What types of Care is Forest Home registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability & Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does Forest Home have?

There are 33 Single Rooms and 3 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Forest Home?

Own Furniture if required, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room & Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Forest Home to the centre of Halstead?

2.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Forest Home, 58 Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex CO9 3HT

Review from Janice M (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

I have nothing but praise for the staff and management of this care home.
Mum was a resident there for two years and was treated with kindness, respect and compassion.
She particularly enjoyed the food and talking to the staff.
They were amazing at the end of her life and I cannot thank them enough.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your lovely comment it means a lot . Mum was a lovely lady and she will be sadly missed.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Susan R (Wife of Resident) published on 7 November 2024 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Although my husband only stayed at Forest Care Home for 8 weeks before he then passed away, the care he received from all members of staff was very good. The week leading up to his death I was allowed to stay with him day and night, I was also treated with kindness, nothing was too much trouble. It

is at a time like this that you see how well run this home is. I can't thank you all enough for helping me to cope with his passing which had been unexpected, although in the latter stages of his dementia. Thank you everybody.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your kind words it means a lot. Take care.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Kevin J (Son of Resident) published on 4 August 2023 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Mum has been with Forest Home for over two years, and I have no complaints on the care received. The staff deal so well with Mum's situation and are always kind and friendly. Thank you to everyone on behalf of us both.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your lovely review. Its a pleasure looking after your mum.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Brian B (Son of Resident) published on 21 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

After Dad passed away in 2017, Mum stayed elsewhere, but due to her ill health, she moved to Forest Home in 2019. Mum made many friends at Forest Home and it was with their support – and the support of the amazing staff - that she made it through the COVID-19 lockdowns. At a time when family were unable

to visit Mum, the wonderful staff at Forest Home became her family and we cannot thank them enough for their love and support over the last few years. Mum managed to make it to her 89th birthday and had a great day, a birthday lunch, cake and a sing along. I would like to give a big thank you to all the staff, carers and volunteers who treated her with nothing but kindness, joy and laughter. And in her final days, tenderness and love. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your kind words. Mum is missed dearly.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Christine H (Relative of Resident) published on 16 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

We have a relative that has been living there since June 2022. He is very happy and settled and well looked after. The meals that he has always look very nice which he always enjoys. The care staff and management do a wonderful job of caring for him and could not thank them enough. Thank you all at

Forest Home.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your lovely feedback. He is very settled at Forest Home.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from C W (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

What a lovely bunch!. Couldn’t ask for kinder people. Great sense of humour in a very difficult job too. I know my mum inside out and can sense if something is wrong. She is happy and content even though she has Alzheimer’s and dementia. Love and respect to all who work there!

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad that Mum is happy and content.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Pauline P (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My mum went into full time care at Forest Home after falling and breaking her hip, I had cared for her at my home for the last 5 years so it was with much regret that she had to go into the home full time as I couldn’t care for her any longer, she had had dementia for the last four years and had attended

Forest Home for day care and respite over that time, so she was very familiar with the staff, they all loved mum she was very well liked and she loved going there also, she loved the activities and enjoyed her food, I have nothing but praise for the lovely hard working staff and carers who treated mum with nothing but dignity, kindness and lots of laughter, sadly mum passed away in November 2022 and over her final two weeks of life I was able to stay with her and will never forget the support they gave me.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your kind words. It was lovely to have met and cared for such a lovely lady she is sorely missed.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Bob D (Son of Resident) published on 9 February 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Very friendly staff, good care and all residents are treated personally. Good food with small choices. Many little touches that make so much difference.

Reply from Pam Oliver, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you for your kind words, Dad was a lovely man.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Jane C (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 29 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My reluctant father-in-law went for a week for respite and was full of praise for his care! "Food was lovely and home-cooked" and "the carers are lovely". He slept through the night which he hasn't done for years, he ate different things which he hasn't done for a long time and socialised with other

residents. I can not praise the staff enough under the management of an understanding, caring and accomodating manager. Thank you so much!

Reply from Michelle Sims, Manager at Forest Home

It was a pleasure to have him here with us, he settled well and made some good friends. We hope to see him back soon.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Melissa H (Daughter of Resident) published on 17 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our mum has been in Forest Home for a short time. She has Alzheimer’s and also some other health problems.
The dementia unit in the home is separate from the main care home and has 2 carers in the unit constantly.
Mum is so well cared for, gets lots of attention and cuddles and the carers have taken

the time to really get to know mum.
We know that she is as happy as she can be under the circumstances and we are confident she is being cared for when we are unable to get there.

Reply from Michelle Sims, Manager at Forest Home

Many thanks for your review, we are very happy with your comments and wish you all the best.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Jeremy L (Son of Resident) published on 2 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Our father was transferred to Forest Home from hospital. Unfortunately, he was only there for ten days before he passed away. Prior to that Mum and my sister had decided this was the place for Dad to be as when they walked through the doors, it felt like home. In the time he was there the care was very

good, the place has a very open/transparent feel, Dad's notes were always on a side table to read, detailing times someone had looked in, what was done, etc. We were always welcome at whatever time of day or night, could stay for as long as we liked and always received a warm welcome and the offer of a cup of tea. Two of the staff took the time to attend Dad's funeral. A compassionate, caring home.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from C W (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 September 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My mother is very happy in the Forest Home. The staff are friendly and always helpful. However, I feel sometimes they are understaffed.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Lee J B (Niece of Resident) published on 9 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My uncle was admitted to Forest Care Home in an emergency. I was unable to visit for a couple of weeks so I phones. I was always impressed by the friendly phone manner of the staff I spoke with. Making a journey of 100 miles with my (almost) 99 year old mum, who is wheelchair bound, was a challenge!

The staff of Forest Care Home made us feel most welcome, with a tea/coffee on arrival. Mum was very delighted to see her brother looking very well cared for and interacting well with the staff. Their attitude to all of us was very warm and pleasant. As a retired homeowner myself I was very impressed with the home and the excellent staff.

Reply from Michelle Sims, Manager at Forest Home

Many thanks Lee, your relatives are a delight to look after and have settled in well.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Andrew W (Son of Resident) published on 7 April 2017 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

The care that has been provided for my Father has been first class. The lovely care workers are so kind and happy to help in every way they can. My Fathers long term stay at Forrest Home has really improved his health and fitness. The meals are excellent and they can choose to eat in the restaurant

or have their meals brought to the room. Nothing is to much trouble for any of the team.
Many thanks again.

Reply from Michelle Sims, Manager at Forest Home

Thank you Andrew.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Robert R (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 12 October 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Son-in-law of resident for respite, due to wife in hospital for replacement of hip. The care my father in law received was 1st class, right from the manager to the tea lady who always offers us a cup of coffee. Nothing was too much trouble to help my father in law's stay as comfortable and pleasant

as possible. Shame father in law had to leave. Again can not thank staff enough.

Reply from michelle sims, manager at Forest Home

Thank you for the review, it was a pleasure to look after your dad.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Review from Ian J (Son of Resident) published on 3 February 2016 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

It was a difficult job to find where to put my Father for care while my Mother had an operation, I am pleased to say Forest in Sible Hedingham looked after him very well.
He was very happy with the spacious and clean room he had. He also was very happy with the home cooked food (especially the fish

pie). I was very happy that he settled in (I expected him to be a bit stroppy) but more importantly the care and kindness shown to all the residents, the staff were always very happy and more importantly they smile! So a big thank you I know if he needs a break again I know where to go and also my Mother in Law will need full time care soon.