MHA
late 1940s

Our story

Celebrating our milestones from the last 80 years. 1943 to present day.

Our timeline to becoming the largest charity care provider in Britain

1943
Revd Walter Hall

MHA founded by Rev Walter Hall and the Methodist Church as an independent charity to provide care, support and accommodation for older people in need.

1945
late 1940s

MHA’s first residential care home MHA Ryelands in Wallington opened to improve the quality of life for older people.

1950s
day trip - late 1960s-early 1970s

A steady stream of residential homes were opened in the South East, the Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

1977
MHA care home kitchen mid 1970s

Housing services established offering sheltered accommodation for rent away.

1988
MHA Activities

First MHA Communities group set up providing support to older people in their homes, through volunteers.

1989
MHA Trembaths Care Home exterior

MHA’s first specialist nursing care home built, founded on MHA’s principles of privacy, dignity, independence and well-being.

1990
MHA Epworth House Derby

Epworth House, MHA's new Head Office is opened in central Derby.

1997
MHA Dementia Care Services

Dementia specialist care delivered in purpose-built care homes, focussing on the person and their individual needs.

2000
Norah Bellot Care Home Library

Retirement living with care services established combining self-contained accommodation with care and support.

2004
MHA Mickle Hill

Community services set up to provide MHA’s dementia care to people living in their own homes.

2007
reflexologist giving a foot massage

MHA introduces reflexology training for members of staff, enabling them to become qualified reflexologists to enhance care and well-being for residents in several homes. The first three groups begin their courses, to qualify in 2008.

2008
Woman plays a note on the Casio keyboard and the key lights up

MHA employs its first in-house Music Therapist, to provide support for residents with dementia.

2010
Bradley Court - residents singing session with chaplain

Big Lottery Reaching Community Fund enables MHA to develop further a music therapy service with £302,000.

2012
Laing and Buisson Award Independent Healthcare Winner 2012

MHA wins Best Residential Care Provider at the Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Awards, and also the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award.

2013
Woman in a mobility scooter

MHA celebrates its Platinum Anniversary.

2015
music therapy award 2015

Our music therapy team win the Excellence in Dementia Care Laing & Buisson Award in recognition of their specialised therapeutic care, dedication and research.

2016
Emmerdale ITV Ashley

MHA selected by ITV to guide the award-winning dementia story line on Emmerdale.

2017
MHA Chaplaincy - person holding a cross on Palm Sunday

MHA's Chaplaincy team has scooped the 3rd Sector Care award for its work on end of life care.

2018
MHA celebrates 75 year anniversary

MHA celebrates 75 years of bringing quality to later life.

2018
Emmerdales John Middleton open MHA Montpellier Manor

Emmerdale star John Middleton cut the ribbon on MHA's 90th care home, Montpellier Manor.

2019
Methodist Central Hall, London

MHA hosted it’s first Walter Hall lecture named after our founder Rev Walter Hall. The annual lectures are designed to focus attention on the complex and pressing needs facing older people.

2019
oneMHA Strategy diagram

Launch of the OneMHA strategy for 2019-2022 with the aim to bring or services together to further enhance the support we offer to older people in Britain.

2020
Chaplain talking with nurse

MHA response to Covid-19 and the launch of Digital Communities. As our community groups were no longer able to meet in-person, our activities went online to provide continuing support to people in their own homes.

2021
FixCareForAll Chaplain and Resident

The launch of our first campaigning effort, Fix Care For All. The campaign called for adult social care to be a national priority in the Government’s coronavirus recovery programme.

2022
A plateful of chocolate cream cakes at the MHA Communi-tea party

Launch of our Communi-tea party. Our national fundraising event bringing people tea-gether! MHA Pennystone Court won a National Dementia Award for Best Dementia Care Home in the UK – a great achievement for the team.

2022
MHA fundraising at a public event

Launched our revised strategy for 2022-2025: The Road Ahead based on how we’re moving forward from the Covid-19 pandemic and to best position us to enable people to live later life well.

Over 80 years of care

In 1943 Walter Hall founded MHA as an independent charity with a vision to provide care, support and accommodation for older people in need. The MHA we now know and love has grown and evolved from what was a pioneering small charity, but it still prides itself on those founding principles that the Rev Walter Hall held so dear.

A group of people with their hands together

Care and support across England and Wales

Today, MHA continues to provide care, accommodation and support to older people across England and Wales thanks to the commitment and dedication of its 6,500 colleagues and 3,000 volunteers.

Learn more about MHA

Your life with MHA

Domestic assistant wearing pink uniform making a bed in a care home

Our high standards

We’re dedicated to providing some of the highest quality care and support to older people across England and Wales, and are proud that our commitment is recognised and reflected in our independent care inspection reports.

More about our high standards
carehome.co.uk top 20 group logo 2024

We're a Top 20 care home group

We were are delighted to be well-recognised as one of the best care providers in the UK according to the leading care home review site, carehome.co.uk who have announced MHA as a Top 20 care home group. It is a real testament to our dedicated colleagues.

More about our Top 20 status
a caregiver interacting with an elderly man in a comfortable indoor setting using a tiny tablet

Our dedicated activities co-ordinators

We are proud that all homes have an activities co-ordinator who makes sure that the home is offering different types of engagement for you to enjoy: fulfilling the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of our residents.

More about our activities co-ordinators
Resident with chef

Chef prepared meals

We’re dedicated to providing high quality, freshly cooked meals, balanced menus, a range of choice and the highest food safety standards to our residents.

More about meals at MHA
A female care home resident laughing outside with a care worker

Your safety is our priority

When choosing an MHA care home, you can be sure of our dedication to protecting residents, caring for each individual in a safe and secure environment which is tailored to their personal needs.

More about safety at MHA
Two men stroking a black Labrador dog

Our tailored dementia care

We're passionate about providing exceptional support for people living with dementia, their family and friends.

More about our specialist dementia care
Joyful Seniors Enjoying Ice Cream on a Sunny Day

Keeping you connected

We recognise the health and fulfilment benefits of keeping in touch with your loved ones so we actively encourage this across our care homes in ways which suit you.

More about staying connected
Chaplaincy roles

Chaplaincy & spiritual support

We're proud to provide all our residents with pastoral care through our dedicated chaplaincy services. We place great importance on nurturing the mind, body and spirit of those we care for, their families and our colleagues of all faiths and none.

More about chaplaincy & spirituality
An older care home resident using a VR headset

Seize The Day programme

Whether you've always wanted to ride a white knuckle roller coaster, enjoy a former pastime, or simply visiting a location that holds special memories, with MHA’s unique Seize The Day initiative almost anything is possible.

More about Seize The Day
MHA Chaplaincy - person holding a cross on Palm Sunday

Compassionate end of life care

At MHA, we are here to ensure your loved one lives as comfortably as possible by managing their physical discomfort, delivering emotional, psychological and spiritual care, all while offering round-the-clock practical support.

More about end of life care