Our History
Horsfall House has a very special history for the people of Minchinhampton. The home is a true accolade to its people: the product of many years of passionate and dedicated fundraising by a local community who value the importance of maintaining a place devoted to the welfare and best possible care of the older generation.
The need for a good care system for the elderly in Minchinhampton and the immediate locality was first realised in the early 80s, and the charity, Minchinhampton Centre for the Elderly (MCE) was founded. Initially it was just a day centre, set up in the common room of a local sheltered housing unit, it was run three times a week by a qualified nurse with the help of local volunteers.
The day centre quickly highlighted the value of community support for the elderly and Dr.Chris Booth had the idea of building a dedicated day centre with residential nursing provision. Ambitious fundraising began for the project and along with generous donations and an enormous amount of hard work and dedication by many local residents Horsfall House was officially opened in 1994. The home, built on land donated by Miss Jean Horsfall, initially provided day care for up to 20 people and residential nursing care for 22 physically infirm and 8 people with severe memory problems.
Following several extensions to the original building Horsfall House now boasts a total of 44 nursing beds; 22 for the physically infirm in the General Unit (now known as the Gatcombe Unit) and 22 in the Cotswold Unit providing care for those with dementia and severe memory problems. As well as the nursing home our busy day centre offers social and physical activities six days a week and we also have Home Care offices managing top quality care for those still living in their own homes, including a meals on wheels service locally.
In 2024, MCE and it’s operating subsidiary, MCEL merged into a new charity format known as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and officially and legally became ‘Horsfall House’. Oversight of the charity continues under the guidance of its volunteer Board of Trustees with the daily running of it led by our Nursing Services Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Fundraising is overseen by our Fundraising and Engagement Officer with the support of the volunteer Community Fundraisers who work hard raising money for Horsfall House. The existence and continuance of Horsfall House, and all it offers, is largely due to the on going generosity of the people of Minchinhampton and surrounding Communities who support the home in many different ways.
Horsfall House is also extremely fortunate to have HRH The Princess Royal as our patron. She too has supported the home in numerous ways since it was first opened and her continued patronage is greatly appreciated.