
he and I were cared for and treated with dignity and gentleness.Joyce B(Wife of Resident/Service User)

We recommend Blackbrook House to anyone seeking care for a loved one.Laureen W(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Eating collectively has been amazing for her and she loves her food and has gained weight.Karen C(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

he and I were cared for and treated with dignity and gentleness.Joyce B(Wife of Resident/Service User)

We recommend Blackbrook House to anyone seeking care for a loved one.Laureen W(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Eating collectively has been amazing for her and she loves her food and has gained weight.Karen C(Daughter-in-law of Resident/Service User)

Blackbrook House in Dedham is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border. The home provides residential and dementia care for up to 55 residents in comfortable ensuite rooms and continues to welcome new residents. Blackbrook House supports trial stays and shorter stays as well as permanent care.
The home ensures each individual’s health and care needs are continually met by working closely with customers and...
Care Provided by Blackbrook House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 55 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Fees can vary depending on care needs and other factors. Colleagues at Blackbrook House will be happy to discuss our weekly fees with you and what our fees include.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Blackbrook House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Blackbrook House to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Anchor
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Lucy Yarham (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2008
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (55)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (55)
Visiting
- The home welcome visitors as an integral part of day-to-day life.
Parking
- There is onsite parking, including disabled spaces.
Blackbrook House Reviews (98)
Blackbrook House has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.627) out of 10, based on 35 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Blackbrook House has 98 reviews.
My Aunt is happy & well cared for.
Dad moved into Blackbrook House a couple of months ago and has settled in extremely well. From when we first visited Blackbrook House my wife and I have been very impressed indeed with the care, professionalism and friendliness of the staff and with the quality and cleanliness of the building. Dad feels comfortable and at home at Blackbrook House and feels safe and well cared for there. He appreciates the varied activities which are available and enjoys the company of the staff and other residents. Thank you!
We were most impressed.
Unable to comment on some of the ratings.
We welcome the ability to move to a room with a shower as soon as available but otherwise everything is good.
I know dad is being well looked after which means a lot to all the family as well. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of Blackbrook House. We are delighted that you rated our staff and care as excellent. All residents have access to well-maintained, accessible bathrooms with showers. If a room with an en-suite shower becomes available, we would be happy to discuss...
There are other issues, but not enough room to write them all up on here!!!!
Thank you for taking the time to review Blackbrook House. We're sorry to see your feedback, where we work hard to provide the best care for each of our residents, with wellbeing and safety at the heart of what we do. A small repair was needed to the bedroom door during Mum's stay, where alternative...
Highly recommend.
After three months I feel that Mum is safe and well cared for. All the staff are friendly, approachable and helpful. Mum has the same feeling about the staff. The accommodation is in good order and Mum has a cosy and comfortable room. After a major change from independent living I think Mum is settled and basically happy. I would recommend the home to anyone. The staff make it a good home to live in.
Her frustration does turn into negativity, but given her disabilities, this is not surprising.
Blackbrooke House is a benchmark for other care homes so thank you to everyone.
All the staff are lovely and cant do enough for the residents. They have a range of activities that residents can take part in, should they wish. When interacting with my grandmother they are kind and thoughtful. Nothing is too much trouble. When we arrive they are always happy to update us. The staff treat all their residents with dignity. It is clear that the staff enjoy their work and care for those who are with them.
Blackbrook House. The care my friend receives from all of the staff, this includes every single person who works there, is exemplary. She has always been a very social person, and it is still in her, even though she has problems with her memory. The staff are always smiling and extremely helpful if needed. They include her in the activities, she sometimes is not sure if she want to go, then she loves joining in.
My mum moved into Blackbrook December 2025. She'd been struggling for some time, especially since my dad died, and was having increasing problems with her memory. She couldn't cope at home any longer. Within 2 weeks of moving into Blackbrook, she was a different person - happy, relaxed, content and making friends. Emily and her team have been amazing! They are the loveliest, most caring team I could have wished for. They treat the residents like family, with kindness and smiles, helping my mum and others to feel 'at home', safe, and cared for. Nothing is too much for the team. They make me feel welcome and reassured every time I visit too. Blackbrook itself is incredibly clean, lovely lounges, bright & fresh. The outside courtyard is beautiful. My mum's room is lovely. We have been able to put pictures up & decorate with personal items too. Thank you again to Emily the Team Leader, for your amazing energy, and your experience enabling my mum to feel like Blackbrook is her 'home' :-)
We have been very impressed with the care our father has received at Blackbrook. Despite his challenges he has been treated with kindness and compassion. The staff are always friendly and responsive to any questions. Clearly the home is well run and the residents well cared for.
Although my husband was only in Blackbrook House for a short time I spent several hours there and was so impressed with the patience, kindness and overall enthusiasm of the staff. Especially when he was reaching the end of his life he and I were cared for and treated with dignity and gentleness.
We recommend Blackbrook House to anyone seeking care for a loved one.
Eating collectively has been amazing for her and she loves her food and has gained weight.
My husband and I are so glad we made the decision to place her in Blackbrook and we can rest easy that she is getting all her needs met.
I originally visited 5 care homes around the Colchester district to see the facilities and suitability for my fathers needs. I choose 2 to show him, with Blackbrook being my preference but did not tell my father. After the visits with him, he choose Blackbrook. From my initial visit and for every visit subsequent all the staff were welcoming and helpful, nothing ever seemed to be a problem. Its fair to say my father probably wasn't the easiest resident the home or staff had experienced, but regardless never a word of complaint, all they did was support, adapt and help. My father was treated with a huge level of respect and provided his dignity too, right through to his last days. On that occasion the support for me was fantastic too. Thank you to everyone for your help and support to my family. Clearly good management comes from the top and that is clear to see at Blackbrook.
All of the staff superbly lead by the manager made it a lot easier and their care for her is absolutely brilliant , we held her 90th birthday tea in the upstairs lounge area with their help and we think she had a Great time surrounded by her family from 85yr old brother to 2 11 month old Great Grandchildren
Thanks again
Excellent experience of Blackbrook House. My Mum has been there nearly 2 years and she has been transformed from someone who just watched TV, was not taking care of herself and was not interested in anything or anyone around her, to someone who takes an active interest in everything. She is a very different person and I have not only got my Mum back but a happier version of my Mum than I have ever seen in spite of the fact that she was very happily married and had a lovely family! Being nurtured and looked after suits her down to the ground. She loves the staff, enjoys the activities, feels respected and cared for. I am always welcomed and the staff are very caring and friendly. I think the care and attention the staff show Mum is something she has needed for a long time and finally found! I definitely chose the right home for Mum. I am so happy she went to Blackbrook House.
My mum was very unsettled when she first came. However with the excellent care and kindness of the staff she is now in a much better way. The staff are all very kind and considerate, if I have any questions they are only too happy to answer and reassure me. I am entirely satisfied with the care she is recieving
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 18 January 2020Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeRequires improvement
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
2 Bed Vacancies
Posted: 27 July 2026We currently have two vacancies for care. Please contact Blackbrook House directly for more details.
News (7) & Events (0)
- 07 Aug 2026
Tony Hawkins, a resident at Anchor’s Blackbrook House care home in Colchester, has dedicated so much of his life to the game of snooker. In recognition of this, colleagues at...
- 19 Dec 2025
Residents and colleagues at Anchor care homes across Essex are embracing the festive spirit in style. From crafting Christmas decorations and singing carols, to decorating trees and baking festive treats,...
- 03 Nov 2025
Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing for people in later life, is proud to announce that Martin Erhagbe triumphed at the East of England regional final of...
There are no upcoming events for Blackbrook House.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Blackbrook House.
Meet the Team (0)
There are no Team Members posted yet.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackbrook House
What types of Care is Blackbrook House registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Blackbrook House have?
There are 55 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Blackbrook House?
Lift, Wheelchair Access, Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Blackbrook House to the centre of Colchester?
5.5 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Blackbrook House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Blackbrook House has an Enhanced Service -more info.