A leading Midlands law firm has helped a UK charity in a major national property deal that will mean it can reach more disabled people with vital services.
Wright Hassall has acted for charity Leonard Cheshire in the sale of 17 care homes to the leading care provider Valorum Care Group which will now run them.
The deal will allow Leonard Cheshire, which provides services and support for people living with disabilities, to expand its services in the community and to support more individuals with disabilities.
Leonard Cheshire has around 130 services across the UK, 5,000 staff and 8,500 volunteers. Founded in 1948, last year it reached more than 46,000 people through its work in the UK and internationally.
In the UK, Leonard Cheshire initially focused on residential care, but now increasingly supports disabled people in communities offering a wide range of projects that include work, training, skills and volunteering opportunities. Internationally it has supported more than 40,000 disabled children into education.
Wright Hassall, which is highly experienced in the care home sector, acted for Leonard Cheshire on the sale of the real estate while Linklaters LLP of London advised Leonard Cheshire on the business sale.
Gill Worthington, Partner at Wright Hassall said: “This sale is a really important development for Leonard Cheshire enabling them to grow their services, extend their reach and continue to provide quality care for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
“This transaction will have a significant impact on the services the charity provides and it is a privilege to have been involved in this project.”
Hugh Fenn, Leonard Cheshire’s Executive Director of UK Care Service, added: “Through this sale, we ensured the long-term future of the services and continuity of care for residents from staff they know. This was always our priority.
“The sale will result in the kind of investment at the services that we as a charity could not justify. Funds raised from the sale will be invested by Leonard Cheshire to increase the difference we make to disabled people’s lives and widen the range of support we offer in communities across the UK.”
Picture caption: Hugh Fenn, Executive Director of UK Care Service at Leonard Cheshire