Careford Lodge

Church Street, Merriott TA16 5PR
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9.1 26 Reviews
  • Careford Lodge, Merriott
Careford Lodge is registered for eighteen residents and employs a team of highly-skilled carers. Together with old age care, the team are skilled in looking after those with sensory impairments while supporting daily comforts and independence.

The home has built-up a sound community reputation and looks to make a positive impact to the lives of residents and their families, without compromising upon sound health, safety and security.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 18 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Ground Floor Accommodation only
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1100 – £1300
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1200 – £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1200 – £1300
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1200 – £1450

Please enquire direct for further information about our fees.

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Careford Lodge 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

Owner

  • The New Careford Lodge Ltd

Person in charge

  • Laura Zbijowski (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2023
  • Number of floors: 1

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (16)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (1)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (6)

Visiting

  • Visitors welcome at any time.

Parking

  • Car parking available in own grounds.

Careford Lodge Reviews (26)

9.1

Careford Lodge has a Review Score of 9.1 (9.083) out of 10, based on 3 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Careford Lodge has 26 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 25
  • 1
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Date Published
  • 26
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Reviewer Connection to Careford Lodge
  • 13
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  • 1
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Total of 26, showing 21-26
Review from Derek S (Son of Resident) published on 12 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing but praise for Careford Lodge and its management and staff.
My 100-year-old father, having finally accepted that he could no longer safely look after himself in his own home, even with carers visiting daily, moved into Careford Lodge following his second hip replacement operation.
I
think it is fair to say that he was dreading the move, being very independent and valuing his privacy, even though he certainly wasn't happy since my mother passed away several years ago.
But the wonderful Staff at Careford Lodge made him feel welcome and valued, as a new member of the residential 'family', right from the first day.
Whilst he could, at times be difficult, grumpy, anxious or confused, the ladies (carers) at the Home treated him always with respect, friendliness, patience and helpfulness, and it was such a relief for me and my wider family to see him gradually emerge as a much happier and contented member of the community.
I cannot thank all of the staff enough!
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Review from Carole C (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Careford Lodge are amazing. My mother has been here for almost three months and needs a lot of care. All the staff are gentle and kind and give her so much help. The food I have seen and experienced is of a very high standard with lots of choices.
I would recommend Careford Lodge to anyone
who needs to find the best care home.
Reply from Tracey Moore, Registered Manager at Careford Lodge

Thank you very much, Carole, for your review. It is a pleasure to have your mum living here at Careford Lodge. With warmest regards Tracey

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Review from Trevor C (Godson of Resident) published on 2 August 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My godmother was a resident of Careford Lodge - Merriott until her recent passing.
I always knew she was in the best home for her and knew she would be very happy there.
From my first visit, I always knew that there could be no better place for her to spend her last years.
The 100% dedication, love,
care and respect for the residents starts at the top with the manager and continues through the staff what ever the staff age.
It's like a top hotel and would without hesitation (110%) recommend to anyone who is looking at homes for a family member.
Sadly I live 200 miles away and if I ever need a local home in Kent I know nothing will match the quality and standards of Careford Lodge - Merriott.
Reply from Tracey Moore, Registered Manager at Careford Lodge

Thank you very much for your review, it was a pleasure to meet you and have your Godmother stay with us. She is very much missed.

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Review from Victoria G (Friend of Resident) published on 30 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Having been to a lot of care homes I can say that Careford Lodge is most definitely the best. The staff are all fantastic, so kind and helpful. Residents are treated as individuals and everyone's disabilities are covered.
Reply from Tracey Moore, Registered Manager at Careford Lodge

Thank you very much, Vicky, for your review, it is a pleasure to have your friend staying with us.

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Review from J F C (Resident) published on 24 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I gave up my home and moved into Careford Lodge. It had been recommended to me so very pleased I believed the person. The organiser is a very understanding person and can see where care is needed, yet does not make one feel "helpless" and encourages independence. She deals with staff individually so
we benefit from good organisation.
Reply from Lorraine Chant, Group Manager at Careford Lodge

Many thanks for your feedback. I am so pleased that you are happy with the services being provided at Careford Lodge.

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Review from Tina M (Friend of Resident) published on 17 March 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I visit a friend regularly and am most impressed with Careford Lodge.


The staff are very friendly and always speak to residents and visitors. They are happy to help in any way that they can. The atmosphere is relaxed and responsive.


Whilst I was visiting, they held a residents meeting where

they were encouraged to speak on any matter or future suggestions, be it menus, trips out or activities etc.


The rooms are spacious, allowing for a sitting/television area so that residents can have privacy if wanted. The lounge and dining area allow for recreational activities and games to be played.


My friend has settled in very well and been given plenty of encouragement since she has been a resident.

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Current Review Score: 9.1 (9.083)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.1 (9.083) out of 10 for Careford Lodge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 3 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.1 out of 5 from 3 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 5.000 for Careford Lodge is calculated as follows: ( (35 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 35 Ratings = 5
  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 4.083 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Careford Lodge is based on 3 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 = 3.25
    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 18 registered maximum number of service users is 3.6. 3 Positive Reviews ÷ 3.6 = 0.833
  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: 5 Dec 2019

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

2 Bed Vacancies

Posted: 18 hours ago

We have two vacancies available at Careford Lodge to provide 24-hour care and accommodation. Both lovely en-suite rooms have views into the gardens and patio doors to the outside space. For further information, please contact us.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (3)

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Laura Zbijowski

Job Title: Registered Manager Joined: 2018

Laura joined the team at Careford Lodge on
the 1st October 2018. Prior to this she had also worked at Careford Lodge for 16 years between 2000 and 2016 ascending in roles from care assistant to deputy manager.


At Careford Lodge, we celebrate the rich blend of life experience, knowledge, and skills of each resident, and
those of their family and friends. We aim to continually improve our listening skills, our consultation process,
and our partnership with each unique individual to safeguard and promote his or her holistic health, wellbeing,dignity and independence.

Jason

Jason Chant

Job Title: Owner/Director Joined: 2025

Jason has been affiliated with Careford Lodge through his wife, Lorraine since 1997. Jason's career has been in mechanical engineering and more recently in management of a plant hire depot. Jason takes care of the day to day maintenance and safety at Careford Lodge.

Lorraine

Lorraine Chant

Job Title: Owner/Director and Nominated Individual Joined: 1997

Careford Lodge was founded by Mr & Mrs Careford in 1997. Today, their daughter Lorraine and her husband Jason are walking in their same footsteps, embodying the very same positive values of kindness, compassion empathy, integrity, humility, loyalty and responsibility in everything they do to enhance the lives of those who afford them the privilege of knowing and caring for them.


Lorraine was the registered manager of Careford Lodge from 1997 to 2016. In 2016 Lorraine relinquished her registered manager status to assume the position of nominated individual and to support the then owners of Careford Lodge to look after their care home portfolio.


In 2025 Lorraine and her husband Jason purchased Careford Lodge to bring the family care home back into the fold.


Lorraine and her husband Jason purchased Careford Lodge in May 0f2025

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