A couple who purchased a failing care home in Surrey in 2019 have added a second property using six-figure funding from Unity Trust Bank.

Mekala and Sena Satheswaran, directors of Y&M Care, originally bought Old Wall Cottage Nursing Home in Betchworth in 2019 after the Care Quality Commission rated it Required improvement. After turning it into a Good-rated establishment, they have acquired Westcott House in neighbouring Dorking.

More than 100 staff are now employed across both homes, with Old Wall Cottage providing 36 bed spaces for dementia patients and Wescott accommodating 60 residents in need of nursing care.

Mekala said: “When we bought Old Wall Cottage we worked with healthcare consultancy Fulcrum to identify and prioritise what needed doing. We refurbished it and added more bedrooms but, as with any business, staff are your main assets and crucial to your success. We created a good working environment, invested in training and introduced competitive salaries and flexible working patterns.

“We want to make a difference to people’s lives and ensure that their later years are as comfortable and meaningful as possible, so it’s important that our bank is community-orientated and not just about the finance.”

Paul Kelly, deputy regional director at Unity Trust Bank, said: “I have worked with many specialised care home operators during my time in banking and Mekala and Sena’s commitment to improving the welfare of both their service users and employees aligns with Unity’s values.

“The operators are proactively involved with the wellbeing of the service users, their families and the wider community. Their dedication is commendable, and it is a pleasure working with them.”