Castel Froma Neuro Care is delighted to announce that we have won two nationally recognised awards at this year’s Neurological and Complex Care Awards, held in London on 28 October 2025.

We were named winners in both the Best Multidisciplinary Team category and the Excellence in Occupational Therapy category, an incredible achievement that we are so proud to share.

Our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) was recognised for its outstanding collaboration and expertise, beating nine other finalists to take home the award. The judges commended the team’s “enthusiasm, deep expertise and seamless collaboration across a multitude of disciplines, demonstrating clinical rigour and thoughtful practice, delivering outstanding outcomes for patients.”

They added: “If one ever wondered what a professional multidisciplinary team in complex neuro care is all about, look no further than Castel Froma Neuro Care.”

In addition, our Deputy Chief Executive, Elizabeth Jackson, received the Excellence in Occupational Therapy Award. Judges described Elizabeth as “a shining example of innovation, compassion and professional excellence” and “an exceptional and dedicated clinician.”

They went on to say: “The Excellence in Occupational Therapy Award goes to an exceptional and dedicated clinician. Their person-centred approach empowers individuals to regain independence and improve quality of life, creating a lasting impact in neurological and complex care.”

Marie Bawden, Chief Executive at Castel Froma, said: ‘We are so proud of Elizabeth and the wider multidisciplinary team for winning their awards. Elizabeth is a skilled occupational therapist who drives the development of our services to enhance the quality of life for our patients.Our multidisciplinary team leads the field in showing strong leadership and cohesion that successfully integrates care plans to improve patient outcomes.’

The awards were presented by Dr Shani Dhanda, a global authority on inclusion and accessibility, who recognised the incredible contributions being made by individuals and teams across the sector.

The inaugural Neurological and Complex Care Awards were launched by Care Talk magazine to recognise and celebrate excellence within the field of neurological and complex care.

You can find out more about the awards at complexcareawards.co.uk.

Discover award-winning neurological and complex care

These awards recognise the exceptional care, expertise and teamwork that define life at Castel Froma Neuro Care.

Find out more about our services and approach or meet our team to learn how we help people achieve the best possible quality of life.

Castel Froma Neuro Care is proud to share that we have been shortlisted as finalists in the Neurological and Complex Care Awards.

Our dedicated Multidisciplinary Team has been recognised in the Best Multidisciplinary Team category. This nomination highlights the way our nurses, therapists, support workers and medical staff work together every day to provide seamless, person-centred care for people living with complex neurological conditions.

We are also delighted that our Deputy Chief Executive, Elizabeth Jackson, has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Occupational Therapy category. Elizabeth’s nomination reflects her commitment to helping residents maintain independence, dignity and quality of life through tailored therapy programmes.

Both our team and Elizabeth faced in-depth interviews with the judging panel before being named as finalists, making this recognition especially meaningful.

Although the award winners will not be announced until later in October, we are honoured to have reached this stage. Being shortlisted is a testament to the expertise, dedication and compassion of everyone at Castel Froma Neuro Care.

You can find out more about the awards on the Neurological and Complex Care Awards website.

The chair of a renowned Midlands health charity is running her first race since childhood to raise funds for patients with complex neurological conditions.

Caroline Wilson will be running the 5km race on 7 September for Castel Froma Neuro Care, the charity she chairs in Leamington Spa.

Castel Froma is one of only two centres of its kind in England that treats NHS patients with complex neurological illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or who have suffered trauma in an accident.

Caroline, who is in her early 60s, said: “I’ve bought some running shoes and on 7 September I’m going to do my first ever 5km run to raise funds for this very special charity.

“I can’t explain how much of a non-runner I am, but let’s just say that this will be my first race since I was made to do the 800 metres in a school sports day in the 1970s!

“I was talking to a friend who’s a runner and, in a moment of madness, somehow found myself entering the race. To make sure I don’t wimp out, I’ve decided to get sponsored to raise money for Castel Froma.

“Despite its essential place in the healthcare system, it is a constant challenge to balance the books here at Castel Froma as NHS and social care budgets only cover the costs of essential nursing and therapy.

“Many people who use our facilities at Lillington House and Helen Ley House in Leamington Spa need months or years of rehabilitation before they move to more independent living, and for some it becomes their long-term home.

“I’m therefore raising money to help make it feel more like a home than a hospital by funding extra activities and entertainment, which can make a massive difference to residents’ wellbeing.

“Thank you in advance to everyone who sponsors me. I’m now in training and am determined to raise as much as I can by completing the race.”

Caroline added: “Every penny people donate will go directly to the charity as I’ve paid the race entry fee and GoFundMe doesn’t take a percentage. If you can add Gift Aid, that’s even better!”

Donations for Caroline’s first ever 5km race can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/improve-lives-at-castel-froma

An historic Midlands health charity for residents with complex neurological conditions has launched a major review of its facilities to ensure it continues to meet changing care needs.

Castel Froma Neuro Care was founded in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire in 1874 and is one of only two centres of its kind in England, with NHS patients coming from across the Midlands and further afield.

The renowned charity provides specialist care, treatment, rehabilitation and comprehensive therapeutic facilities for people with conditions ranging from brain injuries to multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s diseases.

Castel Froma is currently based in two properties at Lillington House and Helen Ley House, which between them care for approximately 90 residents at any one time.

Caroline Wilson, Chair of Castel Froma, said: “At Castel Froma, we’re dedicated to providing worldclass care and therapy to residents with profound neurological conditions and the aftermath of severe head injuries.

“How health care is delivered is rapidly changing. We want to make sure we offer the best places to meet the needs of residents for decades to come, ensuring we offer the NHS maximum value for money.

“A key area to review is whether this care is best delivered on two sites, or whether further development on one site might be more beneficial in order to provide the best facilities for residents.

“Lillington House is largely a Victorian era building, with a 1990s extension. The majority of bedrooms at Lillington House are not ensuite, the building is very old and we wish to provide improved facilities for residents, who reasonably expect ensuite rooms.

“The Trustees are considering a number of options including whether the building can be fully modernised, or whether it makes more sense to rebuild a new centre in the extensive grounds at Lillington Road, or alternatively to further extend our Helen Ley site.

“Trustees are also considering the possibility of building a new community hub on the Lillington Road site for those residents who require regular therapy but no longer need residential care. No decisions have yet been taken and we are exploring all these options as part of our review.”

The Castel Froma charity has 215 staff including specialist nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists, psychologists and other therapy and care professionals.

Ms Wilson pointed out that the review was primarily looking at Castel Froma’s facilities, not its staffing, and was about how and where to deliver care. She said the review would include advice from property experts who are exploring options with suitable developers and partners.

Ms Wilson added: “This review is focused on our commitment to the best care of our residents, whose needs are at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re excited at the possibilities, including the potential creation of a new community out-patient hub. Most people with brain injuries or neurological conditions prefer to remain at home as long as there is adequate support, and our dedicated staff will be crucial in enabling us to provide this service.

“Castel Froma Neuro Care has developed its services for more than 150 years, changing with the times. It’s now time to explore whether our existing sites are the best way to meet the care needs of our residents. The outcome of the review, and any resulting proposals, will be communicated to staff and residents as soon as possible.”

Wednesday 21st December at 14:00

Local independent businesses will be joining us at Helen Ley, selling a variety of gifts and festive products.

 

We are pleased to be opening our doors to friends and relatives and would love it if you could join us.

 

Residents wishing to purchase items at the market will need to have money available to them for the event.

We are so grateful for a generous grant offered to us by The Hobson Charity of up to £3,864. The grant was used to restart social outings and activities for our residents, specifically to cover outdoor social activities, transport and entrance fees.

Our dedicated Therapy team arranged an exciting event for residents, who were transported by Jumbulance to Coombe Abbey to enjoy the Luminate Lights Trail.  Residents enjoyed the enchanting journey along the mesmerising trail with some of their relatives and friends with the support of the whole Castel Froma Neuro Care team. The mile long trail through the historic grounds of Coombe Abbey Park included stunning lighting elements and fabulous light plays all set to ambient music.

Our Deputy Chief Executive, Elizabeth Jackson, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Specialist Section – Neurological Practice (SSNP) for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. The SSNP is made up of a dynamic group of members who are all passionate about helping individuals living with neurological conditions to maximise their potential. The SSNP seeks to develop, promote, and influence the occupational therapist’s role in neurological rehabilitation by supporting clinical best practice, shining a light on the most up to date evidence and research and commenting on and influencing national policy. Members across the UK share ideas, reflect and develop clinical practice and contribute to the specialist sections objectives.

It is an opportunity for neurological OTs to get involved in projects, research, personal and professional development.  Elizabeth looks forward to being a part of the creation of a platform for our community to achieve this.

We are thrilled to share that the National Lottery Community Fund has awarded Castel Froma Neuro Care £9,988.00 for the creation of a new sensory room at Lillington House, to provide our community with wellbeing interventions and create a personalised experience for each beneficiary.  Sending out a BIG thank you to National Lottery Community Fund and the National Lottery players for making this possible! #NationalLottery

Watch this space for pictures of our newly created sensory room in due course!  Seen here with our Community Fund cheque are Elizabeth Jackson – Deputy Chief Executive, Kylie Gates – Therapy Manager, Nicole Fyfe – Physiotherapy Team Lead, Jennifer Phillips – Occupational Therapy Team lead and Katie McCourt – Trainee Psychologist.

May 2022

Members of the Management team are putting on their trainers and getting muddy to raise funds for the CFNC charity by running the Wolf Run on 23rd April. Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated, and please spread the word!

Please follow this link to sponsor

On 28th January 2022, we were pleased to welcome Jeremy Wright, MP for Kenilworth & Southam, to our Helen Ley House site to view the tree that has been planted with a plaque in remembrance of residents whose passing during the last two years could not be marked publicly under strict pandemic restrictions and in acknowledgement of the amazing staff for their dedication and resilience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: ‘It is always a pleasure to visit the Helen Ley Care Centre and meet its residents and the staff who look after them so well. The new tree in the grounds we gathered near is a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives during the pandemic and to all the efforts made by the entire team to provide care of high quality in very difficult circumstances. They deserve all our thanks and praise.’