Alex Wood House

3a Fortescue Road, Cambridge CB4 2JS
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9.7 29 Reviews
  • Alex Wood House, Cambridge
Alex Wood House is an exceptional residential care home in Cambridge. The team at Alex Wood House pride themselves on the home's family-feel, attractive gardens and its providing outstanding care to each resident. The home is based in a quiet nook in Arbury on the north eastern side of Cambridge, three miles from the city centre. It offers 24-hour residential care and 36 en-suite bedrooms.

Care Provided by Alex Wood House

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 36 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Cancer Care
  • Colitis & Crohn's Disease
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Orthopaedic
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Julie Fuller (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (36)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Year Purpose Built: 1988
    • Last Refurbishment: 2020
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for Alex Wood House

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,450
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Alex Wood House to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Bar/Café
  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Stairlift
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting
  • Visitors are welcome at any time.


  • Parking
  • There is ample parking on site.


Total of 29, showing 1-20
9.7

Alex Wood House has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.689) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Alex Wood House has 29 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Date Published

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot speak highly enough of Alex Wood House. From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff are incredibly friendly, caring and always willing to go the extra mile to ensurw residents are comfortable and happy. Knowing that mum is well cared for gives
me great peace of mind. The rooms are clean, comfortable and thoughtfully designed. There are plenty of activities to keep residents engaged, from social events to creative hobbies, ensuring they stay active and entertained. The food is excellent with a great variety of nutritious and delicious meals. Most importantly the staff treat every resident with dignity and respect, making Alex Wood House feel like a true home.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very happy with the standard of care that mum receives. They are always happy to go the extra mile. We have just had an excellent Mother's Day afternoon tea provided by the home. They do so much to give the residents the best experience.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very impressed with the range of activities. Provides peace of mind knowing my mother is well looked after.

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Thank you for your review. All the teams at Alex Wood House work hard to provide a variety of activities to support all residents preferences and hobbies, in addition to arranging outings of interest for residents. The Lifestyle team hold weekly meetings on a Monday with residents to review activities from the previous week and discussed what is planned for the coming week and future events.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Dad was a resident of Alex Wood House during December 2024 and January 2025. We chose it because a) it was nearby and b) we had heard good things about it from previous residents. During Dad's time in Alex Wood he was very well looked after and we were very pleased by the level of care and the professionalism
and attitude of all the staff. It is a relatively small care home and this gives it a nice, homely feel. The facilities are first rate and nothing seemed too much trouble for the staff, who all went out of their way to be helpful and kind. All in all, we were all very impressed. Recommended.

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Many thanks for your lovely review. We very much pride ourselves on providing a homely feel and this filters from the values of Athena: Our Family, caring for yours. I am pleased that you felt the staff provided a high standard of support and assistance. Your kind feedback will be shared with all the staff in the home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Dad has been living here for nearly 16 months and I couldn't think of a nicer place for him to be. As soon as you walk in you are met with a cosy and homely atmosphere. All staff from Care Manager downwards are so friendly and approachable and it is obvious it is not just a job to them. My Dad has
built some amazing friendships with the staff and is always singing their praises He has really come out of his shell and will joke and laugh with staff and it has been lovely to see him so happy and settled. He was quite unwell when he first went in but has thrived due to the excellent care he has received. I never wanted to put him in a care home but I am so grateful to have found this amazing place. Activities are wide and varied and I have been lucky enough to go on a few trips with my Dad and other residents and to witness the care and kindness given by staff to ensure everyone has a good time. Can't thank the staff enough for everything.

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Thank you for your lovely review and recognition of the hard work and effort provided by all the staff within Alex Wood House. We strive to ensure that all staff live up to the ethos of Athena: Our family, caring for yours.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum entered Alex Wood House on 14th April 2022, for rest bite care as recommended by the NHS. Mum was welcomed in by all and her own individual space was allocated. The management and staff were very helpful and accommodating to the new arrival. Mum enjoyed the social interaction with other residents/
staff and enjoyed the variety of meals prepared for her.
Mum liked the activities organised by the staff and shared many a joyful moment with other residents. Mum was supported with personnel care from the staff and treated with the utmost dignity and respect.
We as a family, praise highly the management and staff working at Alex Wood House who supported Mum with all her healthcare needs. A highly recommended and well-run family-caring facility.
Kind regards, all of the family.

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Thank you for your lovely review. We are proud of the team and Alex Wood House and the care and support all staff provide to promote independence and dignity to all residents.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My children convinced my father that he would be safer in a home while I was away on holiday with my husband. We chose Alex Wood House as it was convenient for the family and close to my daughter. We were helped and supported as we set him up for his holiday. 5 days later he decided to stay as he found
the whole experience so positive. He is surrounded by caring people and has people his own age to talk to. He is happy and relaxed and putting in weight. We can't believe the change in him and are very grateful.

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We are extremely happy that your dad found his stay at Alex Wood House positive and made an independent decision he wished to move into Alex Wood House permanently. Your lovely feedback will be shared with the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I was very impressed with the staff at the care home caring for my 95-year-old father-in-law. They are all so happy and obliging - a real credit to the company. Nothing seems too much for them, and the residents benefit greatly from this. The home is well-run and very clean and tidy.
Well done, everyone!
Great job!

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Thank you very much for your lovely feedback. We are extremely grateful to receive such feedback. All the team at Alex Wood House work extremely hard to embed the ethos of Athena: 'Our family, caring for yours.'


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I feel secure and well looked after with approachable staff and excellent food. My room is very comfortable with my own ensuite and I have everything I could need and or want. Everyone makes me feel part of the family.

Reply from Julie Fuller, Home Manager at Alex Wood House

Thank you for your feedback on your first-hand experience of living at Alex Wood House. We are pleased that your experience of living at Alex Wood House is positive and the ethos of Athena: 'Our family, caring for yours' is apparent to you.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My step mother began living here at the beginning of the year. She has now settled in well. It is a small care home with a cosy family atmosphere. There are varied activities every day and occasional trips out. The care and attention given has been good and staff have been kind and supportive. It is
a care home I would recommend.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum moved here last April. I have been happy with the care given. Mum enjoys the meals prepared for her. She has an en-suite bedroom and a television. There are activities planned every day if she wishes to participate.

Reply from Andrea Sullivan, Sheltered Schemes Manager at Alex Wood House

Many thanks for taking the time to review your experience of the care your mother is receiving at Alex Wood House. Thank you for your positive comments, it's very much appreciated.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Alex Wood House provide a caring and loving environment for my mother, who has Alzheimer's, but who is physically quite fit. The frequent activities (craft, cookery, dance, music, etc) appear to be enjoyed by many of the residents, and I love the Facebook updates which enable me to see my Mum participating
and enjoying herself. As I live over 4 hours drive away it is lovely to be able to see that she is having fun and obviously enjoying spending time with the staff and residents. More recently some day trips have been planned, which I think is fantastic. When I visit I can see that the staff are caring and interact cheerfully and fondly with my Mum and I feel very pleased that we have found such a great place for her to stay. Of course, there are more difficult times, as with many dementia patients, but even then the Alex Wood House team have been reassuring and we feel confident Mum is being looked after.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Alex Wood do lots of activities which Mum takes part in regularly. Also, the care she is given is exceptional, all the staff know Mum's name and what her likes and dislikes are. I would highly recommend.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I couldn't wish for a better home for my mum to live in. Excellent care and really kind friendly care staff, always ready to help my mum. My mum always looks clean and nicely dressed. I am always kept up to date on any matters concerning my mum.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My wife has been in Alex Wood House since August 2019. It was an excellent choice. The staff are caring and supportive, the team leaders are first class. This service all stems from the leadership of the manager.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Alex Wood House to anyone needing such facilities.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have always found the care at Alex Wood House to be excellent and the standards are very high. The staff are always very caring and numerous activities are provided for the residents during the day. We would certainly recommend this care home to others.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother has been in Alex Wood House Care Home for nearly six months. She is very happy and well cared for there. A few teething problems initially due to staff and mother getting to know each other better but were quickly sorted. The staff are very caring and give her time to make her own decisions
on what she wants. As a visitor, I am always made very welcome and can visit anytime but am asked to respect meal times. They provide some sort of activity every day for the residents. Residents are offered a varied menu and regular tea, coffee etc. Rooms are kept nice and clean and Mum was allowed to take some of her personal things with her which makes her feel at home. I would thoroughly recommend this home. It is very well run and the management team will always try and sort out any problems. It is a small home and makes you feel like part of the family.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have, in general, been very happy with the level of care - a crucial aspect of which, apart, of course, from the actual standard of care as exercised by the carers themselves, has been the willingness and promptness of the home to deal with any issues that have arisen. Considering the difficulties
of the past two years to do with Covid and the widespread problems of staffing, I think my family has been fortunate in finding a home which has succeeded in maintaining a high level of efficiency and professionalism while at the same time doing so with warmth and personality.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My Mum has been a resident since January 2022. She is very content and feels safe. The care staff are all amazing and very, very kind to her. She is eating well so obviously enjoys the food. Before coming to Alex Wood House, it was a struggle to feed her and she was very underweight. She has gained
weight, has more energy and improved mentally. It is now possible to have a conversation with her and she engages which, previously, she did not. She spends very little time in her room, preferring to be in the communal areas. As a family we are extremely grateful for all the love, care and kindness of the staff at Alex Wood House.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I brought my friend to Alex Wood House in September 2021. In the 4 months or so he has been there, he seems a little more at ease with his condition than before. The staff are always friendly and helpful and seem to go the extra mile an attending to the needs of the residents. Thank you all!
PS in
order to submit the review, I was obliged to express an opinion about the food, about which I know nothing. I have asked my friend but he has not ventured an opinion.

Reply from Andrea Sullivan, Sheltered Schemes Manager at Alex Wood House

Many thanks for your honest review; we are pleased your friend has settled well into the home - much appreciated.


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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.689)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.689) out of 10 for Alex Wood House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 10 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.689 for Alex Wood House is calculated as follows: ( (85 Excellents x 5) + (31 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 119 Ratings = 4.689

  • b) 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 Alex Wood House is based on 10 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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

    • ii) 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 36 registered maximum number of service users is 7.2, which has been reached with 10 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

1 Bed Vacancy

posted 02 Apr 2025

Residential, Residential Dementia,


Awards / Recognitions (10)

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Meet the Team (10)

Julie

Julie Fuller

Job Title: Care Home Manager

Julie has worked in the care sector for 25 years, starting as a care assistant and working her way up to home manager. She has been manager at Alex Wood House for the past seven years and was deputy manager prior to that.


Julie loves the fact that Alex Wood House is a small home which allows her and her team to provide a friendly, family atmosphere with excellent person-centred care.


She enjoys getting to know everyone well, her residents, their relatives and friends as well as the team working at the home. Julie’s door is always open if you have anything you want to discuss with her.


Amber

Amber Christou

Job Title: Customer Relations Manager

Joined: 2024

Amber joined Athena Care Homes in May 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a heartfelt passion for supporting families and future residents. Her genuine dedication to guiding families through the important journey of finding the right home for their loved ones is what makes her role so fulfilling.


She works across all three of our Cambridgeshire homes—Alex Wood and Langdon House in Cambridge, and Aria Court in March, ensuring every family receives the care and reassurance they deserve.


Bernadette

Bernadette Burr

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2017

Bernadette started at Alex Wood House in 2017 as a carer. In 2024 she was promoted to Deputy Manager.


Bernie has obtained her level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care and level 3 award in Leadership and Management. She has also enrolled in her Level 5 diploma in Health and Social Care.


Bernadette has worked in the health care sector for 15 years and brings a wealth of experience. She is passionate about supporting residents and their families to promote a sense of wellbeing and their independence.


Dorota

Dorota Opacka

Job Title: Team Leader

Joined: 2008

Dorota started at Alex Wood House in August 2008 as a day care assistant. Since then she has been promoted to Team Leader at the home and has a level 2 and 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care.


Dorota is particularly passionate about Dementia Care and is the Dementia Champion at Alex Wood House. She supports our residents, not only from a team leader perspective but enjoys supporting them with activities as well, sometimes leading them herself.


India

India Buck

Job Title: Team Leader

Joined: 2023

India started work at Alex Wood House in 2023 as a day care assistant, and in October 2024 she was promoted to Team Leader. She is currently enrolled on her level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care.


India is passionate about delivering high standards of care and ensuring residents are treated with dignity and compassion.


Joseph

Joseph Agustin

Job Title: Maintenance

Joined: 2024

Joseph has worked at Alex Wood House since January 2024 and has brought a wealth of experience to the home.


He is particularly passionate about supporting residents to personalise their rooms, and ensuring they are made to feel at home on the first day that they arrive.


His attention to detail and response time to jobs around the home is outstanding.


Liz

Liz Frost

Job Title: Community Lead

Joined: 2024

Liz Frost recently joined Alex Wood House in Cambridge as a Care Team Leader, bringing with her a wealth of experience, a passion for people, and a deep commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of residents.


Since starting in September as Night Team Leader, Liz has quickly made her mark at the Arbury-based care home. With over seven years of experience in the care sector, Liz has worked across a wide range of roles, including frontline care, care coordination, training, management, and recruitment and retention. Her background in domiciliary care has provided her with strong, transferable skills that are proving invaluable in the residential care setting at Alex Wood House.


Donna

Donna Fletcher

Job Title: Lifestyles Co-Ordinator

Joined: 2024

Donna started with Alex Wood House in January 2024, after leaving a care assistant job in the community alongside the district nursing team. She is passionate about supporting residents with activities here at the home and ensuring their day to day lives are fun and fulfilled.


Jan

Jan Siano

Job Title: Administrative Assistant

If you’ve visited Alex Wood House care home in Cambridge recently, chances are you’ve been greeted with a warm smile by Jan Siano. As the new administrative assistant, Jan is one of the first faces you’ll see upon arrival, making visitors feel welcome and at home.


His journey as a member of the team at Alex Wood House began when he was just 16. Originally starting as a weekend housekeeper for extra pocket money, Jan quickly fell in love with the care home’s strong sense of community and authentic care. Encouraged by his father, who had been deputy manager at both Alex Wood House and its sister home, Langdon House, Jan discovered a deep passion for working in the care sector


Nikki

Nikki Renton

Job Title: Lifestyles Co-Ordinator

Joined: 2024

Nikki joined Alex Wood House in September 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience in hospitality and event planning, including regular events at The Old School House. For the past three years, she has also run a weekly art group in her village, working with older ladies and exploring creative activities, an experience that inspired her to pursue a role that combines her passion for helping others, creativity, and social connection.


Nikki thrives on building meaningful relationships with residents and especially enjoys taking them out on trips, where she sees their personalities truly shine in new environments. She loves the variety each day brings and finds great fulfilment in knowing that her presence brings joy and enrichment to residents’ lives.


Frequently Asked Questions about Alex Wood House

What types of Care is Alex Wood House registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia & Respite Care are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

What additional types of Care does Alex Wood House provide?

Palliative Care, Convalescent Care, Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit & End of Life Care are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does Alex Wood House have?

There are 36 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Alex Wood House?

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

How far is Alex Wood House to the centre of Cambridge?

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