Burnham care home founded by Sir Nicholas Winton organisation to close

A Burnham care home run as part of an organisation founded by long-time Maidonian Sir Nicholas Winton will close its doors within three months, its operator has said.

The ‘difficult decision’ to close Nicholas House will mean some job losses, the Advertiser understands, and will cause a ‘significant impact’ for elderly residents needing new accommodation by the turn of the year.

Nicholas House in Lent Rise Road opened in 2011 and is operated by Abbeyfield Society Maidenhead – a care provider for the elderly founded by the late Sir Nicholas.

A statement from the society said the decision to close Nicholas House ‘has not been taken lightly’ and had come after ‘every effort was made to secure the long-term viability of the home’.

It said: “The Trustees of Abbeyfield Maidenhead have made the very difficult decision to close Nicholas House in Burnham.

“This follows a lengthy period of financial challenges, during which every effort was made to secure the long-term viability of the home.

“Despite the dedication of staff and volunteers, Nicholas House has continued to struggle with low occupancy levels.

“Even at full capacity of 25 residents, the home would only just break even.

“Unfortunately, this means the current situation is not sustainable. “

The ‘target period’ for the closure would be within three months, the statement said, following an announcement to care home staff, residents and their families made on September 9.

The statement continued: “The trustees recognise the significant impact this closure will have on residents, families, and staff, and are committed to providing support throughout the transition period.

“Every effort will be made to ensure residents and their families are assisted in finding suitable alternative accommodation, and staff are supported during this difficult time.”

It said: “This decision has not been taken lightly and comes only after exploring every possible alternative.

“Our priority now is to ensure the wellbeing of those affected and to manage the closure with care and compassion

”Looking ahead, Abbeyfield Maidenhead is actively marketing the building as a care home and is optimistic that it can be used as a nursing home in the future.

“The trustees hope that Nicholas House will continue to serve the local community by providing high-quality care under new management and ownership.”

The society will continue to offer care at its remaining home Winton House in Windsor, the statement added.

Winton House was opened by Sir Nicholas in 1980 and is run by Abbeyfield Society Maidenhead.

Sir Nicholas played a big part in charitable causes closer around Maidenhead and founded Abbeyfield Society Maidenhead, a not-for-profit care provider for the elderly, in 1973

But he is remembered globally for organising a heroic mission to rescue 669 of mostly Jewish children on trains from a Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia on the brink of World War Two.

His actions, and the men and women who helped him, were recreated in the 2023 film One Life, which starred Sir Anthony Hopkins as Sir Nicholas.