Milestones Trust, which provides support for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs in Bath & NE Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset, has today merged with White Horse Care Trust – a similar organisation that supports people with learning disabilities in Swindon and Wiltshire. The merger represents an exciting opportunity for the combined organisation, which will operate as Milestones Trust, to increase its impact and support even more people to live happy and fulfilled lives.

The two organisations both share similar histories. Milestones was formed in 1986, just a few years before White Horse in 1990 and both focused on supporting people with learning disabilities in the wake of the long stay hospital closure programme. The merged organisation will support around 530 people across more than 80 services in the region.

Hilary Crowhurst, Milestones Trust’s CEO, said: “As organisations that share similar values and that have reputations for delivering high quality care, the merger of Milestones and White Horse strengthens both, ensuring our long-term stability and sustainability.  By merging, we can expand the reach of the excellent services and support that both Milestones Trust and White Horse Care Trust are known for, establishing our merged organisation as a trusted ‘large but local’ provider in the south west.

“Our combined organisation is better able to deliver long-term and sustainable services to support even more people and I’m pleased to welcome our new colleagues and the people supported in Swindon and Wiltshire into our Trust.”

Erica Pryce, White Horse Care Trust’s CEO said: “Our top priority has been to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our colleagues, those we support, and their families.

“We are proud of the identity and culture of our Trust and we trust that Milestones will honour and celebrate our legacy and heritage. We believe that those who will be part of the future will embrace the opportunity to learn from each other and create a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative culture across the merged organisation.

“We also believe that the merger will open new possibilities for growth and development for our colleagues and those we support. We believe that this collaboration will leverage the best practice and resources and create a learning environment that supports continuous improvement and innovation.”

Joining forces will allow Milestones to achieve economies of scale while retaining the strengths and resources of both organisations. This will allow for a unified approach to addressing the challenges that face social care organisations in the UK. Utilising the decades of combined experience will allow the combined organisation to extend its reach, maximise its impact, and ensure the sustainable delivery of essential services to even more people in the region.