Ivybridge site to be bought back after it was sold four years ago

A charity that was forced to sell an Ivybridge site in 2019 has revealed it will be buying it back. One of the UK’s oldest charities, The Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, had to sell the site in 2019.

Although the Trust says that for a number of years it has faced an uncertain future, it has now announced it has secured funding to buy back its site at Ivybridge. In 2019 the Trust closed the school and had to sell all its assets to ensure it was able to maintain its residential care services for disabled young people across the South West.

Now, it has embarked on a programme of rebuilding and refurbishing its premises - and while the school is no longer there, all the buildings on the site have continued to be used with over 30 young adults living there and using the facilities..

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The Chair of the Trust, Professor David Coslett, recently told staff: “I am delighted to share the news that Dame Hannahs has regained ownership of our site. Through securing funding for the purchase of the freehold we are back in control of our own future and success. It is heartwarming to see this turnaround of the Trust.”

The Trust employs nearly 200 staff at its Ivybridge site and more in its charity shops in Devon and Cornwall and has volunteers and supporters across the region. Mary West has been a volunteer for the charity for 30 years and regularly does fundraising for Dame Hannahs.

She said: “I have really enjoyed being part of the Dame Hannahs family and getting to know many volunteers, staff and young adults over the years. It is wonderful to see the help and care they give to the young adults who live as independently as they can in the bungalows.

"When I first became a volunteer there was nowhere for these young people to go after leaving school and many ended up in institutions which were quite unsuitable for the needs of a teenager or young adult. It’s very rewarding raising funds for this very deserving charity as well as making great friends with all the other lovely volunteers.”

Anna from Somerset whose son Oliver is a resident at Dame Hannahs spoke of her delight that the charity now has a stable future.

“Dame Hannahs has changed our lives over the past 12 years. Knowing that Oliver is in an environment that offers 24-hour care and nursing input as well as on-site therapy has allowed us to live a more normal life with our younger son, and I have been able to work part-time. It means that when Oliver comes home once a month we are able to fully focus on him and can really enjoy our time with him.”

Professor Coslett, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, acknowledged there were times over the past few years when the charity had considered merging with other organisations, or even contemplated whether it could continue at all.

“We were having to make difficult decisions – and on top of that we faced the challenge of the pandemic. We were fortunate to have the support of the Edward Gostling Foundation, our landlords at the time, support from commissioners and central government for the essential care services we provide as well as benefitting from the swift action of Plymouth City Council which provided rebates and grant support for our shops.

"This meant we were able to survive a very difficult time. Our staff were the true heroes in the way they responded to an unprecedented situation.”

The Trust says it is now looking forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary in Ivybridge, with plans for further growth which will safeguard the Dame Hannah Rogers legacy for generations to come.