Birchwood House

I cannot recommend Birchwood highly enough.

You welcomed my hesitant Mother-in-law with open arms, and from the moment she arrived, we felt that you cared about her needs and well-being. You ensured that the transition was smooth and you helped her to settle, making all the visitors she received feel at ease and welcome. Thank you, it takes away so much stress knowing she is in a happy place.

After being welcomed into Birchwood every day this week and being able to spend hours with my aunt, I’ve had lots of opportunities to observe. It’s not just the level of physical care that’s important, it’s also the staff’s kindness and patience that ensures Birchwood never feels institutional. It’s a pleasure to hear my aunt enjoying chatting with her carers and seeing them sharing genuine smiles. I can say with much relief that I am heading home to Canada a lot happier now that I have seen for myself that my aunt is being well cared for. (And don’t get me started on the food, the meals are delicious!) Thank you Birchwood staff.

All staff recognised and welcomed me and took good care for my friend.

My mother has been in Birchwood for nearly two years. She is looked after extremely well. All the staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive to her needs. The management makes sure Birchwood is run for the care of its residents. There is a good variety of balanced meals each day and lots of activities to keep the residents mobile. It is a lovely old building with beautiful grounds. Birchwood meets all of our expectations for the care of my mother.

What a wonderful place for Mum to be looked after. A very home-from-home atmosphere. The staff have the ability to go about their duties calmly yet maintain a high level of care. The management team are very involved and very approachable and very professional. Their ability to spend time with me and hear my concerns has been excellent. I would not hesitate to recommend Birchwood House. Well done all the staff and thank you.

My family and I came over to visit during Valentine's weekend to visit a friend of ours who lives there, and we were given the most wonderful, warm greeting. Everyone at the care home is lovely, and the activities we took part in were fantastic... the highlight of our visit! What a way to get to know/spend time with the other residents! It's like one big happy family, and we can't wait to visit again!

The staff dealt with her death with compassion and sympathy.

Birchwood House is a wonderful care home. My mum has been there now for 17 months, and she loves it there. She has nothing but good things to say about the home and the staff. My experience of the staff is that they are kind, caring, professional, attentive, and happy to give of their time. They appear to approach their jobs with interest and pride and look after the residents with respect, inclusivity, and very often with fabulous and appropriate humour as well! Their attitude is positive and they will give their upmost to sort out anything that is needed. I have always been welcomed extremely warmly, and these days the home and staff are feeling like an extension of my family. They are Mum’s other family, and I’m very thankful and appreciative that she has them looking after her. Thank you so much all of you for your wonderful care and support.

She enjoyed her stay so much she is looking forward to returning again.

Mum was very nervous about moving into care but the staff at Birchwood and the overall environment, made it extremely easy for her and the rest of our family. The quality of care has been exceptional, noting both her social and medical needs and nothing has been too much trouble for the staff. I have been particularly impressed by how the staff anticipate needs and then prepare for them, not just wait until issues develop. This has been extremely important as Mum's health has declined and the whole family has felt closely supported. The building itself is old and quirky but that adds to its charm and we found there was nothing in its design that interfered with Mum's care or enjoyment. Mum especially enjoyed the large, Victorian conservatory, which is light, bright and includes many different plants. The conservatory also overlooks a lovely garden and wider grounds, which provide great places to sit and listen to the birds on dry days. We couldn't have chosen a better place for Mum.

My mother has now been at Birchwood House for over a year. Being a smaller home, it is really personable, and Mum gets on with all the fantastic staff who will do absolutely anything for her. Thank you, Birchwood, for all the care you give Mum.

My father seems content, and the home is very helpful in arranging video calls for us to catch up with him from overseas. The staff are always friendly and attentive and do their best to provide a social and caring environment.

We couldn't have found a nicer place for Mum to have spent the last few weeks in. She has settled in very well to the big changes in her lifestyle and has been superbly supported by the deputy manager and all the staff. Having lived independently for a good few years I am happy to see her joining in with the social side of the residence and hope she will continue to be very happy there.

The deputy manager and staff are lovely, always kind and patient. The atmosphere staff create is friendly and caring and they are attentive. The manager post has been vacant for some time but the deputy has done a great job.

I cannot recommend this home highly enough. The staff are fabulous. So kind, thoughtful and attentive. It is so clean and the gardens are just beautiful. My mum is very happy there and they treat her so very well. Excellent and so friendly. They strive very hard to please both the resident and their families.

I was welcomed for two weeks (extended by one week) respite care direct from the hospital and given a really pleasant room with plenty of light. Great care was taken to ensure I was supported against falls. Birchwood has a special home-like feel - a sense of community one can just sink into. There was no pressure to join in with activities. The house and gardens at Birchwood are an ideal setting for that and recovery. The key is warranted and the kindness of the staff.

Many thanks to all at Birchwood House.

The decor in the home is very tasteful and pleasant and clean.

The staff at Birchwood are caring, friendly and dedicated to their job. My mum can be challenging at times but the carers show patience and understanding at all times. The interior of the building and gardens have improved a lot over the last year. It's just a shame that the lift is so small, so making it difficult for staff and patients to use comfortably. Thank you to all the staff for your kindness and hard work.