Our Story

MHA was founded in 1943 by a group of Methodists who wanted to improve the quality of life of older people in the time before the creation of the Welfare State. We continue to have strong support from Methodists as well as other Christians to this day.

1943

MHA founded by Rev Walter Hall and the Methodist Church as an independent charity to provide care, support and accommodation for older people in need

1945

MHA’s first residential care home opened to improve the quality of life for older people

1950's

A steady stream of residential homes were opened in the South East, the Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire

1977

Housing services established offering sheltered accommodation for rent

1988

First Live at Home initiative set up providing support to older people in their homes, through volunteers

1989

MHA’s first specialist nursing care home built, founded on MHA’s principles of privacy, dignity, independence and well-being

1997

Dementia specialist care delivered in purpose-built care homes, focussing on the person and their individual needs

2000

Retirement living with care services established combining self-contained accommodation with care and support

2004

Community services set up to provide MHA’s dementia care to people living in their own homes

2007

MHA introduces reflexology training for members of staff, enabling them to become qualified reflexologists to enhance care and well-being for residents in several homes. The first three groups begin their courses, to qualify in 2008

2008

MHA employs its first in-house Music Therapist, to provide support for residents with dementia

2009

MHA acquires its first retirement village, Auchlochan, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland

2010

Big Lottery Reaching Community Fund enables MHA to develop further a music therapy service with £302,000

2012

MHA wins Best Residential Care Provider at the Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Awards, and also the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award

2013

MHA celebrates its Platinum Anniversary

2015

Our music therapy team win the Excellence in Dementia Care LaingBuisson Award in recognition of their specialised therapeutic care, dedication and research.

2016

MHA selected by ITV to guide the award-winning dementia story line on Emmerdale. Read more >>

2017

MHA's Chaplaincy team has scooped the 3rd Sector Care award for its work on end of life care. Read more >>

2018

MHA celebrates 75 years of bringing quality to later life. Read more >>

Emmerdale star John Middleton cut the ribbon on MHA's 90th care home, Montpellier Manor. Read more >>

Today, MHA continues to provide care, accommodation and support to more than 18,000 older people across the UK thanks to the commitment and dedication of its 7,000 employees and 5,000 volunteers. To learn more about the charity, please visit the About Us page.