A recent decision by the Wilf Ward Family Trust CEO to close Sherburn House in Knaresborough is more than just the loss of a care facility; it is the end of a lifeline for many families who depend on it for the welfare of their loved ones. Situated in the charming landscape of Knaresborough, Sherburn House is known for its exceptional complex care services to young adults which many families, including mine, cannot find elsewhere in the area.

Purpose built in 2016 to specifically cater for young people with complex needs, severe physical and learning disabilities, Sherburn House has been providing reliable care, and more, to nine remarkable individuals with compassion and professionalism. It has become an essential part of our lives, offering a safe sanctuary for its residents who require constant 24/7 support. In the surrounding areas, comparable facilities with such standards simply do not exist. This makes the presence of Sherburn House not just important but crucial.

Closing on 16th December 2025 is endangering both the wellbeing of its residents and the livelihoods of its dedicated staff. None of the residents have asked for the life they’ve  been given – each and every day is a battle for them and Sherburn House has helped them to live to see another day. To be given 8 weeks to find a suitable new home is an unrealistic and insufficient length of time to ensure thorough research, care and attention is given to the transitional process to find suitable alternative care and accommodation. No one deserves to be treated like this, let alone someone who hasn’t had the best start in life. These amazing fighters don’t deserve to be treated like cattle and sent off to wherever is most convenient to anyone but themselves. They have feelings and emotions and have the right to live in a home where they are amongst friends and feel safe, secure and looked after.

According to recent data, the number of individuals needing care services has been on the rise. With insufficient care facilities, many families are already struggling to find adequate support for their loved ones. Closing Sherburn House would only exacerbate this issue, leaving us with limited options that do not meet our needs or those of our loved ones. The impact of closing Sherburn House goes beyond mere inconvenience; it threatens the quality of care our family members receive. Losing Sherburn House means losing the trusted relationships we’ve built with the staff who understand our unique situations and needs. The way staff look after each of the residents has been individually developed and fine-tuned over the years to get to where we are today. Getting the resident to move from a familiar home environment is a very dangerous situation to be in. With new staff needing years to get to know each of the individuals, time isn’t something we have on our side and can literally be the difference between life and death.

We urge the decision makers, local authorities, and stakeholders involved to reconsider this decision and acknowledge the severe implications it will have on our community. We ask for intervention and support to ensure Sherburn House can continue to operate, providing the necessary care that is otherwise unattainable in the vicinity. 

Please join us in our fight to keep Sherburn House open. Your signature can make a difference not just for us but for future generations who will need this indispensable care service.

Sign the petition to save Sherburn House Knaresborough today.