Stirlings

Garston Lane, Wantage OX12 7AX
Review Us
9.7 86 Reviews
  • Stirlings, Wantage
Stirlings offers compassionate, individualised residential, early-stage dementia and respite care for up to 40 residents. It has a strong connection with the local community, and has been serving the local and wider Oxfordshire residents for over 50 years. Set in peaceful and beautifully tended grounds, the home is located in a quiet residential location, near to the historic centre of Wantage.

Activities and wellbeing

The dedicated Activities Coordinator is there to make life as stimulating and varied as possible, they work with the residents to shape the schedule of activities by holding regular meetings and undertaking questionnaires with residents. Here is an idea of activities they might organise:

•        Gardening
•        Arts and crafts
•        Barbecues and cream teas on the lawn
•        Fish and chips on Bournemouth beach
•        Visit from a calm and friendly dog

With so many activities they also recognise that everyone needs some time for relaxation and mindfulness for personal reflection. The home offers a number of lounges to enjoy peace and quiet. It also has a large dining area which offers opportunities to socialise with friends and family or join in larger activities.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 40 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1290 – £1345
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1415 – £1475

Your fees cover several areas while in their care.
These services are: Personal care, accommodation,
utilities, use of communal areas, meals, drinks and
snacks, laundry (excluding dry cleaning),
housekeeping, maintenance and activities run by the
home.


Services NOT included in price are: dentistry, chiropody,
physiotherapy, occupational therapy, opticians, hairdressing,
medications, toiletries, clothing, newspapers/magazines.
During your stay, you may need to purchase additional goods
and services. If they are able to provide such goods and
services, they will tell you how much these goods and services
will cost and they expect that you will pay for these goods and
services at the time you request them.
They can accompany loved ones to private appointments,
however the fee attached to this is £21 per hour. Where private taxi
services are used for transportation to appointments the cost should
be paid for by yourself.

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Stirlings 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

Person in charge

  • Catherine Barthe (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (40)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (40)

Stirlings Reviews (86)

9.7

Stirlings has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.741) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Stirlings has 86 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 86
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Reviewer Connection to Stirlings
  • 33
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Total of 86, showing 1-20
Review from K H (Daughter of Resident) published on 17 September 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We have been very happy with the care provided over the last 15 months. My relative has settled extremely well, and my issues addressed promptly. Staff are exceptionally welcoming and friendly, there's always lots going on and it feels like a real home from home.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you so much for your kind words - we are very grateful. At Stirlings we strive for a home from home ambience and we're so pleased you mentioned this. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

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Review from P S (Friend of Resident) published on 29 August 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have been visiting a friend in Stirlings since January 2025, the staff are friendly and the residents are always treated with dignity. Everybody encouraged to join in the varied activities. My friend says the food is good, her room is spotless! And most importantly she is very happy in Stirlings.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you so much for leaving us a lovely review. It's so nice seeing you visiting your friend and joining in with us. We are so glad to read how happy your friend is living here, that has made our day.

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Review from I B (Son of Resident) published on 20 May 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been at Stirlings for nearly a year now. She is 86 this month and is partially sighted and semi-mobile. She was reluctant to leave her bungalow but a nasty fall and hospital treatment meant she needed care. She wanted to go to Stirlings and has settled in well. They look after the residents
well and my mum is very happy. Staff are very kind and considerate.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you for leaving us such a lovely review. I cant believe it's been nearly a year. As you say despite some initial reluctance, your mother has settled in well and she is an absolute pleasure to care for. It's been great seeing her laugh and smile with the other residents. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for your mother.

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Review from M E (Friend of Resident) published on 3 March 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It is a very happy and uplifting place to visit and if I had a relative that required full-time care, I would have no hesitation in having them living at Stirlings Care Home. So much warmth and good feeling shown by all the carers I have met.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you so much for your lovely review and recommendation of our care home. - this means the world to us. Hope to see you again soon.

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Review from Nicholas R (Son of Resident) published on 30 January 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was totally satisfied with the care team that cared for my mum on all counts.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you for giving us a 5 star review of our home, it's greatly appreciated. It was a pleasure caring for your mum and we are so grateful to hear how satisfied you were with the care your mum received. This means the world to us.

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Review from Tracey W (Friend of Resident) published on 30 January 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Visited to see a dear old friend. Lovely friendly staff. Clean, tidy and warm. Residents all very happy and have everything they need. Afternoon tea was delicious.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

The afternoon teas are great, aren't they!? So glad you joined us when you visited your friend staying with us. Please do come again, you're always welcome! Thank you for your kind words about our home, we really appreciate it.

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Review from M M (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 15 January 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I enjoy odd jobs outside and trips out. I don't always do all the activities, but that's just me.
The staff keeps an eye on me to make sure I'm fine.
The staff goes the extra mile, like coming in even on their days off.
Reply from Helen Dearing, on at Stirlings

Thank you so much for a lovely review. We absolute love caring for you, you always make us smile. Please let us know if there are any activities you'd like us to do with you.

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Review from W B (Son of Resident) published on 1 October 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The love, energy and connection that the staff, friends and family of the residents have in Stirlings is palpable.
'Caring' and 'homely' are the best words to describe this wonderful place. If you want the very best for your loved ones, please seriously consider Stirlings.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you so much for your lovely review, we greatly appreciate it. We strive to ensure that Stirlings is both caring and homely, so the fact you mentioned these two words in your review, means the world to us.

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Review from J H (Wife of Resident) published on 5 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the moment you step into Stirlings, you are met with smiles and welcomes from all staff. Every staff member talks softly with huge kindness to the ladies and gentlemen they are caring for. Nothing is too much trouble to make residents feel happy and at home, comfort is a priority and it shows,
it is like a big happy family, all our family are so pleased their father is being cared for so well. It has taken a huge burden of care off my shoulders (wife). I was so frightened of leaving my husband with strangers but strangers they are not. Whatever they earn, it is not enough, we love them all.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you for leaving us such an amazing review - we are so grateful. At Stirlings, we pride ourselves on being one happy bonus family and we are so pleased this is felt by you and your family. We understand that making a decision to move a loved one into a care home can be difficult. We absolutely love having your husband here with us, it's a pleasure caring for him. You are also welcome any time, so please come and join us for tea and cake - our kettle is always on. Thank you.

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Review from Keith D (Husband of Resident) published on 21 May 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
After just the first few days I am impressed by the way the friendly caring staff have helped my wife to adapt to her very different new life.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Many thanks for leaving a review for us, we are very grateful. The staff will be thrilled to read how highly you have rated the care your wife has received here. We absolutely love having your wife reside here, she has fitted in very well. Thank you.

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Review from Roger C (Son of Resident) published on 10 April 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has settled into Stirlings now and is very content thanks in no small part to the kindness and attentive care given by the fantastic staff.
The home-cooked food is always well received and much looked forward to.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you so much for your kind words; we really appreciate it. We love having your mother live with us, and she really has settled in well. It's a pleasure caring for her. Please come and say hello next time you visit - we always have tea and cake available.

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Review from D M (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother was living on her own before going into Strilings in Wantage.
From day one, she has been so happy.
All the staff are very professional as well as cheery and nice.
I'm truly amazed at how well she has settled in and now sees it as her home. It makes visiting a joy.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

We are so pleased to read how happy you are with your mother's care and that she is happy living with us. We love having her here. Do let us know if there is anything else we can do for her.

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Review from C P (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum is very happy in Stirlings. Treated with great care and dignity. Although she doesn't take part in much there is always plenty of activity going on.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you for your review. It's great to hear that your mum is happy living with us - we love having her here. Do let us know if there are any activities she would like us to put on, so she can join us if she wants to.

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Review from Hilda H (Resident) published on 4 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have lived here for six months and have found them all very helpful and friendly. The food is excellent and a good variety. The activities are good and always something to do.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Hi! Thank you for your kind words. It's great to hear that you've enjoyed living with us for the last six months; it's been a pleasure getting to know you. I will pass on your compliments to the staff - the chef will be particularly pleased to hear you are enjoying the food.

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Review from N A (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 16 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother-in-law is genuinely like a different person since coming to Stirlings. She is loving the staff, the food and the companionship. She absolutely adores all the staff and the hairdressing facility is a firm favourite.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

Thank you so much for your review. We are thrilled to read how happy your mother-in-law is in our home. We love having her here and, like you said, she has really come into her own since arriving here. If there's anything else we can do for her, please let us know.

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Review from C P (Friend of Resident) published on 8 June 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Friendly staff. We were made to feel very welcome. Our friend is settled and very happy at Stirlings.
Reply from Helen Dearing, On behalf of the team at Stirlings

We are so pleased to hear that your friend is enjoying living with us and that he or she is happy. You are always welcome here, so do say hello next time you are visiting. Many thanks.

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Review from Jean A (Sister of Resident) published on 6 February 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are always very pleasant and very helpful.
Home is always very clean and fresh.
Patients always look happy, also nice and clean.
Keep up all of the work you do.
Reply from Freya Higgs, Marketing Administrator at Stirlings

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I will pass on your kind words to our team.

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Review from J P (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 January 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Because Mum was able to choose to come into Stirlings, it made the "big" decision of care much easier. She hasn't been disappointed, and neither has her family. She is well cared for and enjoys her new life there. Her carers look after her really well. Nothing is too much trouble. She enjoys her food,
particularly liver and bacon, as she told the cook today! Full marks for the Christmas party today, with delicious tea and an entertainer!
Reply from Freya Higgs, Marketing Administrator at Stirlings

Thank you for your lovely comment. I am delighted that your Mum is enjoying life at Stirlings and is especially enjoying the food! I will pass on your feedback to our team.

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Review from Brian F (Son of Resident) published on 9 January 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I visit my mother regularly at Stirlings and have always found the staff to be helpful and caring. We went to a Christmas party there, and as usual, the staff were amazing - the food was delicious, and the singer did a fantastic job of getting us all in the Christmas mood.
The staff do a brilliant
job, but we do feel there should be more of them because, at times, it can be very stressful for them to do everything that is demanded of them.
Reply from Freya Higgs, Marketing Administrator at Stirlings

Thank you for your kind feedback. I will pass on your comments to our team.

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Review from Lorraine M (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 December 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Nothing in life is as hard as watching your father decline so rapidly with this awful disease called dementia, but I can honestly say the greeting, smile, kindness and helpfulness from all Stirlings staff at every visit at any time of the day or night makes it a whole lot easier to endure.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.741)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.741) out of 10 for Stirlings is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 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 4.741 for Stirlings is calculated as follows: ( (124 Excellents x 5) + (41 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 166 Ratings = 4.741
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Stirlings is based on 14 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    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 40 registered maximum number of service users is 8, which has been reached with 14 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  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: 18 Jul 2019

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

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (3)

Catherine

Catherine Barthe

Job Title: Home Joined: 2023

Catherine rejoined the Trust in 2024 as Home Manager at Stirlings.

Angela

Angela Lindsay

Job Title: Activities Coordinator Joined: 2007

As Activities Coordinator, Angela is passionate about providing residents at Stirlings with the best possible experiences to enhance their wellbeing. She sees working in care as her calling in life and approaches each day as a new chance to help people.


Angela has almost a decade of experience in coordinating activities in a care environment and has many qualifications supporting her deep knowledge of caring for those with dementia. She takes great satisfaction from helping people to continue with the hobbies and interests they have had their whole lives but equally loves being able to provide them with brand new experiences too.


Whether jumping out of a plane to raise money, completing the Tough Mudder for charity, taking a former ice skater back onto the ice after 50 years, writing poetry with residents or working with Oxford University on a study into therapeutic robots, there is rarely a dull moment in Angela’s line of work. Her great work for the Trust was recognised when Angela was named OSJCT’s Oxfordshire Activity Coordinator of the year in 2016.


Angela finds time to meditate every day and enjoys attending boxing exercise classes and expanding her spiritual interests.

Odeth

Odeth Hawkins

Job Title: Head of Care Joined: 2016

Starting a career in care back in 2016, Odeth embarked on a journey that led her through various roles within different care centres. Initially serving as a caring leader at Avonbourne Care Centre upon joining the trust in 2019, she transitioned to the role of Head of Care (HoC) at Bemerton Lodge in 2021 and later moved to Longlands in 2022 and is now based at Stirlings. Before venturing into the care sector, her professional experience included working as a logistician for the British Army.


Odeth's current role in care is a source of satisfaction, finding it robust and engaging, offering ample opportunities to interact with a diverse multidisciplinary team. Engaging with residents and their families brings them joy, fostering strong connections within their team.


Beyond the professional sphere, Odeth's personal life is centred around family; married with two children, they cherish moments spent together. While she used to play netball, her current passion involves avidly following the sport on television.

Frequently Asked Questions about Stirlings

What types of Care is Stirlings 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 Stirlings have?

There are 40 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Stirlings?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Residents Kitchenette, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Stirlings to the centre of Wantage?

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

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