






Ideally located in the heart of Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, Crouched Friars is just a one minute stroll from the town centre shops and amenities.
The sympathetically restored part Grade II listed home supports a small community of residents and their priority is in delivering care that maintains the dignity and individuality of each person, providing both physical and mental stimulation for those with residential care needs. Crouched Friars is...
Care Provided by Crouched Friars
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 56 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
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Crouched Friars for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Crouched Friars 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
Owner
- S A & J O Care Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Paulina Eagle (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2022
Room Information
- Single Rooms (56)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (50)
Visiting
- Due to Covid restrictions, please contact the home prior to any family visits.
Crouched Friars Reviews (57)
Crouched Friars has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.716) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Crouched Friars has 57 reviews.
When my sister was no longer able to care for my brother-in-law who had dementia, we found Crouched Friars, who took over the caring. My brother-in-law fitted in straight away, he was happy there, which made us feel we did the right thing, on every visit they made a fuss of my brother-in-law and his lovely lady. A month ago my brother-in-law was taken to hospital, unfortunately it was serious, he was welcomed back to his second home, the care he received in his last days was amazing. It would be unfair to mention any names, the whole team deserve our thanks from his loving family.
Thank you for your amazing review of Crouched Friars. Your kind words will mean a lot to all who cared for your brother-in-law.
Mum, who suffers from Vascular Dementia, has now been in Crouched Friars for 3 months. All the staff are kind, considerate and patient with a sense of humour. As a family, we couldn't ask any more of Crouched Friars and are happy we have found such a good place for Mum to spend the rest of her days.
Thank you, Richard, for your kind words on the care your mother receives. All at the home appreciate the positive review.
The home is always clean and tidy and does not have the usual care home off-putting smell.
Many Thanks for your wonderful review; it's appreciated by all at Crouched Friars.
I recommend the home to everyone I speak to.
Many thanks for your wonderful review of Crouched Friars, it is appreciated by all.
Mum has dementia and the staff there go out of their way to make sure she is looked after, safe and importantly happy.
Well done to the manager and all of the staff for your incredible work.
It's very much appreciated your kind words on Crouched Friars residential home and the positive feedback you gave on the manager and her team.
The entire home is clean, fresh and tidy, and my sister's room is beautiful, having been personalized with her items and pics, the entire home is well decorated and smells clean and fresh. The food served is excellent and delicious.
Management is amazing, and this is reflected in the care given and the patience and warmth every member of staff showed, this is what all care homes should be like a wonderful excellent environment.
Thank you for your wonderfully positive review of the care home. It's a real credit to the team at Crouched Friars and all they do that we get such nice feedback.
My nan was merely existing in her own home and concedes she wishes she'd have made the move to Crouched Friars years ago.
Despite the challenges of caring for our elderly loved ones, the staff seem genuinely happy and the fact there are several generations of the same family working at Crouched Friars speaks for itself.
Thank you for your wonderful review of Crouched Friars Residential Home.
Very kind and helpful staff. Much effort is made to engage and entertain the residents. A very caring environment. Communication is great but maybe a more efficient system could be devised for relatives to phone residents.
Thanks for your fantastic review of our care home. All connected with Crouched Friars will appreciate it.
My mum always tells me how caring everyone is in the home and she is always chatting with friends and staff. It always feels like I am going into a family home - in fact, I think of Crouched Friars as an extended family. All the staff are lovely and very caring. I know that my mum is very happy and well looked after.
We are very happy you gave such a nice review of Crouched Friars. It's greatly appreciated.
My father has been at the home since February 21 and has settled in very well. He has had a couple of falls, one that led him to break his hip and had to be operated on, the home was excellent in their response in getting him to the hospital and a carer stayed with him until I arrived and thankfully he has now recovered from the operation. He has just celebrated his 100th birthday and the home has done him proud with a small party for family, I have no problems with the home and Dad knows he is being taken care of, and the staff are very caring and helpful.
Thank you for your great review of Crouched Friars Residential Home.
Crouched Friars is one big happy family and my mother-in-law is very happy there. We have a family wedding soon and the care home is going to support her there, nothing is too much trouble.
Many thanks for your wonderful review. We are glad you are happy with all Crouched Friars does.
Mum has been a resident at Crouched Friars since January 2023. The staff are very kind and caring in a friendly yet professional way. All areas are lovely and clean and bright and kept to a very high standard. Mum settled in very quickly because she was made to feel at home straight away and there is a lovely rapport between staff and residents who share a joke with Mum and keep her spirits up. The afternoon activities she enjoys especially if music is involved but she likes the exercise and quiz afternoons too. A lovely home for Mum to be happy and safe and cared for.
Many thanks for your lovely review of the home, it's appreciated by all at Crouched Friars.
I am very happy with the home, my dad has been at this home since August 2021 and he seems settled and very well looked after. The staff are very helpful and answer questions to the best of their knowledge and their interaction with residents, colleagues and visitors are lovely and appropriate. I cannot recommend it more highly, the home is comfortable, clean and very homely!
Thank you for your wonderful review of our home. It is appreciated by all from Crouched Friars.
I feel very lucky that he is surrounded by so much love and support. Thank you to the whole team.
Thank you for your good review of our home. The team at Crouched Friars will appreciate all the kind words you have said about the care we give at the home.
The ethos of the home is that it is a family and that is evident every time we visit. It truly is Dad's home now and he is safe, happy and very well looked after. The effort and planning to make us feel welcome is phenomenal. We have had a number of milestone events whilst Dad has been at Crouched Friars Care Home, big birthdays, anniversaries and visiting overseas relatives and on each occasion, all the stops were pulled out to make sure we had a fantastic celebration. The garden room has been decorated for us a few times, extra effort with catering from the kitchen and staff joining in our celebrations. We really couldn't ask for more! There really are not enough words to say how thankful we are to management and all the staff at Crouched Friars for their continuing love and care for Dad.
Your kind review of Crouched Friars is appreciated by all and testimony to all at the home. Many Thanks for the excellent feedback.
I am always impressed with the cleanliness and tidiness of her room and communal areas. Carers are always welcoming and show kindness and care for everyone in the room.
I have found the management and office staff always friendly, very helpful and super efficient.
Mum's room is bright and well-decorated and the walled garden is very pretty and inviting.
Happy Mum, happy me.
Many thanks for such a brilliant review of the home which is full credit to the team at the home and all the hard work they do. All connected to Crouched Friars will appreciate the kind words you have given about the care your mum receives.
The staff also encourage her to be more mobile and active and she has gained some more independence - she definitely seems to be more of her "old self" and has regained more of her mischief and humour, which has to be a good thing! She has a lot more to talk about and her quality of life seems much better than trying to continue to live alone when she really needs the care and support Crouched Friars Care Home are providing.
Thank you for your kind words about our home. It will be appreciated by all at Crouched Friars.
I seldom saw carers on the first floor, took flasks of tea in as Mum was thirsty every day, and when Mum buzzed for toilet assistance the carer asked her to wait until after resident's teas had been served! Mum has mixed dementia.
From his point of view, he felt safe, well cared for, was treated with respect and comfortable in his room.
His stay was during the Coronavirus lockdown, and I was able to speak to him with a perspex screen separating us. I was temperature checked, completed a questionnaire, wore a mask, and we both felt safe.
My contact with staff/management, in person or via the phone, was very good, always helpful and considerate.
All in all, we are happy to recommend Crouched Friars.
Rod, many thanks for your kind review. It will be appreciated by all at Crouched Friars.
My father has two kinds of dementia and had come to Crouched Friars after a two-week hospital stay which had left him in a very distressed state. They settled him in really well, and he is now the happiest I have seen him for a very long time. He is stimulated and has meaningful interactions now. The home has given me excellent advice and demonstrated good communication as to what they and my father needs. I hope my father is able to spend the rest of his life here, as I feel comfortable he is under good care.
Many thanks for your kind review, we are all very happy that your father is doing well at Crouched Friars and you're happy with the care he is receiving.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 08 October 2022Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- 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
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (1) & Events (0)
- 01 Apr 2025
Colchester-based care home, Crouched Friars, has established a men’s social club so male residents can get together for a beer and a chat. After learning about the rise of men’s...
There are no upcoming events for Crouched Friars.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Crouched Friars.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Crouched Friars.
Meet the Team (3)

As Home Manager, I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the home and ensuring we are consistently delivering a high-quality care service. I have worked in care for the last 10 years and am very passionate about Crouched Friars, it’s a lovely home and we provide high-quality care.

As a Deputy Manager, I am responsible for the safe delivery of care, ensuring the care team are able to be person-centred and following unique care plans for each and every resident. I mentor and support all members of the senior care team to provide inspiration and confidence.

I’m a highly organised and friendly person, and have experience working as an administrator and accountant in previous roles. I have many responsibilities including being the first point of contact for the home, payroll and resident and personnel management. I take a keen interest in the well-being and welfare of our residents and staff.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Crouched Friars to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Crouched Friars has an Enhanced Service -more info.