Hollybank Trust

What Hollybank Trust does

Hollybank Trust is a UK registered charity (Charity Number 1043129) founded in 1954 in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, that provides integrated education, residential care and therapy services for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple disabilities. It operates Hollybank School (Ofsted Outstanding for more than 10 years, latest report 2024), Little Pips nursery, pre-school special needs support, ten residential homes across West and South Yorkshire (eight adult homes plus two Ofsted-rated children's homes including Orchard Court, Outstanding in November 2025), the ELMS adult day service, and the Bradbury Centre hydrotherapy and rebound therapy facility. Therapy is delivered via in-house Speech & Language, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams, supported by an Assistive Technology department that adapts everyday equipment (microwaves, toys, musical instruments) and deploys eye gaze, Makaton and symbol-based AAC systems. The workforce is approximately 650 people, making Hollybank Mirfield's largest employer.

The business model is dominated by services commissioned by 40 different UK local authorities, supplemented by individual donations, legacies, corporate charity partnerships (Accu, Huddersfield Town Foundation, Abbey Runners, Treka Bus, Holme Valley Lions) and small ancillary commercial income from public hydrotherapy sessions (£100 private), spa access (£40) and external swimming lessons delivered by Best Stroke Leisure Ltd. Pricing for residential placements is not publicly disclosed as it is negotiated per individual care plan with commissioners, while ELMS day packages start at £86.40 per day. Distribution is enterprise-style: a formal referrals process covers care plan review, assessment, funding negotiation and transition planning, alongside direct family enquiry channels and a regional/national events presence (Kidz to Adultz, Celebration Day). Governance is via a Board of Trustees; Anna O'Mahony is CEO and the trust has no parent company, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds and no M&A activity. Regulatory credentials include Ofsted Outstanding for school (10+ years) and Orchard Court (2025), CQC Good across several adult homes (with two Requires Improvement ratings still to remediate at Willow Court and Rowan Court), Disability Confident Employer status and Fundraising Regulator membership.

Name

Hollybank Trust

Legal name

Hollybank Trust

Website

https://hollybanktrust.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Hollybank Trust is a UK registered charity founded in 1954 that provides integrated special education, residential care and therapy services for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple disabilities across West and South Yorkshire, funded primarily by 40 local authority commissioners and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Disability Care Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Residential disability care
• Profound disability therapies
• Adult day services
• Assistive technology adaptations

Headquarters

HQ city

Mirfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Local Authority Commissioned Services: Core revenue comes from commissioned services funded by 40 different local authorities across the UK. Services include residential care, educational placements, and day services for children and adults with profound and multiple disabilities.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate partners, community groups, and legacy gifts. Includes one-time donations, regular giving, and gifts in wills.
3. Legacy and Memorial Gifts: Legacies left in wills and memorial donations made in lieu of flowers or to mark anniversaries of loved ones.
4. Community Engagement Revenue: Income from community fundraising events including raffles, sponsored activities, and corporate social responsibility days.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Hollybank Trust operates an integrated charity delivering special education (Ofsted Outstanding-rated Hollybank School, Little Pips nursery, pre-school services for 0-18 year olds), residential care (eight adult homes and two children's homes across West and South Yorkshire), the ELMS adult day enrichment service, and therapy services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and assistive technology. The Trust also runs the Bradbury Centre for hydrotherapy, rebound therapy and public spa sessions. Services are commissioned by approximately 40 UK local authorities and accessed through a structured enquiry, assessment, and funding arrangement process.

Product overview

Hollybank Trust operates an integrated portfolio of care, education, and therapy services for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple disabilities. The offering is a multi-site platform comprising: Hollybank School (Ofsted Outstanding-rated special needs school and nursery for ages 0-18); eight adult residential homes (Willow Court with nursing, The Beeches, Conkers, Holly Court, Sycamores, and Rowan Court) and two children's residential homes (Orchard Court and Brambles), all across West and South Yorkshire; the ELMS adult enrichment day service with dozens of activity sessions; and the Bradbury Centre providing hydrotherapy and rebound therapy. Therapy services span speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and an Assistive Technology department that adapts everyday equipment. The Trust also provides a digital ELMS Portal for families. Services are commissioned by approximately 40 local authorities across the UK, serving over 150 individuals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hollybank School: Outstanding-rated special educational needs school for children aged 5-18 with profound and multiple disabilities.
• Little Pips
• ELMS Activity Centre
• The Bradbury Centre
• The Meadows
• Rowan Court
• Willow Court
• Orchard Court
• Brambles
• Sycamores

Products and services

• Hollybank School (Special Needs School, 5-18 Years Old) An Ofsted-rated Outstanding special needs school for children and young people aged 5-18 with profound and multiple disabilities, offering full-time education alongside integrated therapy services.
• Little Pips (Special Needs Nursery, 2-5 Years Old) A special needs nursery for children aged 2-5 years providing early years education and developmental support.
• Pre-School Special Needs Support (0-5 Years Old) Early intervention support services for babies and young children with complex needs from birth to 5 years.
• Willow Court (Nursing Home) A 19-bedroom dedicated nursing home on the Mirfield site, Hollybank's largest residential home, with three bungalow wings, three communal lounges, a music room, media room, beauty room, and 24-hour qualified nursing provision.
• Rowan Court A 15-bed adult residential home in Holmfirth (Thongsbridge) with en-suite rooms, communal living spaces, an interactive room, outdoor gardens, and views from two balconies across the Holme Valley.
• The Beeches A 13-bed adult residential bungalow on the Mirfield site, one of three homes in The Meadows, with en-suite bedrooms opening onto a shared patio with countryside views and a garden featuring residents' fruit and vegetable planters.
• Conkers A 7-bed young adult residential home on the Mirfield site (Meadows), featuring a music room with iMuse technology, en-suite rooms, and a shared patio area.
• Holly Court A 15-bed adult residential home on the Mirfield site, split across three wings, with three lounges, three communal assisted bathrooms, and three kitchen/dining areas.
• Sycamores An 8-bedroom fully accessible adult residential home located in South Kirkby, supporting adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
• Orchard Court (Children's Home) A 7-bed children's residential home in Mirfield with wheelchair-adapted en-suite rooms, tracking hoists, and paintings selected for the children, rated Outstanding by Ofsted in November 2025.
• Brambles (Children's Home) An 8-bed children's residential home in Mirfield with wheelchair-adapted en-suite rooms and tracking hoists, taking a safe and person-centred approach.
• ELMS Activity Centre (Day Service) An adult enrichment day service for adults aged 18+ with profound and multiple learning disabilities, offering a wide range of activity sessions including music technology, art, sports, gardening, and sensory activities.
• The Bradbury Centre (Hydrotherapy and Rebound Therapy) A multi-therapy centre on the Mirfield site comprising a 10m x 5m sensory hydrotherapy pool (32-33°C), a spa pool, and an activities room with a 9ft x 7ft trampoline for rebound therapy, serving children, young people and adults with complex disabilities and the general public for paid weekend/evening sessions.
• Physiotherapy Services Specialist physiotherapy delivered by an experienced team working across the whole Trust, providing 24-hour postural management, tailored therapy programmes, hydrotherapy and rebound sessions, equipment assessments, and in-house clinics.
• Occupational Therapy Services Occupational therapy services that assess and adapt living/learning environments, provide specialist equipment, modify tasks to individual abilities, and support independence in everyday activities.
• Speech and Language Therapy Services Speech and language therapy supporting communication rights, providing assessments, AAC aids (including eye gaze), Makaton, eating/drinking and dysphagia support, and assistive technology for communication.
• Assistive Technology (AT) Department An in-house AT team that adapts everyday equipment (microwaves, toasters, toys, computers, musical instruments) so they can be controlled by children, young people and adults with limited motor skills, including communication devices and switches.
• ELMS Portal A private online portal for ELMS service users and families, providing access to newsletters, upcoming activities, and a gallery of images.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ofsted Outstanding rating sustained for more than 10 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Holme Valley LionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Holmfirth-based community support group that raised over £3,000 through raffles for Rowan Court sensory room equipment. The Lions provide ongoing community-based fundraising support and have given tours of the facilities to show impact of donations.
• AccumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccu has chosen Hollybank Trust as their Charity of the Year. The partnership includes volunteering activities such as garden maintenance, fostering connections with pupils for social skills practice, disability awareness training, assistive technology engineering workshops, and participation in annual Celebration Day. Accu is supporting Hollybank's digital transformation journey through their engineering expertise.
• Abbey RunnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership spanning nearly 12 years. Abbey Runners organize the annual Eccup 10 race in Leeds, with proceeds donated to Hollybank Trust. Total funds raised approximately £30,000, used to support general trust-wide activities and celebration events.
• Huddersfield Town FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership spanning nearly 15 years with total value approximately £57,000. Previous Charity of the Year in 2018, with Pedals for Pound fundraising used to fund a fully adapted kitchen at the Elms centre. Partnership includes match day season cards and ticket offers for staff.
• University of LeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong links with University of Leeds for work experience placements in nursing, therapy, and primary education areas. Partnership for student placements supporting the charity's staffing pipeline.
• University of YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong links with University of York for work experience placements. Collaboration on sustainability project with a student creating a sustainability plan for Hollybank which is being implemented.
• Greenhead CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Greenhead College in Huddersfield providing virtual workshops on different careers available within Hollybank and how to break into these sectors.
• Leeds Arts UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with photography students to take photographs of adults supported by the charity, focusing on removing stigma of disability and bringing people together for shared experience.
• Growing WorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal allotment project where adults from Hollybank's Mirfield site attend weekly sessions to plant vegetables such as tomatoes and green beans, promoting community presence and meaningful activity.
• Dr Jackson Cancer FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProducts made by adults at Sycamores (woodwork and garden features using recyclable materials) are sold in the Dr Jackson Cancer Fund Charity Shop in Hemsworth.
• Best Stroke Leisure LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExternal company providing swimming lessons in Hollybank's hydrotherapy pool. Delivers high quality private lessons for all ages and abilities, including one-to-one lessons for children with additional needs.
• Treka BusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business that engaged with Hollybank for corporate social responsibility, wanting to see the impact of funding locally. Represented in community engagement case studies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hesley Group: Yorkshire-based specialist provider of education, residential care, and supported living for children and adults with autism and complex needs. Highly comparable integrated PMLD-style service model within the same UK region.
• National Star: Specialist further education college and residential provider in Gloucestershire for young people with complex physical and learning disabilities. Closely comparable in serving the PMLD / complex disability cohort with integrated education, residential, and therapy offerings.
• Witherslack Group: UK specialist provider of education and residential care for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) including autism and learning disabilities. Comparable integrated school + children's home model, though with broader SEN focus.
• Hft (Home Farm Trust): National UK charity providing supported living and residential services for people with learning disabilities, including those with profound disabilities. Comparable person-centred care model commissioned by LAs across multiple regions.
• Sense: UK charity supporting people with complex disabilities including deafblindness, with residential, day, and community services. Highly comparable complex-disability focus and integrated care/education/therapy structure.
• United Response: National UK charity providing person-centred support for people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs, including residential care. Comparable in LA-commissioned residential and supported living model.
• Voyage Care: Large UK specialist care provider for people with learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, and complex needs. Comparable in residential care delivery commissioned by local authorities and the NHS.
• Lifeways: UK specialist provider of supported living and residential care for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs. Comparable in delivering LA-commissioned residential placements for high-acuity service users.

Broad incumbents

• Mencap: UK's largest learning disability charity operating a national portfolio of supported living, residential, and advocacy services. Comparable in serving people with learning disabilities including PMLD, but at significantly larger scale and with broader scope.
• Outcomes First Group: UK provider of specialist education and care for children and adults with SEN, autism, and complex needs, operating schools, colleges, and residential homes. Comparable in integrated education-residential model for complex-needs cohorts, though broader SEN focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hollybank.trust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hollybank-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/hollybanktrust
• Xx.com/hollybanktrust

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hollybank Trust