The Martins

Vinefields, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1YA
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8.9 37 Reviews
  • The Martins, Bury St Edmunds
MHA’s The Martins offers a truly unique setting, with a stunning cathedral just beyond its garden. The home provide residential and dementia care for 42 residents who enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of living next to a 1,000-year-old cathedral, complete with the sounds of bells and choirs, and direct access to the Abbey Gardens.

Vibrant and full of life throughout the seasons, the beautifully maintained grounds feature a charming summer house where residents and families can relax amid the soothing sounds of nature.

The home is supported by a compassionate care team and chaplain, who provides spiritual guidance for residents of all faiths. Life here is filled with unique and joyful experiences, from visits by Bambi the pony to rickshaw rides through Bury St Edmunds and lively ‘Bubbly Circus’ parties.

The Martins provides a reassuringly familiar and homely setting where residents feel connected, comfortable, and cared for every day. Whether you’re searching for yourself or a loved one, for short stays or residential and dementia care, the team at The Martins are here to help.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment
  • Alcohol / Drug Misuse

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 42 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Convalescent Care
  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other 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: £1395 – £1694
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1694 – £1994

These prices are only a guideline, please contact The Martins 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

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 55+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (42)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (42)

The Martins Reviews (37)

8.9

The Martins has a Review Score of 8.9 (8.928) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Martins has 37 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to The Martins
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Total of 37, showing 21-37
Review from Rosalyn H (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A very well run home, led by an excellent leadership team. The staff are kind and caring, genuinely concerned to do their best for the residents. My mother is well-settled there and content.
The building is well-designed. Both the common areas and the individual residents' rooms are light and pleasantly
furnished. There is a good-sized garden which is easily accessible by the residents.
Reply from Elizabeth Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Your Mum takes great pleasure being in the garden and could teach us all a thing or two about gardening. I will pass your comments onto the staff.

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Review from L C (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has been at The Martins for more than 6-years and is very happy there. She has always been treated with exceptional care and kindness by all the members of staff who do all they can to make sure her needs are well met.
From the first moment, The Martins has felt like a real home, and we have
always been welcomed as part of the Martins family. So when the restrictions were introduced early last year, we knew that mum would be safe and well looked after. We have not been disappointed.
We are only waiting for the day when we can all meet together again, like one big family. In the meantime, the home is making sure that we have good contact with Mum through regular video and telephone calls. And for that too, we are very grateful.
On top of all that, my mum has received excellent pastoral care from our wonderful chaplain.
Reply from Elizabeth Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you so much for your lovely words; the whole team will be uplifted. We are very much looking forward to us all being together again.

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Review from Corin L (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has only been at The Martins a few weeks, but the care she has received has been outstanding. She has settled in so quickly, and that is due to the care and attention she has received from the amazing staff. Management has been amazing at helping us get Mum in as quickly as possible and supporting
us at the same time. We felt safe in the knowledge that all precautions would be taken in relation to the Covid pandemic.
Mum loved her room overlooking the garden and with the view of the cathedral in the background. I cannot thank the staff enough for helping settle mum and making it a home from home.
Reply from Elizabeth Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for your very kind words; your mum has settled in so well, it is lovely to see. I will pass your review on to the staff as it always lifts our spirits.

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Review from Jane W (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 February 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been in The Martins for over 8-years now, and throughout that time, has been looked after brilliantly. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, and they care for Mum as though she were their own. It feels like a big family. When Mum came out of the hospital, having had a stroke, the
welcome and care she received were second to none. Her physical needs are catered for with dignity and care, and her meals are adapted for her swallowing difficulties, and yet everything still looks and tastes appetizing. During the Covid pandemic, the staff have worked tirelessly to keep the residents safe and well, and I cannot praise them enough. I am so pleased we chose The Martins for Mum, and I would recommend them to everyone.
Reply from Elizabeth Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you so much for your very kind words; it is we who are privileged to be part of your Mum’s life. Thank you for your continued support during these very challenging times.

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Review from Adrian P (Son of Resident) published on 28 January 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is an amazing well run care home! The standards and quality of management are exemplary. I would not hesitate to recommend it! They lead an excellent team. They were the first care home in the area to get the residents vaccinated for Covid. Keep up the good work!
Reply from Elizabeth Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you so much for your very kind words. I would like to personally thank you for your continued support of the home during these extremely challenging times. I will be sharing this with the team as I know it will lift their spirits.

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Review from Roy B (Son of Resident) published on 20 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been in The Martins for 2 months now, she was very upset to start with, but she has settled down nicely now. It's a pleasure to go and visit her, the staff are brilliant, always ready to help. 13 members of the family went for dinner on Mother's Day. What a lovely meal, you couldn't fault
it everyone is so friendly and it's so clean and never smells. Obviously, we were all very upset the day we took Mum in. The manager and the chaplain were so lovely and caring we feel we can go to them anytime.
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Review from Rosie F (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We moved our mother here from another home and she has settled in very easily, mainly due to the very friendly staff and also the clever arrangement of rooms with local dining and sitting areas.
Recently renovated and very well maintained.
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Review from M R (Sister of Resident) published on 29 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I moved my sister to The Martins in February 2018. She has settled in very well and enjoys many of the daily options of interest that are available to her. The Martins is an excellent care home in every respect and I can't praise it highly enough. Truly superb - staff, care, food, everything!
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Review from Deborah P (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The opportunity to discuss the ongoing relevance of existing care plan and to make appropriate amendments is very much appreciated.
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Review from Kim G (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother was a resident for over four years. During this time she received excellent care from dedicated staff.
This became more and more obvious as her needs progressed towards the end of her life when she did not want to go to hospital and was able to stay in her room. The staff made sure that her
needs were met. It was clear that they knew my mum really well and were aware of her preferences, e.g. food etc. They really cared about my mum.
I felt confident that she was well looked after and grateful for the support given to my whole family. Thank you.
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Review from Bob G (Son of Resident) published on 23 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father was a resident at The Martins and passed away early in March.
He had only been there for 4 months and during this time his care was exemplary. He was treated with respect and dignity and nothing was too much trouble. (Even though he could be taxing at times).
After his passing, the staff
were brilliant and kept all the family fully informed during this sad time.


I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff (I could mention names but I'm worried I will miss someone) at The Martins for the care they gave my father during the short time he was there.
I cannot praise the staff enough and would recommend The Martins to anybody who was thinking of taking advantage of this facility.

Reply from Liz Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for your feedback regarding The Martins. Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing away of your father. Your comments regarding our staff team are very much appreciated and I will ensure that these are shared with the team.

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Review from A F (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother arrived in January of this year.
We moved her from her own home which was isolated and hard to find the 24-hour care we needed for her.
We were full of trepidation but she has settled far better than we could have hoped.
She loves the community life of The Martins' - the singing and socialising
in particular.
Staff are wonderful with her and she glows!
Reply from Liz Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for your lovely feedback regarding The Martins.
I am so pleased that your Mother is glowing!
I will ensure that your feedback is shared with our team.
Thank you.

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Review from C W (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 26 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am well cared for and nothing seems too much trouble for the staff. I had lived independently for many years and although difficult at first I settled in quite quickly thanks to the very comfortable facilities and the wonderful staff at The Martins.
Reply from Liz Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience at The Martins. I am so pleased that you are well cared for and have now settled in well. I will share you feedback with the staff team. Thank you.

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Review from Vanessa T (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 December 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother was a resident for 18 months from March 2015 to 19th November 2016. She was well enough to choose her care home and she enjoyed 18 months of wonderful happy care during that time. The staff were wonderful and treated all their residents with individuality and so much thought for their needs.
The activities were well executed and every visit I made to my mother were so happy.
Reply from Liz Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience of The Martins. I am so pleased to hear that your Mother had a wonderful 18 months at the Martins. I will ensure that your feedback is shared with our staff team.

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Review from Malcolm B (Son of Resident) published on 15 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother's needs have been catered for and as her condition has declined the home has been very pro-active in responding. They have liaised brilliantly with the doctor's surgery and hospital. In fact they have 'forced' the hospital services to be more helpful. The staff have been excellent and respond
well to my mother and we have always been treated with courtesy and in a most friendly, welcoming and helpful manner.
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Review from Suzi (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The carers dealing with my mother are always exceptionally professional. They have infinite patience, however frustrating my mother becomes. I have nothing but admiration for them. When speaking to mum they are always positive and encouraged in an effort to encourage her to live as full and satisfying
life as she can. I am also pleased with the fact that carers and management are generally free to speak to me at short notice. A very friendly and welcoming environment.
Reply from Liz Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for your kinds comments regarding The Martins. It is great to hear your feedback about the exceptional team we have at The Martins and that they encourage your Mum to continue to live a full and satisfying life. Your feedback is important to us and I will ensure that it shared with the team. Thank you.

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Review from M H (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We visited many care home in our search for a "new family" to support us care for mum. As soon as we entered The Martins we were welcomed by caring, friendly staff who were genuinely interested in hearing about mum. We could see happy and active residents and the atmosphere was relaxed and has a "warmth".
Mum is now resident and has settled well to a new part of the country and to a new situation she did not expect to find herself in, that is due to the care, professional and support of everyone who works there.
Reply from Liz Fleming, Home Manager at The Martins

Thank you for taking the time to feedback your experience of The Martins. I am so pleased to hear that the atmosphere at the Home as been happy and relaxed with the staff taking the time to get to know you and your Mum. I will ensure that your comments are shared with the team.

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Current Review Score: 8.9 (8.928)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.9 (8.928) out of 10 for The Martins 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 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.1 out of 5 from 5 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 Martins is calculated as follows: ( (50 Excellents x 5) + (10 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 60 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 4.095 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Martins is based on 5 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 = 3.5
    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 42 registered maximum number of service users is 8.4. 5 Positive Reviews ÷ 8.4 = 0.595
  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: 13 Oct 2022

Overall Good

  • Caring Outstanding
  • 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 (8)

Meet the Team (1)

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Melanie McGarr

Job Title: Care Home Manager Joined: 2018

With a career in care spanning over 25 years, Melanie McGarr is the home manager at MHA The Martins. Mel brings a wealth of experience and dedication to supporting others, having begun her journey working for 18 years in a secure environment with adults living with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, before changing her focus to older people’s care.


Joining MHA at a sister home, Mel spent 7 years progressing from Senior Care Assistant to Deputy Home Manager. From the outset, her goal was to become a Home Manager, and in January 2023, she was offered the opportunity on secondment to lead The Martins, a role made permanent the following year.


Passionate about helping residents live later life well, she approaches her role with warmth, commitment, and resilience. She recognises that while the role has its challenges, it is also deeply rewarding, and she feels fortunate to be able to make a positive difference every day.

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