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Friends Voices

Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949

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Ellesmere Community Care Centre League of Friends

Ellesmere, Shropshire

A photograph of a group of volunteers standing in front of the charity shop

Formed in 1971, Ellesmere Community Care Centre League of Friends raises funds to enable improvements to be made to the then Ellesmere Cottage Hospital, including building extension work and the provision of equipment. In 1990, the Cottage Hospital was closed and the League set about raising £250,000 to purchase the building from the NHS. Once the building had been purchased the League raised a further £450,000 to convert and expand the first floor into a registered nursing home. The Friends went on to raise over £700,000 to provide and equip the nursing home for the people of Ellesmere. The Friends continued to fundraise for the nursing home over the subsequent years, until 2017 when the home eventually closed. Although disrupted by Covid in 2020/21, the League of Friends shop continues to flourish and raise funds for the Ellesmere Community Care Centre Trust

1971

The League of Friends was established. Financial support from members of the newly formed League enable improvements to be made to the cottage hospital including building work and new equipment

1987

A time of NHS reorganisation, Shropshire District Health Authority was committed to building a District General Hospital in Telford and proposed to close 10 cottage hospitals, including Ellesmere. Following a major community campaign a reprieve seemed to be possible. However, in spite of this and with the League of Friends stressing the need for a hospital in Ellesmere, the cottage hospital closed in 1990.

1991

League of Friends members, led by Mrs Olga Cureton, were determined that a health care provision was needed and began the process of raising funds to enable the purchase of the cottage hospital building and following prolonged negotiations eventually agreed a price of £250,000 to purchase the building.

1993

After a two year fundraising drive and with the help and support of local organisations and individuals the target was achieved and the Ellesmere Community Care Centre Trust was formed and they took ownership of the building.

1995

The ground floor became a Day Centre, managed by the local council social services and the upper floor a Community Nursing Home. The League appealed to the local community for help to reach their target of £350,000 to enable the renovation of the Nursing Home and in July 95 the nursing home opened with 7 beds for the local community.

2017

The nursing home was a great success until 2017, when despite on-going financial support from the League and generous bequests, the rising cost of care meant that the home closed

2023

Ellesmere Community Care Centre remains under the ownership of the Trust. The trustees value and celebrate the determination of the volunteer members of the League of Friends throughout the years, together with the people of Ellesmere for their ongoing generous financial support. The Friends celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2023.

2024

The Friends were named as the 2024 local Community Champions.

Stories from Ellesmere Community Care Centre League of Friends

"I feel the League of Friends need me, but I need the League of Friends as much as that."

Listen 00:07:19

Story: Sue Francis - Ellesmere, West Midlands