Our founders Brian and Margaret Westlake joined the care sector in 1988 with a vision to provide community and residential care services for older people based on family values.
As Brian celebrates his 80th birthday, he takes a moment to reflect on his incredible journey in the care industry and the evolution of Altogether Care over the years.
“As I sit down to reflect on the remarkable journey of Altogether Care over the past 36 years, I am filled with both pride and gratitude for all that we have achieved together. When Margaret and I first ventured into the care sector in 1988, we had a simple vision: to create a nursing home that embodied family values and provided the best possible care for older people. Little did we know then how this small beginning would evolve into a respected and thriving care provider across the southwest of England and beyond.”
Humble Beginnings and Early Challenges
“Our journey began with the opening of Weymouth Care Home at 23 Glendinning Avenue. We had no background in care, no clear understanding of the challenges ahead, and certainly no idea of the personal sacrifices needed. But we trusted our instincts and believed we could offer something better for the aging population, then known as Baby Boomers.
It wasn’t long before we faced our first major challenge. The tough economic reforms of the late 1980s hit us hard, with soaring interest rates pushing our builders into administration, disrupting our planned refurbishments, and building work. Financially, we were stretched to the limit, but through sheer determination, we managed to open Weymouth Care Home in 1988.
Operating the home was a steep learning curve for the whole family —we lived on-site, filled in wherever needed, working day and night. Despite the challenges, we made the home a success, with a great deal of help from Janet Carter RGN, our first Matron who joined us in 1989. The experience we gained was invaluable as we began to expand into a small care home group of four homes with a joint capacity of 103 beds.”
Navigating Industry Changes and New Opportunities
“As we grew, I became increasingly involved in care sector leadership, eventually helping to form the Dorset Care Association, and becoming a member of the London Care Alliance. These experiences allowed us to stay ahead of industry trends and prepare for significant changes in the care landscape. One such change came with the Community Care Act of 1993, which shifted the focus from fitting people into existing care services to tailoring services around individual needs.
Initially, this challenged our residential care model, but we soon recognised the opportunity to diversify. In 2002we launched Care Wey—Care at Home—with Margaret as our first care worker. It was the best decision we ever made. From those early days, Altogether Care has grown into a trusted market leader, providing tens of thousands of care visits per week across hospitals, local authorities, and private clients.”
Embracing Innovation and Technology
“As we expanded, we have always recognised the importance of embracing technological advancements to support our services. We’ve put in place a digital landscape and IT applications that meet the needs of the business today and, importantly, prepare us for tomorrow. Our commitment to innovation was recently recognised when Altogether Care was nominated for a digital innovation award—a testament to how far we’ve come since our humble paper-based beginnings.”
Adapting to a Changing Care Environment
“While community care has become more prominent, there remains a vital need for supported living, residential, and nursing care. However, the current funding challenges have impacted occupancy and margins, particularly in smaller homes. To adapt, we’ve made strategic decisions, including selling two of our smaller homes to create head room for new opportunities, such as expanding or acquiring larger facilities.”
Looking to the Future
“As we look to the future, I believe that technology will continue to play an increasingly significant role in care, from remote monitoring to AI-driven personalised support. Hospital-at-home services will become more common, requiring our teams to continually upskill. Despite these changes, the essence of Altogether Care remains the same—it’s the dedicated care and support staff and managers that share our original vison who make this company what it is. Our success is built on their dedication, I and the next generation of family members who work in the business are committed to supporting them in every way possible.
The history and culture of Altogether Care reflect our deep passion for what we do and the pride we feel in making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Our commitment has always been fuelled by this passion and the impact we have on those we care for. As I look back on our journey, I am confident in our future. I am certain that as we evolve and grow, we will stay true to our values and continue providing exceptional care for many years to come.”
Dementia is increasingly something more people are having to learn how to live with, affecting individuals and caregivers alike. The theme of Alzheimer’s Month 2023 attempts to underline the notion that dementia doesn’t necessarily have to be an inevitable consequence of ageing.
An active social life, physical exercise and a good diet are the building blocks of good mental and physical well-being. Altogether Care puts a lot of emphasis on these factors in all of our care homes, and not just for people receiving specialist dementia care.
Sherborne House
