On September 3rd 2021 Community Care Options celebrates 30 years of supporting adults with learning disabilities in Bolton. As with any business established for a number of years there have been many changes but we are incredibly proud to still be supporting adults with a range of disabilities in the Bolton community.
The History of Community Care Options
Community Care Options was founded by Ray Bates and the late John Seddon on behalf of a group of parents of disabled children. They were all members of Bolton Handicapped Action Group which was formed in 1986 to improve the care and welfare of people with disabilities.
Community Care Options is a not-for-profit company with charitable status, and has board members who are both Directors and Trustees. In the early days both John and Ray received a great deal of support from the late Peter Thurnham, the MP for Bolton North, who arranged a visit to Westminster for a meeting with Stephen Dorell, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Health, to discuss their plans for health and social care.
At the launch of the company Ray and John were surprised and overjoyed to be approached by Tom Taylor, Chairman of the Local Health Authority, and Councillor Betty Hamer who invited the company to open a nursing home to support six people with learning disabilities who were leaving a secure unit. The home, previously known as Moss Nook, was refurbished and re-named Grosvenor House and in 1994 was opened by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Tom Anderton.
In 2012 Darren Court opened. This purpose built supported living facility is named after Ray’s son and Community Care Options were consulted at the design and build stage. The six residents at Grosvenor House moved to Darren Court where they each have their own self contained flat as well as enjoying a communal lounge and kitchen. In 2012 the charity also started to provide community care and now supports over 35 people, with various disabilities, living in their own home.
Community Care Options has extensive experience with people who have a wide range of learning disabilities, people who challenge services, and people with a range of other disabilities. The company is aware that activities play an important part of life development and, through a team of dedicated and empathetic staff, provide support to enable clients to enjoy outings and social activities.
Thirty years later Ray Bates, who remains CEO of Community Care Options, has seen many changes to social care but remains true to his aim to raise the profile of disabled people and their needs in society. On the 30th anniversary Ray expressed his gratitude to John’s wife Isabel Seddon, retired MP Dr Brian Iddon, and Bob Bradley who were long standing members of the board of trustees and whose commitment to Community Care Options contributed to the success of the Charity.
Community Care Options 