A couple who transformed the fortunes of a failing care facility in Surrey have added a second property to their portfolio thanks to six-figure care home financing from Unity Trust Bank.

Mekala and Sena Satheswaran, directors of Y&M Care, bought Old Wall Cottage Nursing Home in Betchworth in 2019 after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had ruled it ‘required improvements’.

After turning it into a ‘Good’-rated establishment, they have acquired Westcott House in neighbouring Dorking so that both homes complement the company’s care offering in the area.

More than 100 staff are now employed across both homes, with Old Wall Cottage providing 36 bed spaces for dementia patients and Wescott accommodating 60 residents in need of nursing care.

Words from Mekala

Mekala said: “When we bought Old Wall Cottage we worked with healthcare consultancy Fulcrum to identify and prioritise what needed doing.

“We refurbished it and added more bedrooms. But, as with any business, staff are your main assets and crucial to your success. We created a good working environment, invested in training and introduced competitive salaries and flexible working patterns.

“When we wanted to buy Westcott House, Fulcrum recommended Unity to us. Paul Kelly, who is our personal relationship manager, was so knowledgeable. He inspired confidence in us and guided us through the whole process.

“We want to make a difference to people’s lives and ensure that their later years are as comfortable and meaningful as possible. So, it’s important that our bank is community-orientated and not just about the finance.”

Working with Unity

Unity was founded 40 years ago and its mission is to help create a better society. In 2023 it surpassed a milestone £1billion in socially-responsible lending. The bank has received the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development 2024 in recognition of the social good it delivers.

Paul Kelly is the Deputy Regional Director at Unity Trust Bank. He said: “Through excellent customer service and responsible financing we support organisations to grow and address social, economic or environmental needs in local communities.

“I have worked with many specialised care home operators during my time in banking. Mekala and Sena’s commitment to improving the welfare of both their service users and employees aligns with Unity’s values.

“The operators are pro-actively involved with the wellbeing of the service users, their families and the wider community. Their dedication is commendable, and it is a pleasure working with them.”

Tony Thiru established Fulcrum Care Ltd in 2017. He said: “I help turn businesses’ fortunes around. When I moved into the care sector, I saw first-hand how devastating it was when a failing home closed. As residents were forced to move on; it often proved fatal.

“I worked with Mekala and Sena to make Old Wall Cottage compliant again. Together we brought their ideas to fruition and ensured regulatory compliance.

“Care homes and the healthcare sector are facing challenging times, and there is a lot of uncertainty. So, it’s more important than ever for banks like Unity to have a supportive approach to the sector.”