Our history
Discover Staveley House
Opened in 1996 and extended in 2008, Staveley House was founded by a number of existing local societies who recognised the need for follow-on care services in the area.
The Life President of Staveley House - Ken Staveley - is the reason that the home exists today. During the early 1990’s, while in the role of Chairman of Ulverston Abbeyfield House and having been integral in the development of an extension there, he kick-started the project to build Staveley House and worked incredibly hard to get his idea off the ground.
Ken contacted local architects Craig and Green, arranging them to freely design an Extra Care property which aligned with Ken’s ‘with me in mind’ principles. After having the project endorsed by the Abbeyfield National Office and receiving endorsements from The Duke of Westminster, Lady Cavendish, and Ian Hartland (Bishop of Carlisle), Ken set about trying to secure funding and financial support to turn his idea from a dream to reality.
With funding secured by Ken from the Rotary, W.I, Regional and National Offices of Abbeyfield and other wider groups who were interested in supporting Ken’s idea, along with a generous donation in the form of a gift from the Will of Mrs Halliday of Foxfiled, Ken was able to purchase a piece of land from Barrow Town Council. This was to be the fabulous location of Staveley House, as we know it today.
With vital assistance from Bradford and Northern Housing Association, who oversaw the fundraising through the Government, Ken secured a huge grant from The Housing Corporation and raised the remaining funds locally. The total funds needed amounted to over £1.6 million, so this was no mean feat!
The first committee was formed by people from local Abbeyfield Societies and - in 1995 - The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria laid the Foundation Stone.
Staveley House opened in 1996 but was later officially opened in March 1997 by Dame Gillian Wagner, President of Abbeyfield at the time.
In 2016, a second lift was added, along with the fantastic balcony, fully equipped workshop for maintenance, and new office block which was officially opened by Lady Cavendish.
An extension for six Residents was opened in 2008 by Donald and Caroline Shaw (relatives of Mrs Bechshaw who left a substantial amount in her Will for Abbeyfield Society in the provision of new purpose-built sheltered accommodation in self-contained units for elderly people in the Cumbria area).
Every member of staff here is incredibly proud to be a part of the Staveley House story and to continue to provide the high standard of care and support that residents have come to expect from the home.
