Oakhaven Care

Home Care services for the New Forest, Totton and Waterside

Uncategorised

Oakhaven Care opens a new office in Romsey!

by

Oakhaven Care's new office in Romsey

Oakhaven Care opens a new office in Romsey!

Oakhaven Care provides home care and live-in care services - and donates 100% of any profits to Oakhaven Hospice.

On Monday 20th April, the award-winning home care provider opened a new office in Romsey, at 9 Church Street. This new branch extends the reach of award-winning Oakhaven Care, which now provides domiciliary care visits and live-in care across the Romsey, North Baddesley, Chandlers Ford and surrounding areas.

Oakhaven Care’s personalised home care services can help you or your loved ones maintain independence at home. From 30-minute drop-ins to multiple daily visits, extending to live-in and 24-hour care as and when required, Oakhaven Care can support you to remain in the comfort of your own home and maintain your chosen lifestyle.

A social enterprise, 100% of any profit made by the organisation is donated to help fund Oakhaven Hospice. This is innovative and unique; Oakhaven Care Ltd is the only home care provider in the area that funnels all its profits into a local charity rather than into the pockets of investors.

Erica Longyear, Managing Director, commented, “We are delighted to now be able to offer our first-class home care services across Romsey, North Baddesley, Chandlers Ford and surrounding areas. Whether you are looking for regular home care visits, convalescent care after an illness or stay in hospital, respite care whilst relatives take a holiday, companionship care to support you once a week or full-time live-in care, our team can help. We are committed to continuing to provide outstanding, personalised care to every individual we support. If you are considering care for yourself or a loved one, do get in touch with the team, who will be pleased to answer any questions you might have about care.”

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. The new Romsey team can be contacted by telephone at 01794 400 130, by email at info@oakhavencare.co.uk or by popping into the new office for a chat.

Oakhaven Care covers the whole New Forest and Waterside area, from Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Lymington and New Milton to Waterside, Totton, Romsey and Chandlers Ford.

Oakhaven Care is a finalist in national Home Care Awards 2026

by

Finalist in the Home Care Awards 2026

We have been shortlisted for the finals of the 2026 Home Care Awards!

We are thrilled to announce that Oakhaven Care has been named a finalist in the 2026 Home Care Awards! This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and supporting the well-being of our clients in the comfort of their own homes.

The Home Care Awards celebrate excellence within the home care sector, recognising innovation, compassion, and outstanding service. Oakhaven Care has been selected as a finalist in the Palliative/ End of Life Care Category, and in the Most Outstanding Independent Home Care Provider Category.

“We are honoured and incredibly proud to be named a finalist in the 20256 Home Care Awards,” said Erica Longyear, Managing Director of Oakhaven Care. “This recognition is a true testament to the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of our wonderful team, who  go above and beyond to ensure that our clients receive the highest standard of care. We are deeply committed to continuing to provide outstanding, personalised care to every individual we support.”

Celebrating Excellence in Home Care

At Oakhaven Care, we believe that great care goes beyond just meeting physical needs—it’s about creating a supportive environment where clients can flourish, feel connected, and enjoy a high quality of life. Being named a finalist reflects our dedication to providing care that truly makes a difference and our continuous efforts to innovate and enhance the services we offer.

We would like to extend our thanks to our wonderful staff, clients, and their families for your trust, dedication, and support. This achievement belongs to all of us, and we look forward to working together to build on this success.

Our Lymington office has moved to St Thomas Street!

by

Oakhaven Care Lymington office

Oakhaven’s home care social enterprise, Oakhaven Care, has moved its Lymington office to 16A St Thomas Street - you are welcome to drop by to find out about home care.

Previously located at Oakhaven Hospice, the move enables Oakhaven Care’s previous Lymington office to be used for hospice care, whilst providing more space for the Oakhaven Care team. The Totton office remains at 9 Salisbury Road.

Award-winning Oakhaven Care provides personalised homecare services across the New Forest, Totton, the Waterside and beyond, helping clients to maintain their independence at home. From 30-minute drop-ins to multiple daily visits, extending to live-in and 24-hour care as and when required, Oakhaven Care can support you to remain in the comfort of your own home and maintain your chosen lifestyle.

A social enterprise, any profit made by the organisation is donated to help fund Oakhaven Hospice. This is innovative and unique; Oakhaven Care Ltd is the only home care provider in the area that funnels all its profits into a local charity rather than into the pockets of investors. Over the twelve years since its formation, the social enterprise has donated a cumulative £1 million to Oakhaven Hospice, whilst ensuring, at all times, to provide first-class care and competitive prices within the home care market.

Erica Longyear, Managing Director of Oakhaven Care, commented, “We are delighted with our new St Thomas Street office, which, like our office in Totton, is more accessible for our clients and our staff. If you are considering care for yourself or a loved one, please do pop by - our team will be pleased to answer any questions you might have about care. Both our offices are open Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm, and Fridays 8.30am to 4pm.”

Oakhaven Care covers the whole New Forest and Waterside area, from Fordingbridge, Ringwood and New Milton to Waterside, Totton and Romsey. Find out more at www.oakhavencare.co.uk. Get in touch for a free consultation. Telephone 02381 800 505 or 01590 646400, or email info@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

Oakhaven Care is a finalist in the Social Enterprise UK Awards

by

We made it to the finals Social Enterprise UK Awards

Oakhaven Care is delighted to be shortlisted in the 'Consumer Facing Social Enterprise of the Year' category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2025. Run by Social Enterprise UK, the Awards celebrate the leading lights in our sector, showcasing diversity and impact across 15 categories.

Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose, and reinvest at least half their profits to further that mission. There are around 131,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing 2.3 million people, and we’re delighted to be recognised as one of the best in this pioneering business movement.

Commenting on being a UK Social Enterprise Awards finalist, Oakhaven Care's Managing Director, Erica Longyear, said: “We are thrilled to have reached the finals of this prestigious national award. A social enterprise owned by The Oakhaven Trust, Oakhaven Care donates 100% of any profits to Oakhaven Hospice. Since our formation twelve years ago, Oakhaven Care has now donated a cumulative £1 million to Oakhaven Hospice, thereby helping to fund the provision of hospice care to patients across the New Forest, Waterside and Totton community."

We’ll join other finalists and VIP guests at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank Centre on 26th November, when the winners will be revealed.

Oakhaven Care team cheering

Oakhaven Care receives Award of Excellence for Homecare Provider 2025

by

Award of Excellence presented to Oakhaven Care for Homecare Provider of 2025

We are delighted to have been presented with the Award of Excellence for Homecare Provider 2025 by E2 Media.

Choosing the right care provider is a massive decision that a lot of families experience. It can be incredibly difficult to make sure you choose the best solution for yourself or your loved one. Knowing that you or your loved ones will be happy and safe in the hands of a care provider is ultimately one of the most important things we take into consideration.

Oakhaven Care is no ordinary home care provider. Our team has been providing home care to residents in the New Forest, Waterside and Totton communities for over twelve years, supporting people in their own homes with a range of visiting and live-in home care services, ensuring dignity and comfort at all times.

Oakhaven Care Ltd is a social enterprise, wholly owned by Oakhaven Hospice, and uniquely 100% of any profits made by Oakhaven Care are donated to support the work of the Hospice, rather than lining the pockets of investors. In this way, Oakhaven Care supports not just their clients, but also the hospice care needs of those in the community with terminal or life-limiting conditions.

Award of Excellence for Homecare Provider 2025

E2 Media has recently unveiled the highly anticipated 2025 Awards of Excellence, which spotlight outstanding achievements across various industries. Among the distinguished winners is Oakhaven Care Ltd, which has been awarded ‘Homecare Provider of the Year’.

Louise Slattery from E2 Media stated, “Oakhaven Care’s exceptional dedication to providing unparalleled service has set them apart, earning them the recognition and admiration of their industry peers and their community. This accolade highlights Oakhaven Care’s commitment to excellence and the consistent efforts to go above and beyond in ensuring a positive and seamless experience for their clients.

“This Award of Excellence also recognises Oakhaven Care’s unique contribution to the funding of the Oakhaven Hospice charity.

“We think it’s important to recognise organisations bringing something new and innovative to their marketplace. They don’t have to be the biggest; however, they have to be an organisation that is trying to offer something different from what is already out there. Above all, they must provide a great product and service. We feel that Oakhaven Care Ltd ticks all the boxes and is a worthy winner of our award.”

Oakhaven Care team cheering

Home care that makes a difference

Many of our clients could be described as vulnerable and require various levels of care, which could include regular care visits, respite care, convalescent care, live-in care and palliative care. Our team supports clients with daily tasks such as personal care, medication, preparing meals and fluids, help in the home, nighttime care, getting to appointments, and much more, including, importantly, companionship to combat isolation.

Being able to continue to live in their home environment whilst receiving an outstanding level of care allows people to retain a level of independence, and also crucially, it enables them to continue living a happy and fulfilling life in the familiar surroundings they know and love, close to family, friends, their community and, if they have them, their pets.

We see clients as individuals, and as such, no two care plans are ever the same. We are committed to finding the best and most cost-effective way of meeting the client’s needs and aspirations, which will form the basis of their personalised care plan.

First-class care in your own home - with close links to Oakhaven Hospice

Oakhaven Care works closely with Oakhaven Hospice. All Oakhaven Community Care Assistants are fully trained and have the skills and knowledge required to offer the best level of care. The staff go that extra mile and value the connections they have with their clients.

Erica Longyear, Managing Director of Oakhaven Care, explains, “Over the past twelve years, Oakhaven Care has grown from a small team to now employing over sixty carers. We are all passionate about providing the very best standard of personalised care for all our clients.

“Carers and clients alike, we are very proud of the contribution we make towards our local hospice charity. Just a small proportion of Oakhaven Hospice’s costs are covered by the government, and therefore, in donating all our profits, we are helping to provide hospice care for our whole community.”

Andrew Ryde, Chief Executive of Oakhaven Hospice, said, "We'd like to wholeheartedly congratulate everyone at Oakhaven Care for achieving this recognition. The team works hard to provide first-class home care, ensuring the highest levels of professionalism and training at all times. Oakhaven Care is very much a part of the Oakhaven family, we are immensely proud of the outstanding service they provide to clients, the excellent camaraderie within the team and the contribution they provide to support the Hospice each year. Well done everyone!"

To find out more about Oakhaven Care Ltd services and careers, email info@oakhavencare.co.uk or contact the team for a chat and a free home assessment on 01590 646440 (Lymington office) or 02381 800 505 (Totton office).

Support for those who care for a loved one

by

Oakhaven Care Assistants and award

Carers Week 2025

There are 5.8 million people in the UK caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, older or disabled. Unpaid carers save the UK economy an estimated £184 billion each year – the equivalent of a second NHS – yet many feel undervalued and unsupported.*

Caring for someone can have a significant impact on your own health, finances, employment and education opportunities. 70% of carers report a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or illness, compared to 50% of non-carers.**

Carers Week 2025 runs from 9th to 16th June, and this week has a focus on 'Caring About Equality.’ The aim is to highlight the disparities and disadvantages faced by unpaid carers across the UK and call for a fairer society where they have access to greater support.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Caring for a loved one should never be a reason for facing inequality, but sadly, this is a reality for many in the UK. Unpaid carers are desperate for a break, for better health and social care provision, financial support and equality in the workplace. Over half say they need better understanding and recognition from the public.***

“Carers' Week 2025 is a crucial opportunity to increase awareness, highlighting those who provide vital care to family members, friends or neighbours when they need it most. We want to see a future where they have the right support and the same opportunities to lead healthy and financially secure lives alongside their caring role.”

Home Care: vital support for those caring for a relative or friend

Over time, it may become challenging to look after a family member, friend or neighbour. Home care provides a way for your loved one to stay living in familiar surroundings, whilst receiving the support they need. Importantly, home care also provides respite for the carer, enabling them to take a much-needed break, to take some time out and enjoy their own hobbies for a while.

Oakhaven Care Ltd is a home care provider owned by The Oakhaven Trust. A social enterprise, 100% of any profits made by Oakhaven Care are donated to Oakhaven Hospice, rather than lining the pockets of investors. This is unique - Oakhaven Care is the only home care provider in the region to donate all its profits to a local charity.

The highly-trained team provides compassionate, personalised care, tailored to the individual and flexible to change as your needs develop. From 30-minute drop-in visits to multiple daily visits, extending to live-in and 24-hour care as and when required, Oakhaven Care Assistants support you to remain in the comfort of your own home and maintain your chosen lifestyle.

Erica Longyear, Managing Director of Oakhaven Care, said, "Our visiting care and live-in care services dramatically improve the lives of those for whom we are caring and also for their family, friends and neighbours. Starting home care can often seem really daunting, especially if you have lots of questions. We are here to speak to anyone who has questions about care, whether for now or planning for the future. Our office team are all qualified carers with lots of experience, we'll happily talk over the phone or will pop round and carry out a free assessment of your needs and wishes. Every home care package is different and personalised to the individual, and all are flexible, so they can develop over time as your needs change."

Eric engaged Oakhaven Care initially to provide home care for his father: "I've been using Oakhaven Care services for over five years now. I initially contacted them to provide daily visits when it became obvious that my father was struggling with caring for my mother, who was having a hard time with depression and decreased mobility. The change that the Oakhaven carers brought to the house was immediate and transformative.

"Suddenly, my father was no longer the only person responsible for caring for my mother, which meant that their relationship could go back to being husband and wife, rather than what it had become. Then, in early 2020, my father fell and broke his hip, at which point, Oakhaven were able to provide live-in carers to assist with all the things my father was no longer able to do. Since mid-2020, we've been using the same live-in caregiver, and she remained in place after my mother's passing later that year. I'm really not sure if my father would still be alive if not for the amazing presence of his carer."

Oakhaven Care provides visiting care throughout the New Forest, Totton and Waterside area, and live-in care further afield too. For more information and to get in touch with a chat, please email info@oakhavencare.co.uk or contact 01590 646440 or 023 8180 0505.

* Petrillo, M., Zhang, J., and Bennett, M.R. (2024) Valuing Carers 2021/2022: the value of unpaid care in the UK. London: Carers UK.
** GP Patient Survey, NHS, 2024.
*** Carers UK, State of Caring report, 2023.

Call us now