Pioneering Care: Farnham’s First Purpose-Built Care Home Revolutionized Elderly Care

The late 1930s changed elderly care in England. Two Farnham care homes led this change. St James’s was the first home built for the elderly, while St Andrew’s was in old workhouse buildings. They opened in July 1939 near Farnham Hospital.

These Surrey Council homes were revolutionary. Officials came from everywhere to see them, and people hailed them as a sign of progress. They changed how the Poor Law operated. The homes were for 100 aged, good residents; these conditions differed from old workhouses.

Old workhouses were a last resort for the poor. George Sturt, a writer, lamented this situation. Workhouses had repairs, but original parts were old, dating back to after the Battle of Waterloo. Farnham homes ended the Poor Law system. They introduced pensions and unemployment benefits, and infirmaries became public hospitals.

Crosby and Co Ltd built the new homes. Percy Crosby took a personal interest in the project. The building cost £33,831 total, including the officer’s house. Fixtures added £1,565 to the bill. Craftsmen earned 1/8d per hour, proving their skills to earn this rate.

They made joinery at the Crosby shop, by the river at Gostrey Meadow. All windows, doors, stairs, and flooring were made there.
Most flooring used English oak, and the building showcased the craftsmen’s work. Some later lived in the home.

Bungalow units replaced grim buildings. People called the elderly residents, not inmates. Staff did not wear prison-like uniforms anymore. Lily Banks, St James’ matron, spoke to the Herald, saying the home felt like paradise. Residents enjoyed coal fires in their rooms, and men sat outside among bluebells, smoking pipes.

St James’ introduced occupational therapy as well. Ladies knitted socks during the war. Single and double rooms were a new feature, replacing crowded wards. The annual garden party was a special event. Singer Jessie Matthews opened one party in the 1950s, and Arthur English opened another in 1985.

The 1989 party was a jubilee celebration. St James’s closed soon after, as the home did not suit modern needs and was costly to run. Residents moved to a new home in Merrow. Surrey County Council ran Farnham homes until 2016. Cobgates closed in that year.