St Marys

Woodlands Road, Holbrook, Ipswich IP9 2PS
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9.8 151 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 What's included?

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.

Contact St Marys to confirm what exactly is included and get an estimate tailored to your care needs:

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Contact St Marys to confirm what exactly is included and get an estimate tailored to your care needs:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Anna Dabrowska (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Please contact St Marys directly to discuss yours or your loved ones' care needs.
  • 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 (151)

9.8

St Marys has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.763) out of 10, based on 30 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time St Marys has 151 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to St Marys
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Total of 151, showing 141-151
Review from N B (Wife of Resident) published on 29 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has settled in St Marys and seems happy and interacts with other residents. The manager and carers are attentive and supportive to me and my family. They also keep up informed of his medical condition.
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Review from S H (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
In all respects; keeping us updated, looking after their needs and calling doctors, the staff are all excellent. Mum feels so safe and happy. The whole family is very happy with the kindness and helpfulness of staff. To provide all this I think a lot of the credit also goes to the manager.
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Review from Michelle D (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
An excellent care provider. Mum's needs are always met with care and dignity. Any issues are always sorted out immediately. Management and staff are excellent, approachable and part of our lives. My mum is very happy and content.
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Review from Jinny (Sister of Resident) published on 5 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
These last 2 days I have been visiting my sister, she recently moved into residential dementia care, as I come over 400 miles away I have spent 10 hours a day locked into a ward. Dementia patients all have their own life stories and I have grown to know and admire them immensely.
From the 100 year
old lady who rules the house as queen to the gentleman (once a mechanic) who has an invisible tape measure and does mime maintenance on everything to the other gentleman who reassures everyone of the love he and his wife share and how he is going back home to live tomorrow!!
The lady with her handbag and coat on, always ready to leave. My sister is unable to communicate but I feel very happy that she is here. Working with dementia is challenging but I have now seen the total dedication, love and patience the staff show at all times. Tensions and situations can become volatile very quickly and staff deal with everyone with grace, understanding and love.
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Review from Anthony L (Ex Family Member) published on 28 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Took time choosing placement for my ex-wife who has a dementia related illness (aphasia) and were appalled at some of the homes we visited. St Mary's was a blessing and faultless, from building/layout, and staff were excellent and we had no qualms in accepting this for the person in our care (her son,
sister and myself). Subsequent visits and staff care and help have been impeccable.
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Review from Paul K (Son of Resident) published on 4 May 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum was a resident at St Marys Holbrook for 18 months, she was suffering from Alzheimer's, bit still got around the home with an aid of a zimmer frame. She was very happy in her own little world and got on very well with all of the staff.
The staff were all very good with her and treated her with
great care, dignity and very patient when she was confused and awkward. As her only son I was very pleased with everything the home did for mum and myself.
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Review from Jill (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
St Marys is a lovely welcoming home. My mother is very happy here and I haven't seen here dance like I saw her dance in the corridor for years. The food looks good and there is always plenty to drink whenever I have visited. All the staff are helpful and kind and very friendly. My mothers room is bright
and cheerful and clean, the gardens are lovely.
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Review from G R (Wife of Resident) published on 26 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The staff are lovely they look after my husband with care and love, they are always ready to help me with any worries or problems I might have. I am pleased I found St Marys.
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Review from Louise (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The care and support that my dad receives at St Marys is very much appreciated by our family. All the staff, at every level, treat my dad with dignity respect and kindness. Any concerns or worries we have had about my dad's care have been addressed immediately by the home care manager in a prompt and
effective manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending St Marys, it is a very special place!
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Review from Tamzin (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 February 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother lives on the dementia wing at St Mary's Holbrook. The home is clean and pleasant. My mother's room was painted in a colour she liked. Above all the carers are all lovely caring people, who do all they can to help the residents. I would not hesitate in recommending this care home. Which I have
already done.
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Review from Brae Dog (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 December 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum seems very settled at St Mary's after spending some time in respite care at two other homes which she did not like. All the residents look well cared for, tidily dressed, hair done etc. Staff generally seem cheerful and busy, but not too busy to help us if needed e.g finding batteries for TV remote
control. Mum complains about the food, but to us the menus look varied and interesting so we think this is just her way.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.763)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.763) 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 30 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 30 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 4.763 for St Marys is calculated as follows: ( (272 Excellents x 5) + (80 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 354 Ratings = 4.763
  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 30 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 30 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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