Two social care charities have merged to form one organisation with an income of around £44m and 1,300 employees.
White Horse Care Trust has merged into the Milestones Trust, which will support more than 500 people with learning disabilities through over 80 services across south west England.
The merger will see the transfer of all assets and liabilities from White Horse Care Trust to Milestones Trust.
It did not cause any redundancies but White Horse Care Trust chief executive Erica Pryce and one other staff member chose to leave.
Hilary Crowhurst, Milestones Trust chief executive, will stay in the same role as leader of the merged charity.
Milestones Trust provided services in Bath, north east Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire, while White Horse Care Trust supported people in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Previously, both charities were running on an operating loss, according to their latest filings. White Horse Care Trust had an income of £10.2m for the year ending 31 March 2024, while Milestones Trust recorded £29.7m for the year ending 31 March 2023.
‘A trusted, large but local provider’
Crowhurst said: “By merging, we can expand the reach of the excellent services and support that both Milestones Trust and White Horse Care Trust are known for, establishing our merged organisation as a trusted ‘large but local’ provider in the south west.
“Our combined organisation is better able to deliver long-term and sustainable services to support even more people and I’m pleased to welcome our new colleagues and the people supported in Swindon and Wiltshire into our trust.”
Pryce said: “Our top priority has been to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our colleagues, those we support, and their families.
“We are proud of the identity and culture of our trust and we trust that Milestones will honour and celebrate our legacy and heritage.
“We believe that those who will be part of the future will embrace the opportunity to learn from each other and create a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative culture across the merged organisation.”
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