
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.
The staff are all well tuned to Mum's moods and needs, i.e. she suffered from anxiety and recently the night staff found her awake, dressed and ready for me (I arrive at 9.30am daily) at 2.30am!
They reassured her I would be arriving, gave her an early breakfast and sat with her until she was calmer.
Warm, friendly atmosphere. Kind, helpful carers. My only complaint is the use of agency nurses who we don't know and don't seem very well trained.
Generally warm natured staff. My parents insist Blackbrook staff are better behaved when visitors are present. Staff seem pushed for time and have little empathy and treat residents with a condescending attitude and tend to treat like children. There seems to be staff that work for money and don't really like the work. Then 50% of the staff seem to truly care and work in the care home as they enjoy caring work. Get rid of the staff who only want wages. They're not in it for the right reason. Care!
We maintain our staffing levels using consistent agency staff whilst we are recruiting. We monitor care delivery to ensure that staff show respect and dignity are shown towards all our residents. Our staff have regular supervisions when any lapses in performance will be discussed and how we can...
My mother who is in Palliative care is being looked after with dignity and kindness. I visit on a regular basis and there is no problem with access. I am always made to feel welcome and the staff are always courteous and responsive. They attend to my mother's problems promptly and effectively. Her room is kept clean and tidy.
After a bad fall and two weeks in hospital my husbands existing dementia had worsened considerably. He was also doubly incontinent. I managed for nearby two months (I am 90 in August) but even with some help when he had bad nights and fell more the children insisted we find a respite home. As soon as he was welcomed at Blackbrook House he became more relaxed and happier. The care was vastly superior, the staff warm and competent and the surroundings spacious and excellently equipped. He went in on April 19th and we have all agreed he should stay there. He seems settled and tranquil and we can visit him at any time. My daughter (main help) and I and all the family feel great relief that he is well cared for and so I think does he.
My dear mum saw out her last days at Blackbrook House. The staff couldn't do enough for her and she loved them all. In fact I hesitate to use the word 'Staff' !! They were more than that. They were friends, who really cared.
The manager and all the staff are all very friendly and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. We know mum can be a bit difficult at times, but the staff are very considerate and we are very happy about mum's care.
Nice place. My grandfather is in good hands, nice location and feels safe and clean.
I have never known such kind and caring staff. The food is good and a great choice. Lovely big dining room. The home seems just like a lovely place. It is so nice to have 3 little drawing rooms, lovely curtains and furnishings. My mother is so happy there. At the moment is a lovely Christmas feeling with decorations.
As soon as my brother and I walked into Balckbrooke House we were sure it was the right place for our mother. The atmosphere is always good and are always greeted with friendliness by all the staff. We feel mum has had excellent care and the patience as the staff are fantastic! We also appreciate the support our family has received from the staff.
My friend is happy and well at Blackbrook House she likes living there and she says the staff are kind and friendly. Her room looks clean and tidy although she did have bed bugs which were dealt with very quickly, and it did upset her. She loves the food and gets on well with the staff. Occasionally her underwear has gone missing (not sure if she put them in the rubbish bin herself).
My friend likes it at Blackbrook, the staff are friendly and there's activities every day. She likes the food and has a good view from her window. I think she would like a few trips out into the local area, possibly if they had a minibus to take them out.
It is always difficult to realise that someone you love can no longer cope on their own. Finding "Blackbrook" and, more importantly the staff who work there was a blessing. I cannot praise them high enough.
Lovely welcoming home. Friendly compassionate staff. Clean with fresh flowers. Good understanding of individuals needs.
Very welcoming reception by the manager on first visit to Blackbrook House Care. Lovely open and spacious communal rooms but good security. Excellent continuity of staff who are always friendly and my mother holds in high regard. The staff have a positive and encouraging "can do" attitude. My sister has eaten meals with our mother. The meals were tasty and well presented. As a family we are always pleased to visit Blackbrook House Care where "Granny" is as happy as she could be.
I think the home has everything to make you comfortable, you don't have to worry about anything. It is all done for you. I use the home from time to time and they are always there to help.
Mu uncle is very happy to live at Blackbrook House, he likes the staff and enjoys his meals there. I find the staff approachable and friendly, always ready to answer any queries I have, which is great as I live in wales (five hours away by car)
Excellent care of my father, not only paying attention to his needs but also treating him as an individual and allowing for the fact that sometimes what he wants is different to what they want for him. Very important in this day and age where most residents can be just a number. Very caring staff, also willing to talk to you. Makes me feel very confident that my father is looked after. He is always treated very well.
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)
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