History

Laying the Foundation Stone

Built on a passion for caring

Bridgemead was opened in 1992, under the inspired leadership of a local GP, Dr Ray King. He was supported by a number of churches from different denominations in the Bath area.

The idea for Bridgemead came about following the death of an older patient of Dr King’s, who left a widow without family to support her. The widowed lady was in need of care and, being an active church member, she desperately wanted to spend her remaining years in a Christian community. However, due to the lack of suitable provision in Bath, she was moved to a Christian care home in another part of the country – far away from her friends and local church.

This led to Dr King’s vision: to build a residential and nursing home for older people, operated with a Christian ethos. And as part of a suite of first-class care, it would also offer spiritual support to all those who wished to receive it.

Planning began in 1985 and Bridgemead opened to its first residents in March 1992 – inaugurated by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend Dr George Carey. The building also won architectural awards for its progressive design.

Ever since, Bridgemead has held firmly onto its original aspirations. Hundreds of older people and their families have benefited from the care it provides.

Today Bridge Care, the charity, is under the governance of a team of Trustees from a variety of churches within Bath.