Our History
Our story
Care South’s story is rooted in a simple belief: that older people deserve high-quality care delivered with kindness, dignity and respect. Established as a not-for-profit care provider, Care South was created to ensure that every decision, every investment and every improvement is made with residents’ wellbeing at its heart.
Based in the south of England, Care South has grown steadily over the years, guided by a clear purpose to provide outstanding care in environments where people feel safe, supported and truly at home.
A not-for-profit approach from the beginning
From the outset, Care South was founded on a not-for-profit model. This means that, unlike many providers in the care sector, Care South does not operate to generate profits for shareholders. Instead, every penny is reinvested back into care, people and places.
This approach has shaped the organisation’s growth, allowing Care South to continually invest in:
- High-quality care and staffing
- Purpose-built and thoughtfully designed homes
- Training, development and wellbeing for colleagues
- Meaningful activities and experiences for residents
By putting reinvestment at the centre of everything it does, Care South has been able to focus on long-term quality rather than short-term gain.
Growing to meet changing needs
As communities and care needs have evolved, so too has Care South. What began as a commitment to residential care has expanded to include:
- Specialist dementia care
- Nursing care
- Assisted living communities
- Care at home services
This growth has been guided by listening to residents, families and local communities, ensuring services reflect real needs and changing expectations around later-life living.
Care South now supports people across Dorset, Somerset and Devon, offering a range of care options that provide reassurance, choice and continuity.
Homes designed around people
Care South has always believed that the environment plays a vital role in wellbeing. Over the years, the organisation has invested in both the development of new homes and the careful refurbishment of existing buildings.
From modern, purpose-built care homes to character properties set within landscaped grounds, each Care South home is designed to feel welcoming, comfortable and easy to navigate. Communal spaces encourage social connection, while private rooms offer residents the dignity and familiarity of their own space.
This same thoughtful approach has extended into assisted living developments, allowing people to live independently with support available when needed.
A commitment to dementia care
Care South has built a strong reputation for supporting people living with dementia. Specialist environments, trained teams and person-centred approaches help residents live well, maintain independence and feel understood.
Dementia care at Care South focuses on:
- Individual life histories and preferences
- Consistent, familiar teams
- Calm, supportive surroundings
- Meaningful daily activities
This commitment continues to shape how homes are designed and how care is delivered.
Investing in people and communities
Care South’s history is also a story about people. The organisation places great importance on recruiting, training and supporting compassionate teams who share its values.
Alongside providing care, Care South plays an active role in local communities, building partnerships, creating employment and opening homes to families, schools, volunteers and community groups.
By working closely with communities, Care South homes become places of connection rather than isolation.
Looking to the future
Today, Care South continues to grow with purpose. New developments, including care villages and assisted living communities, reflect a forward-looking approach that recognises the changing needs of older people and their families.
While the organisation continues to evolve, its founding principles remain unchanged:
- Care delivered with kindness and respect
- Decisions made in the best interests of residents
- Reinvestment to support long-term quality
- Strong relationships with families and communities
Care South’s history is one of steady growth, thoughtful development and a deep commitment to helping people live well, whatever stage of life they are in.
Latest news and updates
Summer Fayre at Maiden Castle House
Summer Fayre at Fairlawn
Big Band & BBQ at Beauchamp House
Summer Fayre at Dorset House
Summer Fayre at Castle Dene
Summer Fayre at Buxton House
⚽🌍 You're Invited to the Dorset House Summer Fayre! 🌍⚽
Join us for a World Cup-themed afternoon packed with football fun, live entertainment and community spirit at Dorset House!
Here's what's in store:
⚽ Football games hosted by AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust
🍔 Delicious food from Bert's Burger Bar
🎵 Live singing entertainment
🛍️ Community stalls
🎉 Fun for all ages
Whether you're visiting loved ones, looking for a family day out or exploring care options for yourself or a loved one, everyone is warmly welcome.
📅 Friday 17 July 2026
🕑 2:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Dorset House, Coles Avenue, Hamworthy, Poole, BH15 4HL
Facebook Event: fb.me/e/4G26zHSuy
Find out more: www.care-south.co.uk/event/?id=37
Come along and enjoy an afternoon of Food, Fun and Friendship with our residents, families and local community. We look forward to seeing you there! 💙
#FoodFunFriendship #SummerFayre #DorsetHouse #CareSouth #Hamworthy #Poole #WorldCup #AFCBournemouthCommunitySportsTrust #FamilyFun #CommunityEvent
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☀️🍔 What a fantastic way to celebrate Care Home Open Week at Buxton House! 🎶💙
Residents, families and members of our local community came together for a wonderful summer garden barbecue, enjoying an afternoon full of Food, Fun and Friendship.
Our Home Manager, Lauren, took to the barbecue to cook delicious burgers and sausages for everyone, while refreshing ice creams and lollies helped keep guests cool in the sunshine. 🍦🌭
The highlight of the afternoon was the fantastic live entertainment from our very own Ewa, whose wonderful singing had everyone clapping along, singing their favourite songs and tapping their feet. 🎤🎵
Care Home Open Week is all about opening our doors to the community, bringing people together and giving visitors the opportunity to experience life at Buxton House. It was wonderful to welcome so many families, friends and local people to share such a special afternoon with us.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success. We loved spending the afternoon with you all! 💙
Read More: www.care-south.co.uk/buxton-house-brings-community-together-for-summer-barbecue-during-care-home-...
#buxtonhouse #CareSouth #CareHomeOpenWeek #FoodFunFriendship #community #Weymouth #CareHomeLife #makingmemories #summerbbq #lifeatbuxtonhouse 🌞
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🦙💙 Special visitors brought plenty of smiles to Dorset House! 💙🦙
Residents recently enjoyed a wonderful visit from Wendy at Alpaca Adventure, who introduced everyone to two very friendly alpacas, Sox and Alfie.
The gentle duo made their way around the home, visiting residents in the lounges and bedrooms, ensuring everyone had the chance to meet them. Residents loved learning more about the alpacas, asking Wendy lots of questions about how they are cared for and enjoying the opportunity to gently stroke their incredibly soft necks.
Animal visits are always a highlight at Dorset House, encouraging conversation, sparking happy memories and bringing moments of comfort, laughter and connection to our residents.
A huge thank you to Wendy, Sox and Alfie for such a memorable afternoon. We can't wait to welcome you back again soon! 🦙😊
#CareSouth #DorsetHouse #FoodFunFriendship #AnimalTherapy #AlpacaAdventure #CareHomeActivities #MakingMemories 💙
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🏅💙 Ready, set... go! 💙🏅
Residents at Wickmeads recently enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of fun and laughter as children from Cranleigh Lodge Nursery visited the home for a special intergenerational Sports Day.
The Stour Lounge was transformed into a sporting arena as residents and children took part in bean bag challenges, obstacle races and plenty of singing and dancing together. 🎶🏃♀️
There were some impressive sporting performances too! 👏 Stuart scored top marks in the bean bag challenge by landing every throw through the target, while Sadie wasn't far behind with her fantastic aim.
The obstacle course proved to be a firm favourite, with lots of laughter as the children climbed through hoops and ducked under noodles. Pat kept everyone on their toes by playfully moving the noodle at just the right moment, while Sheila cheered every child on with a huge smile. 😊
To finish the afternoon, every child was declared a winner before completing a special lap of honour around the lounge, receiving a well-deserved round of applause from all of our residents. 🏅
A huge thank you to the wonderful children and team from Cranleigh Lodge Nursery for bringing so much energy, laughter and happiness to Wickmeads. Days like these remind us just how special intergenerational friendships can be. 💙
Read More: www.care-south.co.uk/wickmeads-residents-turn-back-the-clock-during-joyful-intergenerational-spor...
#Wickmeads #CareSouth #FoodFunFriendship #Intergenerational #SportsDay #MakingMemories #CareHomeLife #Community #Bournemouth #LifeAtWickmeads 🏃♂️🌟
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☀️💙 What a fantastic day at our St Ives House Summer Fayre! 💙☀️
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of Food, Fun and Friendship as we celebrated our annual Summer Fayre in the sunshine.
Residents, relatives, friends, colleagues and members of the local community enjoyed a wonderful afternoon filled with live entertainment from the talented Singing Sweethearts, a delicious BBQ, plenty of dancing, our ever-popular raffle and lots of fantastic stalls.
We're especially proud to share that, thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised an amazing £980 for Parkinson's UK, our residents' chosen Charity of the Year for 2026. Every donation will help support the charity's invaluable work for people living with Parkinson's and their families.
Thank you to everyone who came along, volunteered, donated prizes and helped make the day such a memorable success. It was wonderful to see our community come together and create so many smiles.
#CareSouth #StIvesHouse #FoodFunFriendship #SummerFayre #Community #Fundraising #ParkinsonsUK 💙🌞🎶🍔🎟️
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🌞🍔 What a fantastic afternoon at Elizabeth House! 🎶💙
Recently, our residents, families and colleagues came together for a wonderful Summer Picnic, packed with delicious food, fun games, music and plenty of laughter.
Our Activities Lead, Mirela, served up a tasty BBQ, while our amazing Head Chef Olha and Kitchen Assistant Guy prepared a fantastic buffet that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. 🍔🥗
There was no shortage of dancing either, as Angus kept everyone entertained with live music throughout the afternoon. Resident Ruby wowed us all with her brilliant dance moves, encouraging others to join her on the dance floor! 💃🎤
The afternoon also included a very special surprise, as our Home Manager, Donna, presented Kelly, one of our wonderful Night Care Assistants, with the Employee of the Month Award in recognition of her dedication, compassion and hard work. Congratulations, Kelly! 👏💙
And, of course, no Elizabeth House celebration would be complete without a bit of fancy dress! 🎭 Our team certainly embraced the fun, helping to create an afternoon full of smiles, laughter and unforgettable memories.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for another fantastic example of Food, Fun and Friendship at Elizabeth House.
Read More: www.care-south.co.uk/elizabeth-house-picnic-brings-residents-families-and-staff-together-for-a-da...
#ElizabethHouse #CareSouth #FoodFunFriendship #summerpicnic #employeeofthemonth #makingmemories #CareHomeLife #poole #community #LifeAtCareSouth ☀️💙
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☀️💙 What a fantastic afternoon at Beauchamp House! 💙☀️
On Saturday 20 June, our residents, their families and members of the local community enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in the sunshine as we welcomed the brilliant Wellington Majorettes to Beauchamp House.
The talented performers wowed everyone with their colourful routines before inviting our residents to join in the fun! Armed with pom poms, residents took part in their own routines, while others enjoyed playing musical instruments and singing along. 🎶✨
After the entertainment, everyone gathered together in the garden for a delicious afternoon tea, chatting, laughing and making the most of the beautiful weather.
A huge thank you to the Wellington Majorettes for bringing so much energy, joy and smiles to our home. It was a truly memorable afternoon and a perfect example of Food, Fun and Friendship in action. 💙
Read More: www.care-south.co.uk/beauchamp-house-welcomes-wellington-majorettes-for-a-joyful-summer-afternoon/
#BeauchampHouse #CareSouth #FoodFunFriendship #wellingtonmajorettes #community #CareHomeLife #makingmemories #somerset #afternoontea #lifeatbeauchamphouse
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🎺🔥 You're Invited to Big Band & BBQ at Beauchamp House! 🔥🎺
Join us for a wonderful afternoon of live music, great food and family fun at Beauchamp House!
Bring your friends and family along to enjoy:
🎶 Live music from Taunton Concert Band
🦙 Meet the friendly Stokewood Alpacas
🍔 Delicious BBQ (just £2 per person)
🌳 Beautiful gardens and a warm community atmosphere
Whether you're visiting loved ones, considering care for yourself or a family member, or simply looking for a fantastic local event, everyone is warmly welcome.
📅 Sunday 12 July 2026
🕐 1:00pm – 3:30pm
📍 Beauchamp House, Hatch Beauchamp, Taunton, TA3 6SG
Come along and experience an afternoon of Food, Fun and Friendship with our residents, families and local community. We can't wait to welcome you! 💜
Facebook Event: fb.me/e/9Rm8MgVMZ
Find out more: www.care-south.co.uk/event/?id=32
#FoodFunFriendship #BigBandBBQ #BeauchampHouse #CareSouth #Taunton #Somerset #CommunityEvent #LiveMusic #FamilyFun #Alpacas
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Care South Insights
Our bi-annual guide for local communities, sharing who we are and offering helpful information and tips for those considering care for themselves or a loved one.