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Barchester Hickathrift House

217 Smeeth Road, Marshland St James, Wisbech, Norfolk PE14 8JB
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We had no hesitation in placing Dad in Hickathrift's capable handsAnthony M(Son of Resident/Service User)
Barchester Hickathrift House, Wisbech
I cannot speak too highly of all the members of staff at Hickathrift.Jane B(Respite Resident/Service User)
Barchester Hickathrift House, Wisbech
Barchester Hickathrift House, Wisbech

Hickathrift House is a purpose-built Care Home set in the village of Marshland St James - situated between Wisbech and Kings Lynn. It is approximately 30 minutes from Sandringham, 40 minutes from Hunstanton and the home specialises in providing Residential Care, Dementia Care and Pre-bookable respite stays for older individuals.

Communities at Hickathrift House are smaller with a family feel so residents' feel safe and comfortable. Care is focused on independence,...  

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Care Provided by Barchester Hickathrift House

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 54 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • 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

Type of carePermanentRespite
Residential CareFrom £1,350N/A

Barchester Hickathrift House £1,350.00 This Weekly Fee rate is an indication only of a typical standard fee rate for a resident living in a standard, comfortable room. A final Weekly Fee rate will be confirmed once we have carried out a pre-admission needs assessment.

Contact Barchester Hickathrift 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

Person in charge

  • Paula Melerski (General Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2019

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (54)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (13)

Visiting

  • Please feel free to visit Hickathrift House anytime - the door is always open! Visitors are more than welcome to come along to the life enrichment programme of activities and join their loved ones as they participate too! Please do talk to the Activities Coordinators if wishing to join in on excursions on the home's Mini Bus and they will be happy to discuss this further.

Parking

  • When pulling into the home driveway - please follow the drive round to the right to find the standard parking spaces. Disabled parking is also available - please follow the drive round to the left into the Courtyard where visitors can park closer to the home entrance.

Barchester Hickathrift House Reviews (124)

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9.9

Barchester Hickathrift House has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.927) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Barchester Hickathrift House has 124 reviews.

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Review from Margery G (Resident / Service User) published on 15 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

I stayed at Hickathrift for two and a half weeks whilst my daughter went on holiday. When I asked for different food that was not on the menu staff were happy to oblige, eg Egg sandwiches unfortunately I was on the first floor which needed a lift, which was really tiny and claustrophobic. It also broke down for two days and I had to have my meals in my room. I would have liked a bath and some of my laundry was difficult to find. I liked the chatty staff who were good company.

Reply from Susan Scarlett, General Manager at Barchester Hickathrift House

We would like to thank you for taking the time to give us feedback. Unfortunately, at the time of your visit we were having ongoing issues with the lift to the first floor, however, a new lift is being installed week commencing 27th June which will ensure that all residents are able to access the...  

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Review from Jean S (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 May 2016 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Whilst nowhere is perfect, having looked at many homes we are confident that Hickathrift offers a safe, friendly and caring environment.

Any concerns are listened to by the Care Manager and addressed.

Overall, we would recommend the home.

Reply from Susan Scarlett, General Manager at Barchester Hickathrift House

Thank you so much for taking the time to write us a lovely review and expressing your appreciation for the team here at Hickathrift House.

I have shared your comments with everyone that is involved in Dad's care. I can tell you it means a great deal to each and every one of them and makes me...  

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Review from Jane F (Niece of Resident) published on 31 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Staff are kind to residents and give them time. Only concerns - clothes can get muddled, but resolved ok. Sometimes unable to find staff when required, especially bank holidays, possibly working on minimum staff (understandably) but would prefer to see more staff at these times. Elderly very vulnerable and falls etc could happen without anyone being around to assist. Most residents seem to be happy. Food seems ok but again bank holidays not so good.

Reply from Susan Scarlett, General Manager at Barchester Hickathrift House

Thank you for your recent review of Hickathrift House. The home is staffed to the correct levels at all times; including bank holidays and weekends but there are occasions when staff may be assisting a resident and therefore are not always immediately visable. Staffing levels are reveiwed monthly...  

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Review from Jacky P (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 July 2015 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My mum's condition has deteriorated quite quickly and during the last four years previous to her going into Hickathrift House she had been very agitated and angry. I believe that she has found a sense of peace there, the staff are very attentive and caring. It is a well run home and you are made to feel like you are still part of the caring team. They always have time for you and any concerns that you may have. It came recommended to me and I would recommend it you.

Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 21 May 2019
Overall
Good
  • CaringGood
  • EffectiveGood
  • ResponsiveGood
  • SafeGood
  • Well-ledGood
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.

News (62) & Events (2)

News
  • 24 Aug 2026

    A Housekeeper at Hickathrift House in Marshland St James has received a prestigious 10 Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare. Chelsea Manning now Housekeeper, started at...

  • 30 Jul 2026

    Two carers at Hickathrift House Care Home in Marshland St James, Wisbech have received their prestigious 10 Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 10 years....

  • 22 Jun 2026

    Residents at Hickathrift House Care Home in Marshland St James, Wisbech enjoyed a spectacular party where the men were treated as Kings in celebration of Father’s Day on June 21st....

Upcoming Events

Awards / Recognitions (30)

Accreditations

There are no accreditations posted yet for Barchester Hickathrift House.

Meet the Team (13)

Paula Colman
Paula ColmanJob Title:General ManagerJoined: 2015

Hello, my name is Paula and I am proud to be General Manager at Hickathrift House. I joined Barchester in 2015 and my background is actually in Nursing.

As an experienced home manager, I fully understand how difficult the transition into new surroundings can be. My highly qualified team and I are committed to fully supporting you and your family throughout this journey and always.

I am passionate about our residents being safe, making them happy and enabling them to lead fully enriched lives whilst constantly receiving the highest quality of care.

One thing that I feel is really important is offering residents a lot of personal choices and as Hickathrift House is their home they have the right to choose what goes on here!

I am hands-on in my role, I like to spend as much time as possible with the people that we care for and I also really enjoy getting to know our residents' families and providing them with support when they need it.

Our team here at Hickathrift House are dedicated to guaranteeing that all of our residents are treated with dignity, respect and attention - thus in turn enabling them to celebrate life in their new Barchester home which I feel exceptionally privileged to be a part of.

I look forward to welcoming you to Hickathrift House very soon!

Sarah Sage
Sarah SageJob Title:Deputy ManagerJoined: 2012

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I am Deputy Manager at Hickathrift House.

I started my role at Hickathrift as a night carer in 2011, and have worked my way up through the roles since this time, such as senior carer, Night Manager and now Deputy Manager at the end of November 2022.

I am very passionate about my job and love to know that every day I come into work, I try my best to positively impact the residents' well-being. Knowing that even the smallest of things, such as a quick hello or a smile, can improve their day greatly, as well as mine. I am enjoying getting to know the families and friends which working 11 years on nights you can miss.

I am extremely dedicated to ensuring the best for all of our residents in all aspects of their care, and with the excellent support from all of the staff here at Hickathrift, it doesn’t feel like a job at all.

Tracey Hills
Tracey HillsJob Title:AdministratorJoined: 1996

Hello, my name is Tracey Hills and I have been part of the Administration team here at Hickathrift House for 12 years. I enjoy helping people and advising them where I can.

I have been part of the team at Hickathrift House for 26 years covering different job roles including Deputy Manager. I would like to think that I am a friendly and approachable person and look forward to meeting you when you visit our home very soon!

Kanita Oakey-Kierman
Kanita Oakey-KiermanJob Title:AdministratorJoined: 1995

Hello, my name is Kanita Oakey-Kierman and I have been part of the Administration Team here at Hickathrift House for the past 12 years.

I have worked at Hickathrift for over 27 years. During this time, I have been a Care Assistant and Senior Care Assistant - once I had my children, I changed to the Administration role which I really do enjoy.

I am here to ensure that our residents and their families are fully supported and it is a real pleasure to meet and greet all of the visitors and guests to our lovely home.

Having been at Hickathrift House for such a long time, I feel very attached to it and all of the home's community friends that have been made over the years too!

Kat Colangelo
Kat ColangeloJob Title:Activities LeadJoined: 2021

Hello, my name is Kat and I am the Activities Lead at Hickathrift House.

Since 2017, I have been working in the field of well-being and I am passionate and enthusiastic about enriching all of our residents' quality of life.

As the Activities Lead at Hickathrift House, my focus is learning about each of our resident's likes and dislikes and supporting them to remain receptive and active in addition to supporting them to engage with our local community friends.

I organise activities to stimulate the mind, body and soul in an enjoyable, comfortable way. My aim is to diversify and increase activities ensuring that there is something for everyone - from Wine and Cheese events, excursions on our home Mini Bus as well as individual bespoke person-centred activities.

Charley Mai Beales
Charley Mai BealesJob Title:Activities CoordinatorJoined: 2024

Charley has been a much-valued member of the Hickathrift family since joining the home in 2024.

She loves to make our residents smile and takes so much enjoyment in helping them to share and enjoy new experiences.

Away from home, Charley loves to spend time with her friends and family and play Sudoku.

Gerry Horobin
Gerry HorobinJob Title:Head of MaintenanceJoined: 2012

Hello, my name is Gerry and I joined the team here at Hickathrift House in 2012.

I started as the Gardener and have always assisted with maintaining the home - becoming the Head of Maintenance here in 2022.

I am responsible for all aspects of our home maintenance and Health and Safety at Hickathrift House whilst ensuring our residents' home is just how they want them.

Kelly Marten
Kelly MartenJob Title:Head of UnitJoined: 2023

Kelly has been a part of the Hickathrift community since 2023 and is proud to be our homes' Head of Unit on Memory Lane.

She speaks warmly about how much she loves to make a difference to those living with dementia and their loved ones, how much she adores her role and how the home is like a family.

When Kelly is away from home, she loves to explore the great outdoors, going travelling, making precious memories with her family and watching horror films.

Kerry Ann
Kerry AnnJob Title:Head of Residential CommunityJoined: 2018

Hello, my name is Kerry Ann and I am I the Head of our Residential Community here at Hickathrift House.

I joined Hickathrift House in 2018 as a Senior Care Assistant and then became the Head of the community in 2020.

During my career, I have gained my NVQ 2 and 3 in Health and Social care for adults and firmly believe the care I give to our residents should be the same as if they were my own family.

I like to make myself approachable to all our staff, residents, and their families. There really is no place I would rather be and I love working alongside the team here at Hickathrift House.

Julie Price
Julie PriceJob Title:Care AssistantJoined: 2014

Julie is a long-standing and much-valued member of the team, having been a part of the Hickathrift family since 2014.

She is incredibly passionate about making a positive difference in our residents' lives and often volunteers to join trips out.

Away from home, Julie loves to knit; this is a hobby and a passion she has transferred into the home, often joining in with the knitting activities taking place.

Lindsey Walker
Lindsey WalkerJob Title:Care AssistantJoined: 2026

Lindsey joined the Hickathrift family in Spring 2026 as a Care Assistant. She considers it a privilege to work with seniors and believes that care is her true calling.

For Lindsey, making a difference means engaging in meaningful conversations and providing support to those who need it most. When she isn't at work, she cherishes spending precious time with her family.

Barrie
Barrie Job Title:Resident AmbassadorJoined: 2021

Hello, my name is Barrie, I moved into Hickathrift House in 2021 and have a great relationship with the staff and residents here. I became the resident advocate for Hickathrift House in March 2022.

I like to help residents express their views and be a friendly ear when they need it. Should there be any areas of our life here that anyone would like to discuss or suggest, such as nutrition, activities or cleanliness, please contact me and I shall bring it to your attention at the next Residents' Meeting?

Ann Johnson
Ann JohnsonJob Title:Home HairdresserJoined: 2015

Hello, my name is Ann and I am the home Hairdresser here at Hickathrift House.

I am a fully qualified local hairdresser with years of experience in salon and mobile hairdressing.

I fully understand the varied needs of individual residents and know the importance of how the trip to the salon can make someone feel. Whether it is a Trim, Perm or Blow-Dry, I am in the home salon every Thursday and look very much forward to meeting you!

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