Boutique Care Homes Breaks Ground on Catherine Grove in Deal
Boutique Care Homes marked a significant milestone in March 2026 with the groundbreaking ceremony for Catherine Grove, its newest care home in Deal, Kent. The event brought together past and present as members of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, former convent staff, local community figures, and project partners gathered on the historic 3.5-acre site to celebrate the start of construction.
The afternoon included a tour of the site, a ceremonial digging, and a lunch where guests shared memories of the convent and discussed how Catherine Grove will carry forward 153 years of compassion and community service on this much-loved piece of Deal.
Honouring a Legacy of Care
The name Catherine Grove reflects the site’s rich history. Catherine honours Miss Catherine Boys, who founded the Deal Orphanage on Middle Street in 1870. At her request, Adèle Euphrasie Barbier, founder of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions, sent Sisters to continue her work caring for orphans and children. For over 150 years, the convent has been a place of love, education, and support at the heart of Deal. Boutique Care Homes will carry that mission forward, providing exceptional care for the town’s elderly residents.
Sister Kathleen McGuire RNDM, who selected Boutique Care Homes to take on the site, said: “After my visit, I was very happy to see the wonderful work that will continue where our convent once stood. I knew that your care home will be a great asset for all the people in Deal. When I visited your care home, Chartwell House, it was a joy to see and feel the great care and love the residents were receiving. To me, this is continuing the work of what our little home was in Deal, and I am sure that Catherine Grove will be the same for all the lovely residents from Deal. The Sisters will accompany you in our prayers that all will go well for you.”
Former convent cook of 15 years, Linda Richardson, added: “It was nice to see the progress you have made and to understand the future plans. I have many fond memories of the convent, and it is good to see that your vision will carry on making more for your future residents.”
Linda Riches, housekeeper at the convent for many years, said: “After working at the old convent for many years, I was very pleased to be invited to the groundbreaking ceremony. After looking around the site, there were refreshments provided and an opportunity to view the plans. It was an extremely enjoyable and informative afternoon. I feel that the care home will be an asset to the Deal community.”
Rooted in the Community
The ceremony reinforced how deeply Catherine Grove is already woven into the lives of Deal residents. Karen Riddell, Head Teacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, said: “It was wonderful to hear that you are happy to work alongside the children at our school and involve them in the future development of your fabulous care home. The children visited the convent regularly to sing songs, read books, and chat to the nuns. We hope that this is something we can continue to do with your residents in the future.”
Gerald Watkins, a pupil at the convent school from 1958 to 1965, reflected on the day: “As a former pupil, I was overjoyed that the ethos of the convent, with its long history in the care of orphans and children, is being maintained and now developed with the care of the elderly. It is a fitting tribute to Miss Catherine Boys, who founded the orphanage in the 19th century, and the Religious Sisters who followed her example. With that in mind, it was a joyous day, and the captured smile of Sr Kathleen in your photos is the testimony to the project.”
Cllr Mike Eddy, Mayor of Deal, said: “The Mayoress, Christine Oliver, and I were delighted to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony at the Catherine Grove care home. We were able to see the plans for the new home and look forward to the project’s completion and to the first residents making their homes there.”
The Vision for Catherine Grove
Tom Duck, Development Director at Boutique Care Homes, said: “Breaking ground on Catherine Grove is about far more than starting construction. It is about continuing a legacy of care that has defined this site for over a century. We have been deeply moved by the trust the Sisters placed in us and by the warmth of Deal’s community throughout this journey. Our aim is to create a home that honours that heritage while bringing our approach to person-centred care and life enrichment to the people of Deal. Catherine Grove will be a place where residents thrive, families find peace of mind, and the community comes together, just as this site has always done.”
Dan Hollis, Managing Director at Apex, the principal contractor responsible for the build, said: “At Apex, we take great pride in delivering projects that make a genuine difference, and this is no exception. This development is of real significance to the area, and we are pleased to be contributing our expertise to a facility that will support the community, strengthen the local landscape, and stand as something all involved can be proud of.”
About Catherine Grove
Due to open in late 2027, Catherine Grove will offer 83 beautifully designed ensuite bedrooms, seven retirement bungalows, and a range of amenities including a bistro, hobby room, family lounge, and lawn bowling green. Set within a peaceful woodland with more than 250 mature trees, the home will be just a 10-minute walk from Deal High Street.
The project is being built by Apex Construction and designed by RM Design Group, and will create over 80 full-time jobs for the local area. Catherine Grove will provide personalised residential care, specialist dementia care (Nostalgia Care), and short stays, all supported by Boutique Care Homes’ Life Enrichment Programme built around six principles of wellbeing: Contribute, Grow, Reflect, Feel, Move, and Connect.
