About Us
Care Housing Association (Care) primarily develops property for Social Services Learning Disabilities Teams across Lancashire in order to provide specific tailored accommodation for their clients. All our residents receive 24 hour care and support from specialist support providers in order to empower them to live as independently as possible within the community. Care works on a not-for-profit basis within the social housing sector and seeks to provide specialist accommodation not readily available within the open market due to the bespoke nature of the properties and the tailored matching of the requirements of our customers.
In achieving Registered Provider status with the Tenant Services Authority (RP number – 4672), we aim to continue to develop happy, sustainable homes for the benefit of our customers and help them increase their quality of lives by promoting choice, individuality and independence.
Board of Directors
David Ward – David is a founding Board member and current serving chairman. David has over 30 years experience in Construction Management and Safety Management and is a Director of a Construction Consultancy with a nationwide practice which has a strong portfolio of social housing developments. David brings a balanced view to the board especially in respect of operational matters and regarding his area of expertise in health and safety.
Neil Davies – Neil is a qualified nurse in Mental Health and with 25 years experience of developing Services in The Health, Social Care and Charitable sectors, and a founding Board member. Currently Director of Development with a large UK based charity, Neil has developed services in Wales, the Midlands and London/South East Areas. Neil has a vast wealth of knowledge of working with people within the disabled sector and is currently Commercial Director with a large UK based Care organisation providing support to people with mental health needs and associated disabilities.
Caroline Hodson – Caroline is a Psychiatric Nurse with a 18 year career in the NHS. The last 14 years have been spent working in the community with clients and their families in their own homes, in Birmingham and the North West. Caroline joined the Board in 2006.
Vicky Wadsworth – Vicky is a qualified solicitor specializing in Mental Health Law and Capacity, and Human Rights. Vicky is the head of department at Roebucks Solicitors, Blackburn. Vicky also has a son, Matthew, who suffers from severe autism and who has recently moved into his own accommodation, provided by Care HA, with the support of care staff. As a consequence of Vicky’s experience, she is able to assist in legal matters including rent, tenancy, bad debtors, care problems, and benefit issues. Vicky was recruited to the Board in June 2011.
John Thomson – John is currently the Chairman of the Board at Regenda Housing and sits on the Board of Guiness Housing Trust. John has over 30 years experience in social housing and heads a firm of chartered surveyors based in Manchester. John was recruited to the Board in June 2011.
Stephen Niven – Stephen is a qualified accountant with extensive experience in industry and commerce. He has been employed for the last 33 years by a major food wholesaler and distributor in the Preston area and is currently Company Secretary and Property Director. As a Property Director he manages a mixed portfolio of property interest with day to day dealings with Landlord and Tenant Act matters, acquisitions and disposals, and leads a specialised team of property professionals. Stephen is due to retire at Christmas 2011 and was recruited to the Board in August 2011 in order that Care HA could benefit from his vast experience.
Housing Manager
Matthew Eddisford – Matthew is the first full time employee of Care HA, appointed as Housing Manager in March 2011. As Housing Manager, Matthew is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Care HA. Matthew has over 4 years experience in housing management, predominantly with larger, general needs Housing Associations and has recently achieved his MSC in housing practice.