Ashberry Healthcare, a boutique care provider focused on small community living, has acquired Engelberg Care Home in Wolverhampton from Methodist Homes (MHA), a charity providing care for older people in the UK. Financing was provided by Barclays.

Engelberg Care Home provides residential care for 34 residents. Employees at the home will transfer by TUPE to Ashberry Healthcare.

Ashberry Healthcare operates six other care homes in Surrey, Herefordshire, Cheshire and Carmarthenshire, providing residential, nursing and specialist dementia care services.

Engleberg is the first acquisition by Ashberry Healthcare since its management buyout in 2020, led by chief executive Nigel Denny and chief finance officer, Gary Cottrell.

Having restructured its original portfolio, Ashberry Healthcare is now looking to grow and is seeking more acquisition opportunities. Its model focuses on period properties and country houses, with around 40 bedrooms offering smaller community living, with a focus on residential and nursing care.

Denny said: “Today marks another milestone for Ashberry Healthcare as we welcome Engelberg into our family of homes. Engelberg and its care team have a great reputation and have built strong connections with residents and the local community.

“We are looking forward to building on this with a focus on our community-centric, small group living model that offers something different to the local market for those individual’s seeking the camaraderie, empowerment and independence that a smaller home can offer.

“We’re looking forward to meeting everyone connected to Engelberg and hope this is the first of several acquisitions over the coming years as we continue to build our portfolio. We also want to thank our financing partner, Barclays Bank, who have been tremendously supportive of our development plan.”

MHA’s chief executive Sam Monaghan commented: “We are delighted that Engelberg care home will pass into the hands of Ashberry Healthcare, where we know residents and the team which cares for them will be well looked after.”