Blackbrook House

My aunt moved into Blackbrook House in November, she has said how lovely the home is, so clean, friendly and beautifully decorated it is. The staff are all so welcoming and friendly and nothing seems too much trouble if you ask for anything. She loves her newly painted room and seems very settled. I am very pleased with her settling in so quickly.

Very welcoming, caring care home. Good staff ratio to residents. Good level of activities. One to one time spent with residents on a regular basis. Management and staff contact relatives should there be a problem, They do this in a timely manner. Communal area's are comfortable and clean. The individual residents rooms do now require an up-lift as they are looking a little tired.

I would not hesitate to recommend this care home to people considering relocating loved ones. By far, the best we looked at and we looked at a lot of homes in the Colchester area.

My suggestions for improvement include improving the outside spaces and reintroducing the family meetings to update relatives on issues and initiatives etc.

Sadly, the food was not that good, but Mum was offered other options.

I have been supported and treated very well. The staff are very good and helpful.

All in all, it's a very nice place.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Blackbrook to others.

The management are excellent as too are the team leaders and carers, cleaners, kitchen staff and all who work there. Always very approachable and do an excellent job of providing the best possible care for our loved ones.

I cannot think of a better place for her to be cared for and I would highly recommend the home to others.

As a family of her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren we can’t praise and thank the staff enough - thank you.

Staff are all really good, some excellent, all really caring and never seem to be fazed by the resident's sometimes tricky demands. Response times to buzzers can be a little slow, but I appreciate they cannot be in two places at once, and some residents do call often. Residents are well-fed and cared for. I am pleased to say both my parents are mostly happy with their home, despite wishing they had remained in their own home.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Blackbrook House to others.

Mum stayed for respite for two weeks, so it was obviously very strange for her as she didn't understand where or why she was there, so consequently kept saying she was ready to go home. When I picked her up she looked bright and animated, she was taking part in a singing group and loved that everyone made such a fuss of her. After she got home she said the food was very good and it was lovely and warm, she also wanted to see her friends again. A week later she can't remember it sadly.

It is so reassuring to visit my Dad and always find him happy and well presented. The staff work extremely hard to care for the residents and nothing is ever too much trouble. As a family we feel reassured that his needs are being met. There is always good communication from the staff and management and we are always greeted with a smile.

I am so happy that my mother is now a resident at Blackbrook House. She has been well cared for by very attentive staff who are very professional and deal with any queries quickly and efficiently. My mother has been welcomed into the home and she said herself that all the staff are so helpful and that she feels very content. Blackbrook House is very well run, it is calm, clean and very homely. I agree with other comments that the staff are all wonderfully supportive. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I sleep well knowing that my mother is in safe hands!

Very pleased so far with my mother's care at Blackbrook House. There is always a friendly atmosphere among the staff and residents.

I feel happy leaving my mum in a safe 24-hour environment.

It is always clean and the gardens are lovely and safe.

The resident was anxious at first but was able to put his trust in the staff, and eventually, enjoyed his short stay. Still recounting stories. Now would be confident to return, safe, friendly. Staff have made an excellent job in providing a home from home environment.

Everyone at the home has been fantastic! We have full confidence in all you do. Many thanks.

I can only offer thanks and high praise to the managers and the manner in which they manage - the administrator, the care staff, domestic staff - everybody is so kind and always smiling. In spite of missing her home of 60 years, my mum comments regularly on how individual is her care, that people remember what she has said, how all the staff pop in to say hello, and nothing is too much trouble. I am confident in the care she receives and grateful for it. After many years of living at a distance and being 'first on call', it is hugely reassuring knowing that she is in safe hands 24 hours a day. To anyone considering Blackbrook House as an option for their loved one, I would say don't hesitate. Your questions are always answered, and you can be confident in the care provided.