Business Elite Awards 2025 / 50 SME News Q4 2025/ 14 A Beautiful Care Home in the Countryside The place where care meets caring, Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home in Barley, Hertfordshire, is a family-run care home set in two acres of beautiful grounds and housed in a peaceful village. Well established in the local community as a result of it being founded back in 1971, the legacy Margaret House boasts is just one of the reasons behind its recognition here as the Best Family-Operated Dementia Care Home 2025 – Hertfordshire. Samantha Adby, Margaret House’s Home Services Manager, told us how it sets the gold standard for care homes in the region. When the Kelly Family opened Margaret House almost 55 years ago, the aim was simply to provide impeccable care to every resident, treating them all as if they were a beloved member of their own family. Whilst a lot has changed over the past five decades – ownership is now into the second generation of the Kelly Family – one thing that has not changed is this ethos, which ensures that the happiness and wellbeing of the residents take priority. This all starts with the provision of 24/7 residential and dementia care for elderly individuals in the area. Personalising its care to the requirements of every individual, Margaret House is proud to offer respite and convalescence stays as well as permanent, long-term care for those in need. Regardless of the duration of a stay, the team here specialise in care with a luxury touch, leading to many seeing the property as their ‘home away from home’. Friends and relatives are welcome at all times and can stay for lunch or dinner, as well as participate in any of the wellbeing-focused activities that take place across the home daily. “We provide heartfelt, person-centred support that celebrates individuality and enhances quality of life.” The dedication to providing residents with an active, fulfilling life is something the team here do not take lightly, recognising just how big the decision to move into care is for an individual and their family. It is for this reason that every area covered by the dedicated team, from housekeeping to catering, is subject to the high standards and pursuit of ‘everyday excellence’ that has defined Margaret House now since the days when classic rock ‘n’ roll still ruled the airwaves. Nowhere are these high standards better seen than across the variety of facilities encompassed within Margaret House, including a café area, a hair salon and nail bar, a social hub, a skype lounge, a conservatory/atrium, assisted bath/shower rooms, and the lovely one and a half acres of garden surrounding residents on all sides. Alongside these spaces, provisions including a breakfast that is prepared freshly to order, daily afternoon tea, and even flat-screen TVs and in-room Wi-Fi further boost Margaret House’s premium status. Of course, all of these provisions would be nothing without the dedicated team members behind them ensuring that every resident's individual needs are taken care of on a daily basis. The blend of younger and more seasoned talent across these staff is another distinguishing point, with this dynamic mix ensuring a modern approach but one that is underpinned by decades of first-hand experience from people working at the top of this game. This even extends beyond care itself, with Catering Manager John having previously operated three local, ‘foodie’ pubs. As a result, John and the rest of the team not only deliver fresh, nutritious, tasty meals made with high-quality ingredients all year round, they also partner up with Social and Wellbeing Manager Lea-Ann Smith to organise food-themed events on special occasions. These include BBQs, ‘Pie and a Pint’ days, as well as big celebrations for Christmas, Easter, and the very popular monthly supper club. The synergy present across these two managers is just the tip of the iceberg and is conducive to an atmosphere of collaboration and alignment running throughout this care home. “We work together as one team, staff and management, creating a supportive, positive environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.” It is also thanks to the team here that the property itself – which is made up of a former rectory as well as an adjacent, purpose-built wing, giving a total of 43 mostly en-suite bedrooms – is constantly undergoing decoration and refurbishment. The latest room to receive this treatment was the lounge, which one resident even said was so impressive that it should be entered into a local or national competition as the best care home lounge! Whilst we cannot comment on the lounge in particular, we are delighted to crown Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home the Best Family-Operated Dementia Care Home 2025 – Hertfordshire, celebrating the family values it continues to uphold. Contact: Samantha Adby Company: Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home Web Address: https://margarethouse.co.uk/
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==