From humble beginnings
It seems like only yesterday that we opened the doors of our first Martha Trust Home in Hereford. Our aim was to provide the best possible care for young people with profound intellectual and physical disabilities, and Martha Trust has now become an integral part of Community Care in the county.
In 1994 the founding trustees, Sarah & Richard Smith, inspired by their youngest daughter Sophie who has profound disabilities, decided to embark on raising the necessary funds to build a home that would satisfy her future needs and at the same time could provide help for as many families as possible, faced with a similar difficult situation to their own.
After considerable effort and support from the community at large the first Martha Trust home was completed in December 1996 and the first resident arrived in January 1997. Our principles of having no age limit or geographical boundary allows for continuity of care which is so vital for people with profound disabilities and complex needs.
Our waiting list grew and parents were telling us that it had become increasingly more difficult to source suitable help and support. Unfortunately Martha House had no lifelong vacancies. The Trustees decided that a second home would help ease the demand and Sophie House was born.
Providing a loving, safe and secure family home environment is the main objective of the Martha Trust, and this concept has been adopted throughout the design of Sophie House. Sophie House therefore has similar facilities to those at Martha House including adjustable height baths and beds, a ceiling mounted hoisting system throughout the building and it's own fully equipped laundry and main kitchen. The therapy centre mirrors the facilities offered at Martha House including a hydroptherapy pool.
Once people became aware that a new home was under construction we started to receive referrals and our first resident moved in on the 1st October 2012.
All in all Martha Trust is a fantastic experience and a wonderful achievement for all those who have so generously given their time and funds. One thing is certain, there are many thousands of families, single parents, foster parents and carers who wish they were lucky enough to have a Home like ours on their own doorstep - somewhere where their son or daughter can be safe for the rest of their lives.
“We’re amazed by the high standards of care and training and quite simply with the love and security with which staff ‘cocoon’ all the residents - a true home in every sense of the word.”
Our Senior Staff
Becky Brown
Care Manager Martha House
Chris Turney
Registered Manager
I joined Martha Trust in 2003 as part of the nursing team, working first at Martha House and then transferring to Sophie House on the day it opened. I have been lucky enough to welcome each of our residents and their families at Sophie House. I became the manager of Sophie House in 2014. In November 2023 I also took on the registered manager role for Martha House. I am driven by the pursuit for perfection, but time is always against me.
I trained as a general nurse in a large London hospital quite a long time ago. Consequently I have had a long time to accrue experience with nursing, people and life. I have always preferred to work in care homes. I moved to Hereford in 1996 with three young children, two of whom also now work for Martha Trust.
Both Sophie House and Martha House are marvellous homes for our residents where they are able to be themselves, and enjoy life. I do feel privileged to be part of their lives, on a journey together. Having such amazing buildings and facilities makes work a pleasure, most of the time!
I see a major part of my role as a leader of the staff; to be as supportive as possible to all the staff whatever their role. Good communication is essential by any means available. I do like things to be orderly and safe, but that doesn’t mean there is no room for creativity, spontaneity, innovation and fun if it means that the residents have an enriched life as a result. I value professionalism balanced with being approachable and having a sense of humour, both with my colleagues and the residents’ families. Longevity runs in my family so I intend to be here for a good while yet.
Laura Morris
Care Manager Sophie House
I started my career at Martha Trust, in 1999, as a care assistant only a few years after Martha House opened its doors. My time as a carer pushed my determination to become a nurse, to be able to provide care and help those who need it. I left Martha House to compete my nursing qualification. After I had qualified, I gained experience in surgical nursing and age care nursing…. but I knew all along I wanted to be back at Martha Trust!
In 2012, after starting a family, I came back to Martha and was one of the first nurses to work at Sophie House. Since coming back as a nurse I have developed personally and professionally. I have learnt new skills and been part of an amazing and supportive team.
In 2018 I took post as the deputy manager and clinical lead at Sophie House. It came with the challenge of COVID 19 and my Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management. The opportunities I have had have been amazing and have challenged me in every way.
In November 2023, I took post as Care Manager and Clinical Lead of Sophie House, an exciting opportunity to develop within the trust alongside a team of managers I have worked closely with since 2012. Although much of my role is leading the staff, I like to think I am approachable and supportive.
However, I would not be where I am today without the support of the amazing people I work alongside. I am looking forward to the future of Martha Trust - being part of such a supportive team, continuing to provide high quality of care & support for the residents who live here.
Pat Pahal
HR Manager
I am a Chartered MCIPD qualified HR generalist, with extensive experience working with stakeholders in a variety of sectors, at both an operational and strategic level.
I started my career in hospitality, having studied hotel management; and soon decided that I wanted to work in Human Resources (HR) - or Personnel & Training, as it was called then!
I worked in HR in the hospitality sector for many years, firstly in hotels and then in contract catering and event management. In 2009, I made the move into the world of HR consultancy and interim roles. This gave me the opportunity to work in different industry sectors, including engineering, logistics, customer service, health and social care and the charity sector. I particularly enjoyed working with and supporting small local charities.
In 2023, having worked for a number of years for a large national organisation, I decided it was time to move back to the world of charity and find a role where I could make a difference in the local community. I joined Martha Trust as HR Manager in July 2023 and I love working here!
I work with an amazing team who provide exemplary care to our residents. Care, kindness and respect are our core values. I see my role very much as supporting the team, helping to facilitate open communications between managers and their teams; and championing employee wellbeing and positive employee relations. I am passionate about ensuring a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
It is a privilege to be able to care for our residents and I support our multi-disciplinary team in providing the best care possible. I want this to be a fun and safe place to work!
Lisa Purslow
Trust Director
I became Trust Director in April 2023 having worked as Deputy Trust Director from February 2019 – March 2023. I initially joined the Trust in May 2014 as Quality Assurance Manager. I am directly responsible to the Board of Trustees and my role is to run the Trust’s business operations and finances. I work closely with the Charity Commission, CQC, our service commissioners and the Registered Manager to ensure our services are compliant and excellent.
We provide a lifelong home for our residents and bespoke individual care. We recruit compassionate and caring individuals to work for us and pride ourselves on a family environment for our residents’, their families and our staff. We regularly monitor, review, analyse and update our policies, procedures and practices to constantly improve the service we deliver and provide the highest possible standards of care to our residents. Before joining the Trust I spent 10 years as a medical research scientist in academia and public health focusing on physical activity, nutrition and obesity.
Martha Trust Hereford is an incredibly special place to work and our aim is to ensure that all our residents lead happy, active and full lives.
Our Board of Trustees
Martha Trust Hereford Limited has six Trustees as follows:-
RICHARD SMITH | CHAIRMAN
Founder of Martha with my wife Sarah. Managing Director of HR Smith Group employing 200 people at our Leominster and Hereford factories. The company is a world leader in Search & Rescue equipment for the Aerospace Industry. Designer of the Chunc Wheelchair, an innovative medical device for disabled young people.
BILL SOMERS
Bill has a financial background having worked for NatWest Bank for 26 years and then setting up his own business, in Leominster, Herefordshire as a Financial Adviser in 2001. He has been a trustee of Martha Trust Hereford since 2005.
SARAH SHARP-SMITH
Founding Trustee with husband Richard, and mother of Sophie, one of the lifelong residents at Martha and the inspiration for the home! M.Sc in Landscape Ecology, Design and Maintenance which inspires my interest in gardening and the environment. Enjoys travel, reading and current affairs.
ALASTAIR STEWART
Trustee since 1999. Life long friend of Richard & Sarah, having met them both at university in the 1970's. After 5 years commisioned service in the RAF, joined a small independent firm of wine merchants in Newcastle upon Tyne, that he has owned and run since 1996.
LUCINDA SHARP-SMITH
Daughter of Richard and Sarah, started her working life as a small animal vet in London, she joined the family business HR Smith Group of Companies 4 years ago and now works there full time. Enjoys travel, gardening and cooking.
SUSAN SMITH | SECRETARY
One of the founding Trustees and Company Secretary.