Gloucestershire charity, Lilian Faithfull Care, is celebrating a milestone moment this summer 2026, as it turns 80 years old.
Established in 1946, the charity is named after Lilian Faithfull herself, and continues her mission to provide support and care to older people in Gloucestershire to this day.
Lilian had a reputation for breaking new ground for women and was the vice-principal of Cheltenham Ladies' College from 1906 to 1922.
She converted one of its boarding houses into a Red Cross hospital during World War I, and became one of England's first female magistrates when she became Justice of the Peace for Cheltenham in 1920.
Seeing first-hand how older people in Cheltenham were struggling in the years immediately after the Second World War, while the town and its community was rebuilding and food rationing continued, Lilian highlighted the lack of support for older people and uttered her now-famous quote: 'Something must be done'. With that, Lilian Faithfull Care was born.
From its first modest home, the charity provided safety, companionship, dignity, and respect to older people, helping them to live well – a principle which is still at the heart of its work 80 years on.
The charity grew alongside the demand for its services, and in 1974 it opened its first nursing home, St Faith's in Cheltenham.
Today, the charity supports people across four care homes, two adult day care hubs, and independent living accommodation across Gloucestershire.
Its services span independent living and supported adult day care through to residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as end-of-life care.
With services that work alongside people as their circumstances and needs change, the charity aims to provide continuity, familiarity and choice throughout later life, while maintaining its person-centred approach, where every decision is based on what is right for the people it supports, rather than shareholders or profits.
It also recognises the importance of life stories and works closely with residents to share and preserve their memories, as well as providing opportunities for fun, joy, and connection through activities like its Dementia Disco, seasonal fetes, bike rides for residents, and more.
Lilian Faithfull Care's head of marketing, Lee Bessell, said: 'For 80 years, families across Gloucestershire have trusted us to care for someone they love. That's a huge privilege, and it's something we never take for granted.
'For us, good care is about so much more than meeting someone's care needs. It's about knowing the person, understanding what matters to them, and building genuine relationships. It's about creating somewhere that feels like home, where people feel known, valued, and part of a community.
'And often, it's the little things that make the biggest difference: a familiar face, sitting down for a chat, sharing a laugh, remembering how someone takes their tea, or simply being there when they need you.
'That sense of care, trust, and community has been at the heart of Lilian Faithfull Care for 80 years. It's what makes us who we are, and it's something we're incredibly proud to carry forward.'
To find out more about Lilian Faithfull Care, visit lilianfaithfull.co.uk.
