beautifully parallels the 35-year history of the group itself. May also saw the launch of a new ‘Relative Support Hub’ and moving VE Day tributes across the homes.
The summer months and early autumn focused on enhancing resident life and charitable giving. In June, a new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) was added to the fleet at Springbank to improve local outings. Throughout July, August, and September, the homes opened their doors for the 2025 Summer Fetes, bringing together residents and neighbours to raise nearly £2,000 for local charities, alongside a successful collection for the Love Grace Appeal.
The group’s specialist expertise was further validated in August and September. Spellman Care achieved re-accreditation under the Veteran Friendly Framework, while both Springbank and Ghyll Royd received Gold Standards Framework (GSF) accreditations for excellence in end-of-life care. These professional accolades were matched by local recognition, with the group being shortlisted for the Social Care Leadership Awards and the Keighley and Airedale Business Awards.
In October, the ‘Adopt a Grandfriend’ intergenerational scheme took centre stage, with a major sign-up event featured on BBC Radio Leeds. The month was also dedicated to community support, including hosting sessions on care home finances and making a donation to Airedale Hospital’s Oncology Department.
The 35th-anniversary year drew to a close with a series of celebrations. In November, Springbank Head Chef Eve Kelk was “Highly Commended” at the Great British Care Awards, while staff across the group participated in the Skipton Santa Fun Run. Finally, in December, Steeton Court took home the trophy at the annual Christmas Cake Competition, and the group celebrated the fifth anniversary of its annual Christmas Appeal, continuing its tradition of supporting the wider community during the festive season.
From its founding in 1990 to the award-winning group it is today, 2025 has been a year that honours Spellman Care’s rich history while looking firmly toward a compassionate future.
