Our Charity & History
New Directions has been caring for adults with learning difficulties in the Rugby Community for over 65 years.
Timeline
History of Richmond Lodge / 27 Bilton Road
- 27 Bilton Road is now the head office of New Directions. Over the decades, it has served many different purposes for both New Directions and Rugby Mencap. Discover more about its history here.
1950s
- In 1951 a respite service was created by parents of children with a learning disability who relentlessly fundraised to cover costs (see photo opposite)
1960s
- In 1954 Rugby Mencap was founded
- In 1964, 27 Bilton Road 'Richmond Lodge' was purchased.
- In 1965 Richmond Lodge officially opened, following extensive refurbishment works.
1970s
- In 1970/71 a nursery provision 'The Opportunity Group' was established for children under 5 with learning disabilities.
- In 1977, Gateway House was opened which provided additional accommodation for 10 individuals with learning disabilities.
1980s
- In 1987, Richmond Lodge undertook a three-storey extension, doubling its accommodation to 14 rooms, as well as providing a new site for the playgroup.
- In 1989, Gateway House was extended and refurbished, increasing it's capacity from 10 to 12 rooms.
1990s
- By 1991 we had grown to the point where we became a charitable limited company.
- Due to an growing need for accommodation, Vicarage Road was purchased in 1993. It provided independent living for six residents.
- In 1998 the company acquired a further property at Elsee Road. At this point the company owned four homes providing care for 42 residents.
2000s
- 2005 saw us diversifying into Home Care to support individuals’ changing needs
- 2006 the company changed its name to New Directions
- 2007 our Day Activities Centre opened at our Richmond Lodge site
- In 2008 our Sensory Room opened offering a multi-sensory experience to local people with a learning disability of all ages
2010s
- In 2010 we began our new building development, Milner House, which opened in June 2011 to provide modern ground floor short stay and respite accommodation to benefit a wide range of people
- In 2012 we opened Community Choices Network in Tom Brown Street, Rugby, providing flexible support and activities for people with learning disabilities
- In 2013 Gateway Court & Park Lane supported living accommodation for 20 tenants was officially opened by HRH Earl of Wessex. Read more about this here.
- In 2015 our day activities service, Community Choices Network (CCN) moved to newly refurbished premises at The Exchange, Albert Street, Rugby where we also opened a new community space offering rooms suitable for a variety of uses for hire to the local community
- In January 2016 we opened Poppy Place, our new purpose built residential home for people with learning and physical disabilities. Read more about this here.
- In 2016 we took over the management of Lennon Court in Rugby, providing support to 26 more people including other services
- In 2017 our new development, Richmond Court opened providing 11 x 1 bedroom flats with a communal lounge and garden. Read more about this here.
- In 2019 our new development, Kings Court opened providing 13 x 1 bedroom flats conveniently situated to access town centre amenities and CCN
2020 onwards
- In June 2020 our new development, Queens Court opened providing 15 x 1 bedroom flats conveniently situated to access town centre amenities and CCN
- In 2020 we managed an unprecedented global pandemic with Covid-19 coronavirus and the national lockdowns that followed
- In November 2023 our purpose built wheelchair accessible 10 bed residential home, Daisy Court, for people with learning and physical disabilities including those with higher needs was registered with CQC.
- In February 2026 our CEO, Paul Tolley, and Operations Manager, Emma Daffey, attended a reception at Windsor Castle hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care and Skills for Care, celebrating the incredible contributions of carers in the UK.
- In March 2026 we expanded our Respite provision at Vicarage Road, increasing our number of respite beds from 3 to 7, in order to meet the high demand we experience for this service. Read more about this here.
- In 2026 we celebrate our 75th year!
If you have any memories that you would like to feature on our timeline please get in touch below.
