Drummonds

The Street, Feering, Colchester CO5 9QJ
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9.0 37 Reviews
  • Drummonds, Colchester
Drummonds provides innovative and inclusive care for individuals over the age of 18 with learning and/or physical disabilities in Essex. The home offers residential and respite care for up to 41 individuals.

Care offered at Drummonds is focused on independence and progression, and staff strive to deliver positive outcomes for all residents. Those at the home are supported by a team of staff who understand that residents’ needs are specific to each individual and often complex. Staff are appropriately trained to ensure they respond in the best way to support individual needs.

Residents are encouraged to communicate using the best method for them, be it through speech, sign language, symbols or objects of reference.

Drummonds also has its very own swimming pool on-site.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Learning Disability / Autism
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment
  • Younger Adults

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 45 Service Users

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Ground Floor Accommodation only
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Helen Moore (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • All admissions are subject to an assessment by the home's management team
  • Ages from 18 to 65

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2023
  • Number of floors: 1

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (45)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)

Visiting

  • 24 hour visiting welcomed

Parking

  • Ample parking outside the home.

Drummonds Reviews (37)

9.0

Drummonds has a Review Score of 9.0 (9.031) out of 10, based on 6 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Drummonds has 37 reviews.

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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Drummonds
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Total of 37, showing 21-37
Review from Irvine T (Friend of Resident) published on 17 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
An amazing place, the residents all seem happy and they are involved in choosing which new facilities they want. The wheelchair dancing is just great to watch, rarely does anyone crash into another wheelchair - what skill, and much patience by staff to achieve this. Beautiful setting and grounds. The
residents make pottery and it is good enough to sell at Open Days. Very well managed.
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Review from David P (Father of Resident) published on 5 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I think it opportune to update my review submitted in March 2017 after Black Swan had recently taken over Drummonds from Scope.
One year on I am ever more impressed by the quality of the management and staff and the care they afford the residents.
The new manager has brought a new enthusiasm and vibrancy
which has cascaded down through the organisation resulting in the staff appearing to be happy to be working there and caring for residents - and by the same token, the residents look happy and content living not in a home but in their own home.
The difference in atmosphere is palpable.
The fabric of Drummonds has been renovated to a very high standard and the quality and quantity of activities available to the residents expanded greatly.
The challenge of change, of course, is ever present but the staff, both old and new, it seems to me have grasped this opportunity to enhance the lives of the residents illustrated by the CQC deeming Drummonds outstanding in a recent review.
Well done!
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Review from Virginia H (Mother of Resident) published on 14 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Drummonds for many years and the home has recently undergone a change of ownership. Prior to this, the uncertainty about its future caused a lot of anxiety.
However, since the takeover, the company have indeed stepped up and to date achieved everything they said they would do and
is still a work in progress.
In such a short time our son has been very happy and seems very content when we have visited. This can only be down to the wonderful efforts made by the staff and new manager. Our son does not adapt to changes in any form easily and can only commend all the people involved for ensuring a good transition. The addition of new clients and staff can be overwhelming but things are settling down and we as parents, are hopeful that future changes will all be positive and that he will have a more fulfilling time.
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Review from Benjamin R (Friend of Resident) published on 12 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I visit my friend here, I’m always welcomed by the staff and asked if I need any refreshments. My friend is well cared for and looked after.
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Review from Chris (Friend of Resident) published on 11 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Friendly caring staff. Well maintained and very well presented. Beautiful modern decor. Stands apart from the perceived care home culture. The henhouse is a nice touch.
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Review from Justin R (Friend of Resident) published on 11 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I regularly visit my relative who loves living at Drummonds.
The home has a very friendly atmosphere and the residents are well looked after.
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Review from Mark (Friend of Resident) published on 11 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This home has improved dramatically since being taken over by Black Swan care group. Very homely and very high standard of care. The cinema room is fantastic.
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Review from R G (Resident) published on 10 July 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent staff - residents and staff always happy and jovial mood. Facilities constantly being upgraded with loads of activities e.g. Cinema, outings, skittles and bingo, outdoor activities including gardening and looking after hens to name a few. Very caring and attentive to residents needs.
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Review from Luke R (Friend of Resident) published on 24 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Having visited Drummonds over the last few months, there is a fantastic atmosphere now and the manager and staff are all great. I was very impressed with the new cinema room and my friend loves living there.
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Review from Elaine B (Friend of Resident) published on 24 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
On arriving, asked in Group 5 but no staff knew his name! Visited room but not there - returning to Group 5 a staff member was coming to find us as my friend was sitting in Group 5! September - visited a staff member was asked by staff to give five people drinks at about 2.30pm. By 3 pm my friend had
not yet been given anything. He has little or no speech - we asked and the staff did not know what drink he liked! We told him and said we would help our friend to drink. Hydration is very important and this was mentioned. He said there were a lot of new staff. Training needed. List of likes and dislikes should be in group for people unable to talk.
Reply from Susan, Operations Manager at Drummonds

Thank you for your comments and your time on Friday evening to discuss the experiences that you had prior to the transfer of ownership from a charity to Black Swan. Hopefully, I will have reassured you that this is not the level of care that is now being provided at Drummonds. Since we purchased the home in October 2016, we have engaged in an extensive refurbishment programme and have been involving all residents and families in the changes. We have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback. Thanks again for your time and I hope that you are able to visit again soon, to see all of these improvements.

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Review from Rita H (Mother of Resident) published on 7 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Although its early days, I am quite happy with Black Swan group taking over Drummonds.
There is a need for some handicapped people being in residential care. Living in a small bungalow with a carer would be very lonely for my daughter because she likes chatting to staff members and loves coming home
for lunch every few weeks.
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Review from Shirley J (Friend of Resident) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I visit every week. Things are improving fast. I feel black swan have a much better outlook for Drummond (now and future).
* Staff always friendly and polite.
* The resident I visit is always happy.
* Staff accommodating arranging visits to mine. Dropping off and picking up.
* Only one downside,
the residents chair is sometimes dirty.
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Review from Rachel P (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 31 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It is brilliant now that Black Swan have taken over. It feels like a home now and it's not run by a charity now. I feel more relaxed and comfortable. Changes have been made although there are lots of improvements going on at the moment. I love our new cinema room.
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Review from Ian A (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 27 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I like it and it has a good atmosphere and I am glad I never moved before Black Swan took over. Everybody cares.
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Review from Stephen W (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 27 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love it here. All my friends and kind staff to help me. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
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Review from Ken W (Resident) published on 8 January 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Compare to how it was, it is much better now. Black Swan are going to deliver on all their promises. Having been here since 1978 and I was 17 years old, my Mum and Dad looked for a place for me and in their opinion at the time Drummonds was the best place for me. Now I am older and a bit wiser and
although it can be difficult at times. I can cope with it, on the whole, providing I am treated by people in the same way as they would want me to treat them. I love being here and it has to be the right place for your relative as it was for me.
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Review from AP (Mother of Resident) published on 5 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Since 'Black Swan' took over the care provision at Drummonds in September, the promised improvements to the fabric of the building and the service to residents have proceeded at a pace. The atmosphere is palpably improved and 'Black Swan's' interaction with both residents and family members is very
encouraging.
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Current Review Score: 9.0 (9.031)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.0 (9.031) out of 10 for Drummonds is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 6 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.3 out of 5 from 6 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.764 for Drummonds is calculated as follows: ( (57 Excellents x 5) + (14 Goods x 4) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 72 Ratings = 4.764
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.267 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Drummonds is based on 6 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 = 3.6
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 45 registered maximum number of service users is 9. 6 Positive Reviews ÷ 9 = 0.667
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 22 May 2018

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Outstanding
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

4 Bed Vacancies

Posted: 15 Sep 2025

Single

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (1)

Helen

Helen Moore

Job Title: Registered Home Manager

Helen is the dedicated care home manager at Drummonds.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Drummonds to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Drummonds has an Enhanced Service - more info.