Our History
Committed to care since 1897
Set up originally as the Distressed Gentlefolks’ Aid Association, Elizabeth Finn Homes’s history dates back to 1897 when at the age of 72, pioneering Victorian Elizabeth Finn set out to help those who had fallen on hard times.
Elizabeth saw people around her who had been self-sufficient in the past battling with poverty and illness, and focused the efforts of the Association on raising and distributing funds to those who had nowhere to turn.
Following World War II there was a shortage of care homes for older people and in January 1948 the Victorian house known as Merlewood in Virginia Water, Surrey, became the first care home purchased by the Association.
Over the years Elizabeth Finn Homes has provided care for over 12,000 residents.
In every sense she was a model Victorian. She spoke seven languages, was a talented musician, read widely and was a devout Christian. Like Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Fry, she devoted her life to charitable works.
Elizabeth Finn, 1825 - 1921
Our History
Our first home
In 1948 Victorian residence, Merlewood became the first residential home as part of the Distressed Gentlefolks’ Aid Association.
Located in Virginia Water, Surrey, the house was previously owned by Sir Thomas Smith and his wife Lady Elsie Smith who put the property up for sale when living there became increasingly impractical.
Merlewood was adapted to provide residential accommodation for 36 elderly people and housed an inter-denominational chapel in Sir Thomas’s old study. In 1960 an extension added further 17 rooms to the ground floor.
Learn about our history
Elizabeth Finn (nee McCaul) was born.
Elizabeth was living in Jerusalem with her diplomat husband James.
During this time, she founded The Jerusalem Literary Society, to explore the natural and ancient history of the region objectively and free from religious controversy. Later she founded the “Sarah Society” which made home visits to poor women, providing relief in the form of rice, sugar and coffee.
At the age of 72, Elizabeth established the Distressed Gentlefolk’s Aid Association (DGAA), struck by the plight of local older people who were living destitute. Elizabeth and her daughter Constance founded the charity which went on to help and assistance to relieve the problems of old age, illness, social isolation and disability.
Elizabeth remained active in the charity until her death in 1920, attending a Board meeting just 2 months prior to her passing in 1921.
The DGAA provided grants for the immediate relief of older and disabled people, and empowered individuals still able to work to find employment through targeted support and micro-loans.
The DGAA purchased its first property, Merlewood in Surrey, to be run as a residential care home established in response to a shortage of homes for the elderly and as part of the charity’s work to alleviate poverty. Merlewood is a handsome Victorian house, set in 23 acres of grounds overlooking the Surrey hills near Virginia Water.
Later growing to eight homes across England. In the last two decades, the homes have been run on a commercial basis, generating rent and profit in support of charity Turn2us’s wider work.
Rush Court opened. An elegant, Queen Anne style house standing in its own grounds amidst the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside just outside Wallingford.
Rashwood opened. A beautiful country house set in six acres of landscaped grounds two miles from Droitwich.
Halliwell opened. A modern, purpose-built care home set in beautiful grounds on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells.
The Lodge opened. An elegant Victorian house standing in an acre of landscaped gardens, located on Spicer Road close to the centre of Exeter.
Eversfield opens. A handsome Victorian mansion in a leafy suburban street, just a short distance from the centre of Reigate.
The Cotswold Home opened. Built in the traditional Cotswold style, is located in Bradwell Village just outside the attractive town of Burford.
Grove Court opened. A purpose-built care home set in 9 acres of landscaped grounds near Woodbridge, Suffolk.
In May 2015 the charity folded all of its work under the Turn2us name and a new logo and strap-line produced to reflect the changes. As a result of this all charitable activity previously undertaken by Elizabeth Finn Care now takes place under the Turn2us brand.
Elizabeth Finn Homes continues to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turn2us, running eight care homes across England.
