Consultation on the future of Grisedale Croft Care Home in Alston

Overview

This consultation is about the future of Grisedale Croft Care Home in Alston - and includes consideration of an option for the continued provision of care in an alternative building in Alston.

We know the valued place Grisedale Croft has in the community and the longstanding role the home has played in supporting local people for more than 50 years. The home is rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission and we are proud of the quality of care our current and past staff have continued to provide.

We are looking at the future of Grisedale Croft because the building is costly and not fit for the future of modern care. Permanent resident numbers have declined in recent years to as low as three, currently four, making operating costs per resident very high.

No decisions have been taken about the final outcome. The purpose of the consultation is to gather views, understand impacts, and ensure that any future decision is informed by the experiences and priorities of those most affected.

However, the council’s Cabinet has already recognised that Alston is an isolated community with little alternative provision available, so for this consultation it has indicated from the outset that its preferred option is to provide alternative accommodation in a suitable building in the local area, if one could be acquired, and it is financially viable.

We understand that even the start of a consultation on options for the future may be worrying for residents, families, and staff. These are people’s homes and places of work, not just buildings, and we are approaching this with care, openness and respect.

This consultation is about listening. We want to hear directly from residents, loved ones, staff and local communities so that any decision we make is informed and focussed on people’s wellbeing, dignity and safety.

Throughout the consultation period, residents and families will receive individual support, and staff will be kept fully informed, with trade unions engaged as part of the process. The council will ensure that any future changes prioritise safety, continuity of care and quality of life.

Following the consultation period, all feedback will be carefully analysed and the Director of Adult Social Care will make final decisions later in 2026.

Thank you for taking part in this consultation. You will find more details below about the background to this consultation, our wider vision for the future of care, and how to take part in the consultation and find out more at community information events.

Information about the consultation will be updated throughout the consultation period at https://consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/adult-social-care/grisedale-croft

If you have any questions or need additional support to take part in the consultation please email care.consultation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or call  0300 373 3301.

Nikkie Phipps, Assistant Director of Care Services
Adult Social Care, Westmorland and Furness Council

How to get involved in the Grisedale Croft consultation

We welcome and would like to hear your views. This is a public consultation and we welcome responses from any individual or group with an interest in this issue.

We will gather feedback in a number of ways, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have their say, including:

• An online consultation information page and an online consultation survey
• A paper consultation pack and survey
• Information drop-in events in the community
• Support for residents and their families to take part, with advocacy available where required.
• Consultation with potentially affected staff and Trade Unions

Online consultation page and consultation survey

This online consultation information page and consultation survey will be updated with information and relevant documents throughout the consultation period.

On the survey you have the chance to indicate your preferred option for Grisedale Croft and to comment further.

Please note the online consultation survey is open for 12 weeks and further relevant information may emerge during the consultation and through community engagement and questions. Therefore you may wish to submit your consultation response later in the process.

It will also be possible to amend your online response right up to the closing date.

Meanwhile any questions or concerns can be sent to care.consultation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Printed consultation information and consultation survey

Printed versions of the consultation information and survey will be available to pick up at community venues in and around Alston Moor, including:

• Alston Library
• Garrigill Post Office
• The Hive, Nenthead

Paper surveys can be returned to Alston Library or posted to the council without a stamp to: Grisedale Croft Consultation, FREEPOST, Westmorland and Furness Council. 

Information board in Alston Library

Consultation information boards in Alston Library will be updated with printed versions of any new or updated information that is posted online during the consultation period.

Community information drop-ins

The council will be holding a series of drop-in information sessions where people can find out more about the consultation, speak individually to council officers about the proposals, or be supported to fill in the survey on paper or online.

Residents of Grisedale Croft and their families

We are committed to involving all Grisedale Croft residents and their relatives at the centre of our decision-making. If you are someone who will be directly affected by the proposed options then you should already have been contacted directly by our Adult Social Care staff.

If you have not yet been contacted, then please let us know using the contact details above/below and we will be in touch as soon as possible to explain the support available.

All residents and their family members will be offered advocacy support from independent, professional advocates. We want to make sure that everyone affected has the chance to fully participate in this consultation.  The advocacy organisation will produce a report for the council setting out their findings.

The council will also consult directly with staff and other local stakeholders.

As a resident or family member you can of course also let us know your views in the same way as all other members of the public, via the online survey, the printed survey, or by emailing care.consultation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

We look forward to receiving your views and comments.