Hillcroft House

Finborough Road, Stowmarket IP14 1PW
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9.5 108 Reviews
  • Hillcroft House, Stowmarket
Hillcroft House, located in a tranquil area of Stowmarket, Suffolk, offers a warm and inviting environment where residents are encouraged to personalise their fully furnished rooms with cherished items, creating a true 'home from home'.

The dedicated care team at Hillcroft House is selected not only for their professional skills but also for their warmth and compassion. They provide round-the-clock support, respecting each resident's dignity and individuality. Regular assessments ensure that care plans are tailored to meet evolving needs, with specialised equipment provided when necessary.

Residents benefit from visits by opticians, dentists, and chiropodists, arranged as needed. The in-house hairdressing salon offers a range of services, including manicures and hand massages, promoting well-being and self-care. The catering team prepares delicious meals and snacks throughout the day, accommodating special dietary requirements to ensure every resident enjoys their dining experience.

Surrounded by landscaped gardens with mature trees and shrubs, Hillcroft House provides a peaceful setting where residents can enjoy the outdoors and observe visiting local wildlife. Its proximity to the town centre allows easy access to community amenities, including shops, pubs, and medical services, fostering a sense of independence and connection to the local community.
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Care Provided by Hillcroft House

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 43 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Palliative / End of Life Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Stairlift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1450
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1500
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1500

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Hillcroft House to find out the exact price for your requirements.

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

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Cathrine Arbon (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 60+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2003

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (41)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (1)

Hillcroft House Reviews (108)

9.5

Hillcroft House has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.503) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Hillcroft House has 108 reviews.

Overall Experience
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  • 30
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Hillcroft House
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Total of 108, showing 61-80
Review from Melenie M (Relative of Resident) published on 13 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A safe haven where I feel confident my father is receiving the very best care. All of the carers are lovely, friendly and always smiling. Nothing is too much trouble and the rooms feel like home from home.
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Review from Angela P (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My Mum was a resident at Hillcroft for just over 2 1/2 years. She loved the company and the activities and entertainment, especially Elvis. The care she received was excellent and during the last six weeks when her Alzheimer's took its final hold, we received such caring support and nothing was too
much trouble, even in the early hours of the morning. We are still coming to terms with our loss and I have not been able to go back to visit the staff but I know when I do the welcome will be warm; it's like having another family.
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Review from C B (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 March 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
It has been a learning curve into the life of someone with dementia.


Staff are pleasant, helpful, approachable and always willing to assist.

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Review from Diane T (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 March 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff here are wonderful. They could not possibly do more than they do and so cheerfully.
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Review from L S (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 March 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Hillcroft provides a caring, friendly environment for residents with dementia. The standard of care is high, the care workers attentive to the needs of the individual residents with concern for their welfare and comfort and obvious priority. The home is well organised and the rooms pleasantly decorated
and furnished, providing light, airy spaces for the residents.
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Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 March 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum came into Hillcroft on 19.01.18. I have been extremely pleased with the care she is receiving. Hillcroft as a whole is a very good care home. All areas are comfortable and clean. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The staff interact well and treat residents with kindness and dignity.
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Review from Lynda R (Wife of Resident) published on 31 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I think Hillcroft House has a lovely atmosphere, very clean and tidy. Care staff are very prompt, kind and caring. I visit regularly and I am made to feel very welcome. I sometimes have lunch with my husband and they are very enjoyable. My husband is so well looked after and I can relax.
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Review from B R (Son of Resident) published on 4 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My overall impression is one of a happy home, the residents appear happy as possible.
My mother has found it difficult but has started to settle in now. The carers do their best.
The home is clean and the food is adequate though not brilliant.
Otherwise, it's a very good acre home.
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Review from Martin T (Son of Resident) published on 30 November 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our Dad was cared for by Hillcroft House from January 2014 until his peaceful end in October 2017. The facilities were exactly what Dad needed to cope with his Parkinson's Disease. The home provided excellent security. Dad's changing needs over time were met with great care and attention to detail.
The decor and furnishings of the home were excellent with good comfortable beds and chairs. Food, personal hygiene, healthcare and entertainment were very good as were visiting doctors, chiropodists, hairdressers and entertainers. During summer months the home regularly took able residents out in a minibus for a change of scenery. Regular updates were provided to us regarding Dad's needs and to address any issues arising. In summary, the wonderful staff and the facilities in Hillcroft House were excellent over nearly 4 years of Dad's care. The administration of Dad's account was perfectly managed by Healthcare Homes too.
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Review from David N (Son of Resident) published on 13 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff are always caring and helpful. When visiting mum she is always happy and content. Food is amazing. Daily activities are excellent and mum always participates. My mind is at rest knowing how well my mum is looked after and loved in such a happy home.
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Review from Irene S (Wife of Resident) published on 5 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has been in this home nearly a year. He is very settled and enjoys playing ball games, table tennis and musical afternoons. He enjoys his meals and is well cared for, clean and dressed. The staff are very caring and friendly.
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Review from J C (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother has been in Hillcroft House about two years. She is looked after very well. She is happy and content. The food is good and the staff are excellent. Her room is sunny, which she needs as she is registered blind. As mother takes all her meals in her room she panics when there are a lot of people
around so prefers to stay put in her room. Her chair gets very grubby and needs cleaning more frequently than it currently does.
Reply from Amanda Atkins, Home Manager at Hillcroft House

Dear JC


Thank you for your positive review.


As discussed when you brought the matter of Mum’s chair to my attention on 1.8.17 the housekeeping team and I have agreed to check daily and clean Mum's chair as required to better meet standards.


Please do not hesitate to contact me again if you feel we are not meeting your Mum's needs.


Kind regards


Amanda.

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Review from D D (Partner of Resident) published on 7 August 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Placing a loved one in a care home is a hard thing to do and it is an exceptionally emotional time. The whole team at Hillcroft House have been so compassionate and caring to us as a family during this time.
We are a year on now and the compassion and care remain steadfast. The team have become an
extended family to us.
Thank you for meeting our relative's physical and emotional care needs so well and allowing us to continue to be a family.
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Review from Marie R (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 July 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Overall, our family have had a good experience with Mum's care at Hillcroft House. She did have some problems settling in as she had already been in hospital with a broken hip, then moved to a rehabilitation centre. By the time we took her to the care home she was very stressed and anxious, but the
staff reassured us that she would be fine after a while.


She had quite a few falls to begin with but now she is a little better with her mobility as she is settled now and is more used to her routine and using her frame which is good as it helps her to remain mobile. She also goes out for lots of day trips with the family which she enjoys.


The one problem we had was with her room as it was at the end of a corridor and other residents would wander in, which distressed Mum greatly. With the help and support from the manager, this has been resolved and Mum is now in another room where she has a little more privacy, so, therefore, she is much happier.


The food is of a very high standard which we feel is very important and also helps with Mum's wellbeing. The entertainment is fantastic and Mum really enjoys the music events (especially Elvis!). Also the activities such as flower arranging and making decorations at Christmas, Easter etc.


We feel that every effort is made at the home to make residents as comfortable and content as possible. We also feel that we can approach the management with any problems or issues we have and this is very reassuring.

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Review from Caroline W (Relative of Resident) published on 13 July 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My relative has only been with the home for a month. On moving in he has been supported by all the staff and the help and care has been amazing. His needs are very different due to his age and diagnosis but the staff have adapted to his needs amazingly well. He is happy and settled already. He reports
the food is good! His room is lovely with garden access. We look forward to him now getting involved in trips and outings now he is settled and familiar with the staff. Thoroughly recommend.
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Review from R T (Resident) published on 13 July 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very good, excellent! I have been here a short while and everyone is friendly and happy.
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Review from Gary B (Son of Resident) published on 26 May 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff appear to be trained to the highest standards and it's clear that Hillcroft House has a very selective recruitment policy. Everybody at the home from the cleaners, cooks, admin and care staff themselves are extremely warm and friendly and treat guests and residents like extended family
members. Nothing is too much trouble and any concerns that I may have about my Dad's health/welfare are promptly dealt with. I have no concerns that my Dad is receiving anything other than the highest quality of care and attention.
The premises are kept very clean and tidy and a nice extra touch is the tray of goodies and bowl of fruit that are always out and available to the residents. This is replenished regularly as is a choice of fruit squashes. I know from talking to my Dad that he finds the food of very good quality and he likes the choices on offer.
All in all, I can't praise the home and its staff highly enough. Thank you, Hillcroft House.
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Review from V K (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 21 November 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent service. Very caring.
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Review from Kevin W (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 24 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father-in-law has received excellent care from all staff at Hillcroft House. The home is always clean and the residents are well supervised and exceptionally well looked after. Staff are always willing to take the time to talk to you and answer any questions. Residents are respected and treated with
dignity at all times. Nothing is too much trouble.
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Review from Mavis M (Friend of Resident) published on 23 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff extremely pleasant and caring. Make sure residents are comfortable and as happy as possible. Take care with food and drink and involve residents in activities i.e games, quizzes or outings.
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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.503)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.503) out of 10 for Hillcroft House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 15 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 4.503 for Hillcroft House is calculated as follows: ( (110 Excellents x 5) + (47 Goods x 4) + (15 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) + (1 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 175 Ratings = 4.503
  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 Hillcroft House is based on 15 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 43 registered maximum number of service users is 8.6, which has been reached with 15 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: 18 Oct 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

1 Bed Vacancy

Posted: 13 Oct 2025

We provide permanent and respite accommodation for individuals with residential, respite, palliative and residential dementia care needs. Our services include basin with WC en-suite rooms and basin provision rooms. Additionally, we offer privately funded, local authority, and NHS-funded placements.

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Awards / Recognitions (9)

Meet the Team (6)

Cathrine

Cathrine Arbon

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2025

I’m a qualified Registered Nurse with over 12 years of healthcare experience, including time in the NHS. I love being part of the home environment, supporting residents with their goals, and creating meaningful memories together. Living just five minutes away helps me stay connected to the local community and build strong relationships.

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Kayleigh Lawrenson

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2024

Kayleigh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, specific to dementia care and has been at Hillcroft House since June 2024.

Terri

Terri Watkins

Job Title: Administrator

I decided to work at Healthcare Homes as I liked the opportunity of a challenge and I was very keen to work with those with dementia. Healthcare Homes was recommended to me by a local private social worker who praised the home. I enjoy all of my working days, never a dull moment.


Spending quality time with residents is very important and always brings a smile. I always have a sense of satisfaction at the end of each day knowing that the residents have been so well looked after and are happy. Knowing you have made a difference in someone’s day in a positive way makes working very worthwhile.

Lorna

Lorna Grant

Job Title: Activities Coordinator Joined: 2025

I enjoy being part of a supportive team where everyone works together to provide the best care. I focus on enriching residents’ lives by offering therapeutic activities that they find meaningful and enjoyable, while also taking time to engage with them on a personal level to bring joy to their day.

Gemma

Gemma Fisk

Job Title: Head Chef Joined: 2024

I enjoy working in a happy environment and cooking tasty, home-cooked meals for residents. With Level 3 qualifications in Food Hygiene, cookery, and hospitality supervision, I listen to residents’ feedback and value their company while making sure every meal feels like home.

Saranya

Saranya Hackman

Job Title: Chef Joined: 2011

“I started working at Healthcare Homes in 2011; I wanted to join as I wanted to challenge myself in taking up a kitchen role after working in domestic services. To be good in this role I believe you have to be passionate about food and cooking a varied menu and be understanding of resident requirements. The biggest challenge in my professional career was coming from Thailand, I had not baked a cake in 40 years, now I bake one or two every day!”

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