What types of Care is The Firs registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health Condition & Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does The Firs have?

There are 16 Single Rooms and 3 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Firs?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Firs to the centre of Southampton?

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

The Firs care home, 83 Church Road, Locks Heath, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 6LS

The Firs

83 Church Road, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6LS

9.2 12 Reviews

Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

Older Person Care
Dementia
Learning Disability / Autism
Mental Health Condition
Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

Permanent Care
Respite Care

Care Types Provided

Residential Care
Dementia Residential Care
For a maximum of 22 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

Mild Dementia
Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

Parkinson's Disease
Stroke
Palliative / End of Life Care
COPD/Pulmonary Disease

Facilities

Own Furniture if required
Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
Smoking not permitted
Close to Local shops
Near Public Transport
Lift
Wheelchair Access
Gardens
Phone Point in own room
Television point in own room
Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1300 – £1375

These prices are only a guideline, please contact The Firs to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

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

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Caldwell Group Ltd

Person in charge

Kerry Colbourne (Registered Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Hampshire County Council

Admission Criteria

Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

Purpose Built: Yes
Last Refurbishment: 2005
Number of floors: 2

Room Information

Single Rooms (16)
Couples/Companion Rooms (3)
Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (3)
Couples/Companion Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (3)

Visiting

Any time.

Parking

Ample parking available.

Review from P B (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 July 2024 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My Mum has resided at The Firs for a few months and has settled in well. The lovely staff are warm, welcoming with a caring manner and no question is too silly. There is an open-door policy, and it never feels inconvenient when we pop in. It's especially lovely that we can take my little granddaughter

in, she's welcomed by all and there's always a spark in Mum's eyes when she sees her.
Mum transferred directly from hospital care to The Firs and although her dementia is worsening, we have seen an improvement in her wellbeing, she is eating regularly and being looked after extremely well. She enjoys the food and comments on how delicious it is, particularly the puddings. Mum takes part in various activities and is socialising every day, rather than staying in her room, which is wonderful.
The Firs is a small care home with good facilities, a family-friendly atmosphere providing efficient, effective and personalised care. Our family are very happy The Firs is a 'good fit' for Mum.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for the lovely comments, I will feed these back to the team.

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Review from S M (Sister of Resident) published on 16 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I have found the care provided for my brother to be generally good. During the occasional visit, I have noted that he was unshaven. This, of course, could be a result of his behaviour/attitude. He seems to be very keen on puddings and not too keen on savoury. It would be helpful if the staff could encourage/support

him in losing a few pounds. I think it would be beneficial for him to get outside more, even if it was just to the garden. A day trip would be even better.
Despite being very busy, the staff make an effort to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere during visits. A couple of extra staff would be helpful in increasing the conviviality even further. He recently suffered a fall on the care home drive, not a fault of the staff, indeed they should be commended for promptly calling the emergency services and myself and endeavouring to care for him as best they could in the circumstances.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback with us. I would appreciate it if you could spare some time to discuss your comments with me further to enable us to make sure we are providing the best care and service. Thank you.

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Review from F H (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My mum has been in their care since March 2022 and has been comfortable, warm and entertained. All her needs are catered for and to my surprise, she doesn't stay in her room but sits in the various spaces in their communal area. I think this shows how much thought is put into each resident and their

specific requirements.
I live close by and visit regularly unannounced and have always had a friendly welcome.

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Review from A L (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 June 2024 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My father moved into The Firs approximately 8 weeks ago. We are amazed by the change in him, he is eating well and tells us the meals are lovely. He has gained a little weight and has his colour back and has told us the staff treat him like a King. Our opinion of The Firs so far is positive and we are

happy that he has settled so easily thanks to the staff and management.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for the lovely compliments, I will feed this back to the team.

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Review from Pauline P (Wife of Resident) published on 7 May 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

The Firs treat my husband like one of the family. Nothing is too much trouble and I feel so much better knowing that he is being looked after so well. I'm so glad I chose The Firs.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for the lovely review Pauline, I will pass your comments on to the team.

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Review from E J (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 January 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I attended the Christmas pantomime held for residents, family and friends. The staff were welcoming and communal areas were decorated, offering a homely festive ambience. The chef provided an ample and varied buffet, excellent. The residents participated in the panto responses, seeming to enjoy the

experience. Staff were attentive and engaged well with residents. As a family, we are happy with the home The Firs have provided her.

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Review from Michael M (Brother-in-law of Resident) published on 27 December 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

My brother-in-law has been a resident since August 2022. He has settled in well with the help of the caring and helpful staff. We attended the Christmas party today and it was heartening to see the effort the staff had gone to. They made the day fun and really enjoyable for all the residents. The food

was excellent and bountiful. It is clearly evident that the staff are hardworking and caring. They know all the residents as individuals and treat them accordingly. The Firs has a warm, welcoming and caring atmosphere.

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Review from John W (Son of Resident) published on 15 December 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Dad has been at The Firs since 3rd February 2022. He has settled in well. I am able to visit any day and take him out of the home. Since he has been staying at The Firs he manages to continue his routines very well. All the staff have an excellent attitude and he is in a very happy place.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for taking the time to complete a review of the home and your lovely comments, I will pass these on to the team.

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Review from Sarah J (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 1 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Staff are always friendly and helpful. we are kept well informed on any changes with Mum. Mum is well looked after.

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Review from Robert F (Son of Resident) published on 26 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Cannot fault the care my dad has received from the excellent team who are friendly and accommodating to visitors. As you can see from the categories, we are very impressed.

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Review from B L (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

It is always such a difficult decision for anyone to have to make to put a relative in a care home. Between myself and Social Services, that decision had to be made on behalf of my mum. Unfortunately, she has dementia and for her own safety and wellbeing, moved into The Firs last August. From my first

visit being shown around by a member of the staff, I knew The Firs would be the best place for her and that if she was in the right state of mind, she would have chosen for herself. I cannot fault the staff, the whole team are extremely helpful, caring and compassionate. This is definitely not a job that I would be able to do! I do feel reassured knowing that my mum receives the care and attention that she needs and deserves.

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Review from Ian L (Son of Resident) published on 5 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My dad lived at The Firs for two and a half years. During that time he received excellent care from the hard-working staff there. More than that, the staff went out of their way to accommodate my mum who visited him and were always friendly and considerate. During the pandemic, the staff and the owner

were fantastic. All families were kept up to date via zoom meetings and there was not a single case or death at the home due to Covid. We were able to ‘see’ Dad via video calls and they kept the residents safe, well looked after and opened up visiting just as soon as they were able. The well-being of the residents has always appeared to be their top concern and I cannot recommend this home highly enough. A heartfelt thank you from myself and on behalf of my parents.