Stafford resident names town’s newest care home following community competition
A local resident has won a competition to name a brand-new care home in Stafford.
Local businessman Mike Bailey took part in the community competition to name the new Care UK home on Cannock Road, which will open to residents in August 2026.
The competition called for the people who know the area best, its residents, to share suggestions that have a cultural or historical reference to the town.
Mike came up with the winning name, ‘Hartwood’, taking inspiration from the old English term for a stag, hart, while keeping the woodland connection to Cannock Chase - the area in which the home will soon be a vital part of.
Mike said: “As the local business owner behind EweMove Estate Agents – Stafford, we’re lucky enough to work closely with so many people in our amazing community, from first-time buyers to growing families and older residents. So, when we heard about the chance to help name the new care home, we wanted to make sure the final name felt warm, rooted in local heritage, and truly meaningful to those who'll one day call it home.
“‘Hartwood’ struck the perfect balance – a nod to the area's history, but with a welcoming feel that reflects the people of Stafford. It means so much to us to have been part of something that will become such an important part of the town’s future.”
Justin Daley, Development Project Manager for Care UK, said: “The home naming process is one of the key milestones for a new home, so it was important to involve the community in the decision. All the names put forward were of a very high quality, but we felt ‘Hartwood’ really rooted the home in the local area.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone that made a name suggestion, and to Mike for his inspired entry. We are very much looking forward to the home taking shape and opening with its new name of Hartwood in summer 2026.”
Once complete, Hartwood will provide full-time residential and specialist dementia care for up to 76 older people in Stafford, as well as short-term respite care. Additionally, the home will create 90 new jobs for the local community.
The layout of the building will be configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities. The home will have a range of luxury facilities, including its own welcoming on-site café, cinema room, bar and hair and beauty salon.
For more information about Care UK’s Hartwood, visit: careuk.com/hartwood
