Richardson Care is 35 years old this year and we’re proud to remain an independent family business. And two of the residents who were with us then are still in our care today.

Richardson Care was set up in the family home of the late Brian Richardson, his wife Jackie and daughter Laura to provide a supportive home environment for young adults who had mental health or learning difficulties.

Back in 1989 the care landscape was very different and it was unusual to provide specialist care in such a homely and supportive environment with a strong sense of community.

Since then Richardson Care has continued to pioneer person-centred care for adults with learning disabilities or acquired brain injury and associated complex needs. Our core values remain the same with a focus on enabling individuals to fulfil their potential, feel part of a community and live happy and fulfilling lives.

We now accommodate 78 adults across six homes, providing flexible care pathways for increasing independence.

We’ll be celebrating later in the summer with a garden party for service users, their families and our staff.

What else was happening in 1989?

In 1989, Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and Neil Kinnock was Leader of the Opposition. The fall of the Berlin wall brought the reunification of Germany and Margaret Thatcher, US President George Bush and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared the end of the Cold War.

In TV and entertainment, Sky TV and Eurosport went on air for the first time and ITV broadcast its first national weather forecast. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan topped the music charts with ‘Especially for You’. Bros won the British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards and the house music scene was going strong.

Mike Tyson beat Frank Bruno in the much-anticipated heavyweight boxing contest and Nick Faldo became the first English winner of The Masters tournament in golf.