A family has been redefining care for the elderly for decades – and has been recognised nationally for its family-driven approach. Huntington House and Langham Court in Hindhead were founded by Mal Hoare.

As a former nurse, Mal was frustrated at only having a small window to make patients' lives better and was tired of seeing the lack of compassion in care homes – so she decided to do something about it and opened the Huntington House Care Home in 1978.

More than 46 years and four generations later, the Hoare family is still pioneering people-first care. 

Charlie Hoare, now managing director, and his sister Sarah, now director, grew up in the flat above Huntington House.

“We literally grew up with the care home as our home,” Charlie said. “Our Christmases were spent with the residents; even our grandparents lived here. Mum wanted to provide care we’d want for our own family.”

Langham Court, built in 2013, specialises in dementia care. It recently won ‘Best Dementia Care Home’ at the 14th National Dementia Care Awards. 

But Huntington House is also making headlines, having been shortlisted in two categories at the Surrey Care Awards: ‘Nursing Home of the Year’ and ‘Registered Manager of the Year’ for Maggie Cain.

Both care homes use unique care models. There are no uniforms or rigid routines; residents are free to live life on their own terms. One resident still visits the local butcher weekly, while another replanted a memorial tree outside her window to watch it grow.

One resident said: “I have never come across so many kind and friendly people in one place before.”

Mal still lives on-site with Geoff, her husband, and Sarah's young family. The motto that guides everything at The Huntington & Langham Estate is: "Let our family look after yours."