
I really am so pleased Mum has her home here, she feels so at ease with everyoneSue K(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

My mother has only been here for a week, but already can see a massive differenceTina M(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

My nan is in Valentine House and loves it. The staff are all friendly and helpful.Victoria K(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

I really am so pleased Mum has her home here, she feels so at ease with everyoneSue K(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

My mother has only been here for a week, but already can see a massive differenceTina M(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

My nan is in Valentine House and loves it. The staff are all friendly and helpful.Victoria K(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

Valentine House is a care home for older people in Silver End, a small village in Essex, close to Braintree and Witham. Black Swan provides short-term, respite care and longer term support to up to 50 residents, including special support for those living with dementia.
The home underwent a large-scale renovation in 2013 and includes spacious bedrooms with ensuite facilities. There are communal areas including the lounge, a well presented dining...
Care Provided by Valentine House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 50 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
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Weekly fees include personal care, all food and drinks, activities and entertainment.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Valentine House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Valentine 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
- Black Swan Care Group
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Emma Galvin (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2023
Room Information
- Single Rooms (48)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
Visiting
- 24 hour visiting welcomed
Parking
- Parking available outside home
Valentine House Reviews (75)
Valentine House has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.517) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Valentine House has 75 reviews.
My mum has been in care for four months and this was a very hard decision to make. From day one, the staff have been excellent. Although Mum won't take part very often, the activities are great. She certainly gets her fair share of hugs.
My aunt has been at Valentine House for roughly six months and my overall impression has been very positive. My aunt has been very happy and the staff and facilities have been excellent.
It was a great relief when my father moved to Valentine House Care Home at the end of October 2022. He has severe dementia and we were not coping with him at home any more, not least my mother, who is also ninety-four! This is a well managed care home with wonderfully friendly and welcoming staff. We have been very pleased with the way they care for Dad, patiently try different foods with him and persuade him to join in some of the craft activities. Just recently it was necessary to call an ambulance to have him checked over, and I was kept informed at every step. What a huge relief to entrust someone to this level of care and professionalism!
My Mum moved to Valentine House in 2021, after my sister visited and immediately felt and saw how caring and wonderful the staff and management team are. Though our mum lived there just a year before she passed with advanced dementia, she was happy there and both she and the team seemed genuinely fond of one another. We couldn't have hoped for a more wonderful team to look after our mum in her final year and they always kept us involved, updated and always fought Mum's corner as regards medical care, etc. They also did absolutely everything they could to support us as Mum's daughters, when we were with her, in her final days. They are outstanding people.
Mum was a resident at Valentine House for a year. She had advanced dementia and finding a suitable care home for her was a lengthy process. From my initial visit, I really felt the emphasis in Valentine House was on care and we were right! From the beginning, we could tell that the staff and management would bend over backwards to ensure their residents were comfortable. Mum was happy, even though it was a big move for her. Sadly, in April her health started to deteriorate, but for the last few months, even though she was struggling, we knew she was being looked after and cared for. During her end-of-life care, the staff were kind, considerate and the management went out of their way to ensure she was treated with dignity and that it was as peaceful as it could be. This continued after she passed, with how they dealt with her and with us. I cannot praise the way this care home is run, enough.
Due to Covid-19, no comprehensive review can be given. Residents have been subject to strict conditions regarding family access and as a family, we can't comment on any matter inside the home. Mother is treated well but we are not satisfied that personal items can be found or items are working in the room, so there is room for improvement, which I hope occurs when restrictions are eased.
It was a great relief when Dad moved into Valentine House. He was safe at last, after several falls at home. I cannot praise the staff enough. They look after him wonderfully and he seems more relaxed and content everytime I see him. His speech is improving because of this. The carers have endless patience with him and I am very pleased he has settled in so well. The care home is clean, comfortable and there are plenty of activities on offer.
Very well managed with very polite staff.
Good experience so far looking after my friend well.
Mum has lived at Valentine House for 7 years and has always been happy there. She had a fall and had to spend 10 days in the hospital recently and then returned to Valentine House for end-of-life care. She is being cared for extremely well, with kindness and compassion by all of the staff. I feel that the manager is professional and has high standards with her staff and has shown great compassion for myself and all of mum's family during this difficult time. I would like to thank everyone that is included in making mum's time here a happy one.
Cannot comment further due to not being able to visit inside due to the lockdowns.
Provision has been provided by means of an outdoor covered meeting hut with heating, so I could still see my mum outdoors, very welcome.
My mum has been in the home for approx 3-years. There have been many changes with the home since she arrived, some have been very positive and others negative. Overall, Mum's personal care and attention have been very good. The carers have always been consistent and have cared for her very well. As the family, we have noticed considerable change in the way we have been dealt with by management, which will impact our mum. The approach to family members has felt to be abrupt, and not understanding by management; it has gone from nothing is too much trouble to rudeness at times by management.
During the lockdown, everything that could be done to protect the residents and staff from Coronavirus was done to a high standard. Whenever myself or a member of our family have telephoned with queries or worries about our mother, we have felt listened to, and we are very appreciative for the care shown and given.
Very good care home with emphasis on care! My mother and father have both resided here, Mother has since died. Always easy to communicate with the staff and always a friendly smile. Obviously, due to Covid-19, I have hardly visited the care home in recent months, nonetheless, they have been easy to contact by phone. As far as I am aware there have been no Covid cases in the home which in itself is no easy task! Well done Valentine House.
Mother-in-law has been a resident of Valentine House for approximately five years. She has been extremely well looked after, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. My wife and I cannot praise the staff enough for what they have done for Mum and the other residents, in her time there. She is very well fed and the staff try and find time to sit with Mum when they can, as she is very hard of hearing and has very poor eyesight. Hopefully, in four months time, we will be able to celebrate Mum’s 100th birthday, if this dreadful pandemic allows.
The food is nice to eat. The carers are very good indeed.
All staff are superb and very caring and I very much like living here.
The staff are kind and helpful.
Rooms are adequately furnished.
Excellent staff, food is good.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 23 May 2019Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveOutstanding
- 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
8 Bed Vacancies
Posted: 24 August 2026Single En-Suite
News (1) & Events (0)
- 22 Oct 2025
The multi-award winning Black Swan Care Group is pleased to announce that it has acquired All Hallows Care Home, in Bungay, Suffolk marking a major strategic investment in local care...
There are no upcoming events for Valentine House.
Awards / Recognitions (11)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Black Swan Care Group
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Black Swan Care Group
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Black Swan Care Group
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Valentine House.
Meet the Team (1)

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