Opening of the new Short-Stay Unit 1976
This Unit was officially opened in September 1976 by the main benefactor Mr J Ingles in conjunction with an untiring and constant supporter - Sir Nicholas Winterton MP.

From then on many parents left their children at Rossendale Hall when they needed time to spend on their own over a weekend, a week or even months as in the case when a parent was ill or in hospital. The project served hundreds of families over the next ten years.

The first staff to operate the short stay unit comprised of a full-time officer-in-charge - Rowena Halle - a Community Service volunteer; the Founder families plus well over 80 volunteers from the local community - who together - did shifts around the clock all year long looking after the guests.

As the Rossendale Trust became more financially stable - more full-time staff were employed.

At the same time it became fairly obvious that there was also a new need to provide fully residential places.

Extensions to Short-Stay 1978 to 1983 - Founders move out!
Initially the answer was to extend the original short-stay building several times and it eventually joined on to the Hall. That was during 1982-83 over which period the founder families moved out of the main Hall, into separate properties purchased in the village of Sutton. The space created was then converted to provide additional full-time residential places.

Woodlands Lodge 1985
In 1985 the Rossendale Trust purchased Woodlands Lodge on Byron's Lane Macclesfield in order to provide even more residential places - especially for severely disabled people.

This perception was a continuation of the vision shared by the founders.

Woodlands Cottage 1987
In 1987 Woodlands Cottage adjoining the Woodlands Lodge was purchased. A lot of refurbishment was needed but eventually six more residential places became available to the Rossendale Trust.

Cavendale, Buxton 1988
From the early days of short-stay care, the Trust accepted people from Derbyshire Social Services. After prolonged talks with them Cavendale became available, which, with the help of the Northern Housing Association, the Trust was able to rent.

High Peak MENCAP were involved at all stages and this large bungalow - 'Cavendale' - was opened in July 1988 - as a residential home for six people - by His Grace The Duke of Devonshire - who became Patron of the Rossendale Trust - with Sir Nicholas Winterton (MP) as the Trust's President.

Extensions at Cavendale 1993
Extensions in 1993 provided two more places.

Domiciliary Care 1997/2006
A bungalow and a house in Chapel-en-le-Frith - Leefield and The Bungalow - eminently suitable for more able residents - came under Rossendale's Management by arrangement with Derbyshire County Council.

Day Care Centre
This very pro-active Day Care Centre is now situated in the Ex-Servicemen's Club in the village of Sutton - more or less opposite the Lamb Public House and some 200 yards before you arrive at the main residence of Rossendale Hall en-route to Wincle and Buxton.