THE future of Cotebrook House, Lymm, is now in the hands of a firm of liquidators in Manchester following the closure of the 69-year-old home on October 31.
All residents were found suitable alternative accommodation – many in the Warrington area and others closer to their families.
In a statement, the Cotebrook Management Committee said: “The committee has been totally committed to ensuring that all the residents were moved to a place where they will continue to be as happy in the future as they have been at Cotebrook.
“Their welfare has been our highest priority and over the last few months, the varying authorities have ensured that all of the residents have been moved to places which suit their needs.”
The liquidators are now attempting to sell the attractive building in Oughtrington Lane and, in line with Cotebrook’s constitution, the proceeds will go to charity. The management committee has provided the liquidators with a list of local charities they would wish to benefit.
Formerly the country home of the Dewhurst family, Cotebrook House had been a registered residential home for physically disabled adults since 1946. Some of its residents had lived there for more than 50 years.
The committee’s statement indicated a fall in the number of residents over the last couple of years who provide income to the home, coupled with rising operational costs, had led to steadily increasing and unsustainable losses.
The home had been an important part of the local community, having a strong bond with Lymm High School through student volunteers and in particular with Father Michael Burgess and Oughtrington Church.
Strawberry teas
Fund-raising activities over the years included sportsmen’s evenings at Old Trafford, music festivals and the famous strawberry teas.
The committee had sought ideas from the borough council, other organisations specialising in providing care for the physically disabled, staff, residents and their families and other long-time friends of Cotebrook.
Unfortunately, no suggestions were forthcoming which could have provided a viable and secure future for the home and its residents.
“The financial situation has, in fact, got worse this year with numbers falling. Together with this, a number of the residents were needing to move into nursing care settings for which Cotebrook is not registered with a resulting further fall in numbers.”
The majority of the residents were introduced to Cotebrook by social workers from borough councils in the North West, the key one being Warrington.
They had been very proactive in the process of re-allocating the residents to alternative suitable accommodation.
“The committee are grateful to Warrington Borough Council for their help and expertise in relocating the residents and closing the home.”
The committee paid tribute to the extremely hard working and highly professional staff, both in the home and the day centre, who had remained loyal to Cotebrook and its residents, not only during the transitional period but over many years.
“The staff have continued to provide the residents with their usual level of care and attention under extremely difficult circumstances for which the management committee truly thank them.”
The committee also expressed its “heartfelt thanks” to all the many people who had worked at Cotebrook since its inception, volunteers who had selflessly given their own time and to the various tutors, teachers, quiz masters and musicians who had all contributed to the well-being of the residents.
Finally, the staff and committee wished all residents and their families all the best for the future and hoped they settled quickly in their new homes and enjoyed their new “adventure.”
