In 1980, a simple act of compassion and duty laid the cornerstone for what would eventually become a beacon of care and support for countless individuals in Somerset.
Back then, Les White had no idea his decision to provide a home for his wife’s elderly aunt who could no longer look after herself, would plant the seeds for a much larger family undertaking.
More than three decades on, and now headed by his grandson Philip, that humble beginning has blossomed into a local care home group that oversees the wellbeing of 100 people.
From the initial vision of providing a home for one elderly relative, the family has established three care homes providing residential care, dementia care and nursing care.
Les White, a well-known Somerset businessman, and his builder son David established their first care home, St Benedicts, in Glastonbury in 1984.
Determined to ensure the success of their venture, the pair used their own homes as collateral to purchase St Benedict’s, an old vicarage, from the Church of England.
Over the next decade David extended the 100-year-old building to provide residential, nursing and dementia care for 60 people within two neighbouring units.
In 1989, David bought a second care home, St Cecilia Care Home in Shepton Mallet, which provides care for up to 17 people.
Grandson, Philip, joined the family care business in 2003 after taking his A-Levels. He started in the kitchen washing dishes and gradually worked his way up to operations manager.
Keen to expand the business, Philip, who when he is not working plays golf for Somerset and the South West of England, oversaw the purchase of The Rectory care home in Taunton in 2017.
The property was refurbished from top to bottom, bringing the facility up to date to provide a safe and comfortable home for up to 25 people.
All three of the White Care Group’s homes are strategically situated in the heart of their communities, close to local amenities like cafes, churches, shops, and doctors’ surgeries.
Forty years after founding St Benedicts, White Care Group now employs 150 people across its care homes, many of whom have worked together for years.
The operation continues to be family-run; David White is still actively involved in the business with Philip’s brother-in-law, William, joining the company as deputy operation’s manager in 2017.
Looking ahead, Philip hopes to establish one or two additional care homes should the opportunity arise but is keen to maintain the essence of a family business.
He remains firm in the belief that White Care Group’s homes should remain deeply rooted in the local communities they serve.
Most importantly, they should retain the family ethos and feel and provide a home from home environment which feels relaxed, comfortable and nurturing.
Les White passed away in 2019 with his life coming full circle after spending some time as a resident at St. Benedicts, the very care home that he had helped to create.