St Marys

Woodlands Road, Holbrook, Ipswich IP9 2PS
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9.8 152 Reviews
  • St Marys, Ipswich
St Marys, in Ipswich, is a purpose-built facility supporting up to 60 older people to live a comfortable lifestyle, as well as offering dementia care. It is located in an idyllic peninsula setting in the village of Holbrook.

The home continues to welcome new residents for a range of residential care services, including convalescence care, respite care, trial stays, and long term care for those who can no longer look after themselves.

The St Marys care team gets to know their customers and works with them to organise wellness activities which match individual and group interests, both in the care home and the local community. Each customer’s individual needs are regularly assessed to ensure their care plans meet their lifestyle requirements. Meals are cooked fresh and from locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients where possible by a highly trained catering team.

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.
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Care Provided by St Marys

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 60 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • 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 £1350
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1350
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1350
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1350

Our colleagues at St Marys 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 St Marys 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

  • Anna Dabrowska (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (60)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (59)

Visiting

  • Visitors are welcome at St Marys.

Parking

  • Onsite parking is available, including disabled spaces.

St Marys Reviews (152)

9.8

St Marys has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.770) out of 10, based on 31 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time St Marys has 152 reviews.

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Review from M L (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The care home is clean and tidy.
The staff are helpful and always happy to help with any problems.
I feel it is a very safe place for my mum to live and be cared for.
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Review from Paul E (Son of Resident) published on 25 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum is looked after well and seems settled and happy. Staff are friendly and helpful. Very confident she is safe.
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Review from Jo H (Friend of Resident) published on 25 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Clean care home.
Residents are happy.
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Review from John R (Friend of Resident) published on 21 February 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Clean and pleasant surroundings. Our friend is very happy here. Lovely choice of meals and healthy activities. For residents. Pleased to hear that residents have an opportunity to meet management and have their say. Very good all round.
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Review from Jack B (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 17 December 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I enjoyed my visit and the staff were very helpful. The system seemed to work well and the meals were good.
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Review from Iris L (Wife of Resident) published on 12 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I find the home very welcoming also the carers work very calm which really works with the residents. They have been very helpful helping my husband to settle in.
It is also nice that nothing is too much trouble if you speak to them about anything. A very good home.
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Review from Steven B (Son of Resident) published on 15 August 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Residents have good sized rooms with toilets. They have plenty of room to sit about and chat with each other and they have a good variety of food to eat at meal times and their medication is supplied at meal times.


Carers are always on hand to help the residents.

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Review from John S (Son of Resident) published on 25 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The manager and her staff went out of their way to ensure a quick and seamless transition for my parents. They have been extremely courteous and kind. As a family, we know they are being well cared for. They settled in far better than we could have anticipated and are very happy.
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Review from Cicely W (Wife of Resident) published on 20 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My husband was a resident at St Mary's Holbrook from March until December 2017 until his death from dementia.
During this time he had excellent care from all staff who were there for him at all times. He was kept clean and comfortable at all times. The food was good and he was consulted as to what
he fancied when eating was a problem.
As well as his care the whole family were greeted with a smile and a friendly word which meant a great deal in difficult situations.
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Review from A A (Sister of Resident) published on 13 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
It is good to see my brother well cared for and looked after. Since arriving at St Marys, he has got stronger and he is enjoying life more than before he was a resident.
He enjoys the activities provided, the food, the company of other residents and the independence afforded him in his own room when
he needs it.
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Review from L F (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our mother came to St Marys' at Holbrook in September 2017.
I cannot praise the staff (on all levels) enough.
They are a credit to this home in all aspects of their work.
The highest praise I could give them is to say I actually feel part of a team all working with one aim in mind.
To make all people
welcome and involved in the care on every level. (I love these people.)
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Review from Maureen B (Wife of Resident) published on 23 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
It is an excellent care home. From the minute you walk in the door, you feel the cosiness, a welcoming feeling with my husband getting the very best of all care. I cannot praise or thank all the staff enough for the excellent care and kindness which is given to my husband.
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Review from Clive L (Husband of Resident) published on 17 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a very well run nursing home with excellent caring care. I would recommend to anyone the value of this caring home.
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Review from Garry D (Son of Resident) published on 20 December 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was very impressed with St Mary's when compared to other homes checked by my wife and I. I have been very happy since my mother moved there with all aspects of staffing and care, everybody is really helpful and caring. Keep up the good work!
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Review from Cynthia D (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 October 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum who is 93, a coeliac and suffers from osteoarthritis, came to St Mary's following a month in hospital, resulting from poor management of her coeliac condition at her previous home. We had been aware of St Marys through a previous stay for respite care, and we had been pleased with the care provided.
She has now been in St Mary's for 4 months and her health, mobility and spirit are improved beyond our hopes and expectations.


The attention to managing her gluten-free diet, providing stimulation by way of the activities, care of personal hygiene and interaction with the management and staff, has given mum a renewed zest for life. The chef regularly discusses her diet and ensures that she has a choice and varied meals at all times. We can not praise the St Marys staff enough for giving back mum her dignity, and her family peace of mind she is in safe and caring hands.

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Review from Sue W (Partner of Resident) published on 16 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My partner went into St Marys in February, he has settled in really well.
The staff are lovely, really friendly and always ready to listen if I have any worries.
The care and dedication to the residents is first class.
I am very happy with the all round support my partner gets.
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Review from Gillian K (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We moved Mum to St Mary's from sheltered accommodation due to her worsening dementia. From the day she arrived the care, she has had has been first class. Unfortunately, her health deteriorated rapidly and after eight weeks she sadly passed away. I cannot praise the staff enough for their constant care
and support of not just mum but me as well. I practically moved in so I could be with her to the end and they made sure I had food, drinks, mattress and bedding and showering facilities. All the staff looked after us and I will miss them. Constable is such a happy, uplifting place to be.
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Review from M H (Great-Niece of Resident) published on 15 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My aunt was sat comfortably, on an air cushion with a side table within reach and where she could choose to look out of the window or watch the TV.
I was pleased to find she had moved rooms, where the decor and furniture were new, fresh and clean.
My only concern is the size of the room, taking into
account the use of a hoist. Perhaps repositioning the bed might help? Her care plan was up to date and she looked clean and dressed appropriately.
I am happy with the care my aunt is receiving, thank you.
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Review from Christine P (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 8 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My relative is being very well cared for. The staff are supportive, kind and caring. The home is comfortable and clean and very homely.
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Review from Keith P (Son of Resident) published on 8 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff are excellent and look after my mum with care and dignity. Mum is often saying how lovely they are.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.770)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.770) out of 10 for St Marys 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 31 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 31 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 4.770 for St Marys is calculated as follows: ( (284 Excellents x 5) + (80 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 366 Ratings = 4.77
  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 St Marys is based on 31 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 60 registered maximum number of service users is 12, which has been reached with 31 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: 6 Dec 2023

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

3 Bed Vacancies

Posted: 13 Oct 2025

We currently have three vacancies for care. Please contact St Marys for further details.

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Awards / Recognitions (10)

Meet the Team (3)

Anna

Anna

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2015

Hi, I’m Anna. I’ve been with Anchor for almost a decade.


My focus as Home Manager has solidified around pioneering dementia care and fostering a people-oriented environment. Our team, through collaborative efforts, has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and resident satisfaction, upholding high standards of care.


With a strong foundation in care management, I've launched initiatives that promote staff development and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.

Alison

Alison

Job Title: Administrator Joined: 2015

Hi, I’m Allison, and I have been the administrator for St Mary’s for over 10 years now.


My role requires a fair few different hats, including reception, payroll, recruitment, purchasing, and finance, to name a few, and I love the variety that the role brings. My main focus, however, is to be approachable for all residents, family and staff. We operate on an open-door policy, so pop in and say hello; there’s always cake and coffee to be found.

Marco

Marco

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Hello, my name is Marco, and I am the Deputy Manager at St Mary´s care home. My goal is to ensure the care we provide is person-centred, loving and caring.


I like to lead my team by example. Having years of experience in rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals has given me a baggage of tools that I use daily to coach and guide my team to deliver the best care possible and ensure our residents remain safe, healthy, and happy.

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