The Firs

186 Grange Road, Felixstowe IP11 2QF
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9.8 135 Reviews
  • The Firs, Felixstowe
Anchor’s The Firs in Felixstowe is a purpose-built care home, providing quality care and facilities within a comfortable and relaxing environment. The home continues to welcome new residents and it is set in its own gardens for customers and their families to enjoy.

The home provides residential care which is personally tailored to meet the individual needs of customers and enhance their quality of life. The care team works with customers and their loved ones to create detailed care plans to ensure each individual’s health and care needs are continually met.

Anchor offers dementia care and provides on-going training for staff to ensure their approach always reflects best practice.

Anchor is England’s largest provider of housing and care for those over 55 years of age and has 60 years of experience as a not-for-profit provider of services to older people. Anchor reinvests the money made into their retirement properties and care homes, to continually raise standards to provide a high-quality service to surpass the customer’s expectations.
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Care Provided

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 40 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Facilities

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

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1466
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1466
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1466
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1466

Our colleagues at The Firs will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding our fees and what is included in our fees.

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

Person in charge

  • Colleen Farrow (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Please contact The Firs directly to discuss yours or your loved ones' care needs.
  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2006

Room Information

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

Visiting

  • Visitors are welcome at The Firs.

Parking

  • Onsite parking is available, including disabled spaces.

The Firs Reviews (135)

9.8

The Firs has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.833) out of 10, based on 39 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Firs has 135 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 135
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  • 39
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Reviewer Connection to The Firs
  • 42
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Total of 135, showing 21-40
Review from B M (Brother of Resident) published on 29 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very caring home. I have visited my sister several times over 3 years. I found the staff very friendly and very good at their jobs. The home is very clean and the residents are very happy with loads of activities. I would highly recommend this care home.
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Review from C S (Sister of Resident) published on 26 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Spent an amazing day at the BBQ with the residents. It was an absolutely wonderful day. The manager was on hand at all times to help out first class. Great experience to enjoy my day with family there and to see how happy my sister is, happy and content there. She is so well looked after as are all
of the other residents.
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Review from P N (Sister of Resident) published on 26 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I had the most wonderful day. I enjoyed all aspects of my day. Looking forward to the next visit.
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Review from C O (Relative of Resident) published on 24 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My step dad needed his mum closer to him and The Firs made this happen from nearly 200 miles away. Whenever I visited my step grandmother she was happy and well cared for. The staff are always friendly and management have done an amazing job.
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Review from S O (Relative of Resident) published on 24 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Firs has shown so much care and attention to my relative. The staff are fantastic from management to the housekeepers. The Firs has a homely feel and is clean.
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Review from Iain I (Son of Resident) published on 24 July 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When seeking a care home for my mother, my wife and I visited The Firs and were immediately struck by the feeling of openness, cleanliness and warmth of the staff, and were so pleased when a room became available.
Mum quickly settled becoming comfortable with her new surroundings, interacting well
with staff and enjoying her food. Mum fell ill after five weeks, was hospitalised and was soon placed on 'end-of-life' care and returned to The Firs, ostensibly to die. Mum has since made a quite remarkable recovery, due in no small measure to the care she has received from the wonderful caring staff.
The Firs is well run, the staff are professional, warm, friendly, understanding and go about their duties with a smile. They listen and also seek your advice and keep you appraised of any concerns.
We, as a family, are greatly reassured and very happy Mum is in such good hands.
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Review from M G (Wife of Resident) published on 19 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband was very happy at The Firs. I cannot speak too highly of them, all the staff. My dear husband who died recently was very well looked after and treated with dignity and respect.
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Review from C F (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our father was resident in The Firs Felixstowe from February 2018 to May 2024 when he passed away. Throughout his time there, he was very well cared for. The staff were attentive and always available to talk to help. Over the years they became an extension to the family and we were pleased that it was
The Firs that we decided for Dad. We have nothing but praise for all the staff and everything they did for our dad. Thank you to you all!
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Review from B D (Son of Resident) published on 21 May 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot fault anyone at The Firs from the manager down to the cleaners. Everyone is brilliant with mum. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Review from Danielle F (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 2 April 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Couldn't be happier, my nan is well cared for. Looks better than ever, is happy, well fed and warm. Staff are lovely and very welcoming. Always happy to feed us and make us drinks and invite us when there is entertainment.
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Review from Joanne C (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 March 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are very friendly and very helpful with anything and have time for all the residents.
They listen to what you are concerned about. Advice with things that my mother needs. Care home is very clean. My mother enjoys the food she is served.
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Review from V W (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 February 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum is still not happy but that's just the way she is. I know she is fine when we are not here so it must be us!
Reply from Nadine Coleman, Deputy Manager at The Firs

Thank you for taking the time to review The Firs your feedback is gratefully received. We are pleased that you are happy and feel that your mum is in good hands. If there is anything extra we can do to help with your mums transition to The Firs please do let me know.

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Review from T S (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 February 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I urgently needed a respite placement for dad and The Firs provided this at short notice. Dad and our family have been very pleased with his room and all aspects of his care and support. He has settled in so well that he wishes to stay permanently and we are happy for him to stay. It's lovely to see
him happy and secure.
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Review from M N (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 February 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
It is always a pleasure to visit. The staff are friendly and efficient. Mum is happy and healthy. The Christmas Party was great fun for all including the staff! The social media page is good for keeping up to date, especially for those who cannot visit often.
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Review from C B (Sister of Resident) published on 29 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I came to the home, without anyone knowing, to see my sister. Everything was clean and tidy, my sister was comfortable in a chair, warm and in good spirits. Staff are caring and cheerful.
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Review from Keely S (Niece of Resident) published on 29 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My aunt is being cared for very well. Thank you for looking after her.
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Review from L B (Wife of Resident) published on 24 January 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing apart from praise of all the staff for their dedicated care that is given to my husband. I am always notified if there are any queries and concerns that require my input/decisions. My husband has settled in very well, smiling whenever I visit.
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Review from Ian T (Son of Resident) published on 15 November 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother moved into The Firs Care Home in August 2023. Living in Australia I visited her in October 2023 daily for 3 weeks. I could not have been more impressed. The facilities are good but the noticeable aspect is the lovely staff. Everyone I met was very engaging, pleasant and cheerful. In particular,
the caring staff are tremendous constantly demonstrating a high level of personal care to the residents. I am delighted mother is now safe and equally happy in this excellent care home. Indeed I noticed an overall great improvement in her well-being.
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Review from L B (Partner of Resident) published on 21 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Everything in the home is ok! And I'm happy to visits all the staff are nice.
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Review from B M (Wife of Resident) published on 14 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can only speak of the two months my husband has been in care; this is my first experience of a care home. The staff are excellent, always friendly, caring and welcoming to myself and visitors to my husband. I have attended two BBQs at The Firs. The staff went the extra mile for their residents and
visitors. I would have hoped for more activities to stimulate the residents and a designated person to assist with this, if not every day, at least 2/3 times a week.
Reply from Colleen Farrow, Home Manager at The Firs

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review - it is much appreciated. We thank you for your feedback and are glad you find our staff to be excellent - we look forward to seeing you again at more events. In regards to activities, we appreciate your feedback. Some activities can be harder to prepare by colleagues for a large amount of residents taking part, but I would like to reassure you that there is a plan in place which enables staff to complete smaller group activities and daily engagement. Staff are planned to carry out certain activities to ensure they are completed within groups so all residents have the opportunity to feel fully engaged. There are also self-led activities and items that residents can complete between planned activities. Many of these are also posted to our social media feeds. We intend to continue to make improvements going forward and welcome your insights. Please do get in contact if you should have any further concerns, and we'd be happy to chat.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.833)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.833) out of 10 for The Firs is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 39 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 39 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 4.833 for The Firs is calculated as follows: ( (386 Excellents x 5) + (71 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 460 Ratings = 4.833
  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 The Firs is based on 39 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 39 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: 16 Dec 2022

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • 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 (10)

Meet the Team (0)

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