
My sister loves the garden area, and is encouraged to help out with weeding and plantingMargaret S(Sister of Resident/Service User)

My mother could not be in a better place. Everything that is important is being doneM A(Son of Resident/Service User)

Mum loves the food and company. All staff are always helpfulKaren F(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

My sister loves the garden area, and is encouraged to help out with weeding and plantingMargaret S(Sister of Resident/Service User)

My mother could not be in a better place. Everything that is important is being doneM A(Son of Resident/Service User)

Mum loves the food and company. All staff are always helpfulKaren F(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Brookside is an established care home in Melksham and has been serving the local and wider Wiltshire community for over 40 years. It offers compassionate, individualised residential care for up to 50 residents, and has been awarded an overall 'Outstanding' rating in its latest CQC inspection in November 2016.
Set in its own attractive and accessible grounds which includes a patio, summerhouse, greenhouse and an attractive enclosed garden to the rear,...
Care Provided by Brookside
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 50 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
These services are: Personal care, accommodation,
utilities, use of communal areas, meals, drinks and
snacks, laundry (excluding dry cleaning),
housekeeping, maintenance and activities run by the
home.
physiotherapy, occupational therapy, opticians, hairdressing,
medications, toiletries, clothing, newspapers/magazines.
During your stay, you may need to purchase additional goods
and services. If they are able to provide such goods and
services, they will tell you how much these goods and services
will cost and they expect that you will pay for these goods and
services at the time you request them.
They can accompany loved ones to private appointments,
however the fee attached to this is £21 per hour. Where private taxi
services are used for transportation to appointments the cost should
be paid for by yourself.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Brookside for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Brookside to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- The Orders of St John Care Trust
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Dawn Wallburton (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (50)
Brookside Reviews (73)
Brookside has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.796) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Brookside has 73 reviews.
Wow, where do I start? Brookside is just so lovely and friendly. So welcoming to families and friends. I came for lunch to celebrate Burns with my dad, it was absolutely amazing and so was interacting with the resident and they made me feel so welcome. The home is so clean and the residents are so looked after. As a family, we are so pleased that my dad got into such a beautiful care home. The activities coordinator is just out of this world.
What kind words, thank you - we really appreciate it. Thanks too for taking the time to share your experience of our home. We're so pleased to have your dad with us, and love that his family is able to join in with our events. If there is anything else we can do for him, just let us know.
It has been amazing to see Dad flourish and grow in confidence since he moved to Brookside. Nothing is too much trouble. As a family, we have felt supported and cared for too. We are involved in Dad's care and kept informed. The staff have taken care to meet Dad's individual needs and interests, and encourage him to interact and join in activities, which is so lovely to see. Thank you, thank you!
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to share it. I'm sure it will be of support to others in a similar position. It's great to hear that your dad is so happy and settled with us. Please do let us know if there is anything else we can do to help him, or your family.
I visit my friend about once a month and can say that, without fail, the staff are always lovely and friendly. If my friend is not having a good day, the staff make every effort to encourage her to leave her room and join in the activities or eat in the dining room. If she decides to stay in her room, they pop in regularly to make sure she is alright. It has a wonderful atmosphere.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review, we do appreciate your feedback. You're always welcome at Brookside and it's always nice to have visitors. If there is anything we can do for you or your friend, please just let us know.
Really impressed, last time I visited years ago, found the home to be very dull and carpets not good. This time it was so light and clean. Residents had time to just say 'hello'. The Christmas decorations and grottos were lovely. Also, beautiful pictures everywhere. The whole place gave the feeling of a home, not a care residence. The staff and management I met were great.
Thank you for your kind words about our home and for taking the time to write us a review. It's always lovely to have visitors and you're welcome anytime! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
I cannot praise the management and incredible staff at Brookside highly enough. My dear mum is so very happy here and so incredibly looked after with such care and understanding and dignity. The staff have been a support for us as a family too. The awareness of where Mum is and how she has been on any given day when we arrive is always impressive and shows true dedication.
What lovely feedback, thank you. We really appreciate your comments. We're delighted that your mum is so happy with us - it's an honour to have her with us at Brookside. Do let us know if there is anything else we can do for her or for your family.
Your always smiling staff could not have done more for her in the last few days of her life as well as the three and a half years she was in your care.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. It was an honour to care for your mother-in-law and she will be missed by us all at Brookside. Please let us know if there is anything more we can do for your family.
Brookside really put the care into care home. It has been a home from home for Mum for 3 and a half years and she loved her time there. I couldn't have done any more for her than the wonderful, caring staff at Brookside. Thank you all so much for making her last days happy.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a privilege to care for your mum and she will always be part of our Brookside family. We appreciate you taking the time to write us a review.
Brookside has always been extremely accommodating every time I come to visit relatives. My daughter always looks cared for with a clean room. We are greeted with smiles when we walk through the entrance. Depending on the carer, they update us on how my daughter is doing that day and help direct us to her. Overall, I'm very happy with our experience.
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to write us a review. It's a privilege to care for your daughter and if there is anything else we can do to support her, or you, please do let us know.
Visiting Brookside is a pleasure, always happy and inviting. Staff are lovely and nothing is too much. My grandmother receives excellent care. There is a lovely atmosphere, it smells really fresh and does not feel like a residential home but a real home from home. Always a nice smell from the kitchen and the food looks amazing. I always feel very happy when I finish my visit.
What lovely feedback, thank you. We really do appreciate you taking the time to write us a review, and I'm glad that both you and your grandmother are so happy with the home and the Brookside team. If either of you needs anything else, please don't hesitate to ask.
I love the care home Mum is in. I wouldn't put her anywhere else. I come to my mum twice a week and they are very helpful and their care for my mother is better than anywhere else. This care home respects our parents, my mum is 90 years and she loves it when I come in and have a chat with everyone. You must be joking to knock them down, I would give them the highest points going.
What lovely feedback, thank you! We're so pleased your mum is so happy with us and if there is anything else we can do to support her, please just let us know.
I am loving it at Brookside Care Home, been here for seven months, love every moment. They take care here, I really love them all, have fresh meals and activities I enjoy, like painting and making things, and another lovely back garden - sit out there sometimes when the weather's nice. I will never leave Brookside, that's a promise.
What lovely words, thank you! It's a pleasure to have you with us at Brookside and we're so happy to hear that you love living here. do let us know if there is anything else we can do for you.
The home is a pleasant place to call home. The environment is cheerful, clean and safe. Most importantly, the staff are cheerful and happy to answer the queries I had. They approach Mum in a manner to make her feel important, and that her wishes are respected. The kitchen staff "pull out all the stops" to accommodate her dietary needs. I have worked in the care sector and would be very pleased to have them on my staff!
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review and for your kind feedback. I'm sure your knowledge will be helpful to others in researching homes for loved ones. I'm glad our team is able to support your Mum.
The room, food and facilities are lovely too!
I am sure I will want to come here myself if I need care!
Thank you!
That's lovely feedback, thank you. I hope your mum has settled in well with us and I hope she's making her space her own. Please do let us know if there is anything more we can do for her, or for your family. Thank you for taking the time to write us a review.
My first impression and visit to Brookside, although I was quite unwell through the cockup of time arrived and thought so-called carers delays, was told I had covid. Happy by no means at all, however, does seem alter the feel at home. I find the staff will respect a lot and are 15% sure of TLC. All the residents are well included in everything, ladies are nice - could give just a little more mash at lunchtime, otherwise ok.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review - I will pass on your comments about mash to our chef.
I found the care for my husband was really wonderful. He was very happy there and had fun with the carers I could not have wished for anything better. I visited most days and saw the care given to all residents and the love shown to them. I recommend it to all people I speak to when they ask me where I have put my husband. I give thanks to them all.
We appreciate you taking the time to write us a review, thank you. I'm sure your feedback will offer support to others looking for a care home.
We were always well-informed on any health issues and constantly updated. Super place.
Thank you for your kind words about Brookside, we really do appreciate it. It means a lot that your father was happy with us.
People are very helpful and kind. I like it here very much. I enjoy the activities and people.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review of your experience at Brookside. I'm glad you're happy at the home and I'll make sure the team sees your feedback.
My friend moved to this care home after living on his own for 20 years and never leaving his property. This care home is amazing, the best offer he has ever had. Staff entertainment is amazing! Staff go above to make them feel home-from-home. Five stars.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. I'm so pleased your friend is enjoying life at Brookside. I'll make sure the team sees your feedback as it does make a big difference.
I have been extremely impressed with the level of care and the staff's interest in details about the residents to ensure their care is familiar to them. For example, wanting to know my father's football team and music preferences in preparation for his birthday celebration; so thoughtful and nice to want to give him a lovely birthday. Thank you!
Friendly atmosphere. Spotlessly clean and tidy. Staff are friendly and helpful. Always ready to listen.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 15 October 2019Good
- CaringOutstanding
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Brookside.
There are no upcoming events for Brookside.
Awards / Recognitions (9)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: The Orders of St John Care Trust
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: The Orders of St John Care Trust
- 28 Feb 2023Recipient: The Orders of St John Care Trust
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Brookside.
Meet the Team (9)

Home Manager, Dawn Wallburton, started her care career in 1988, working as a care assistant in the privately owned Shaw House in Melksham. When the owner closed the home in 2000 she joined the Miles Care agency in Melksham as a Carer. This career move fitted Dawn very well, as she was now also raising her young family. During the next two years whilst working for the agency, she worked in many care homes around Wiltshire.
Dawn returned to full time care work in 2002 by joining the disability nursing home, Cote House, in Chippenham. In 2005, she completed her City and Guilds NVQ Level 3 in Care. As she wished to continue learning and improving her care knowledge, Dawn was employed by the care company Community Access Network, as a Senior Support Worker. This was a new challenge for Dawn, as the job involved caring for and promoting independent living.
Dawn has held various roles with the Trust, most recently Home Manager at Seymour House in Chippenham, before moving to Brookside in the summer of 2021.

Victoria Hawkes has been with the Trust for nearly ten years, she started as a Carer and worked her way up to Head of Care at Brookside. She has worked in three homes, and they have all left their mark on her as a person. She very much enjoyed and learned from her role as End-of-life Lead and Medication Lead, which she said also helped her in her personal life.
Vicky has accomplished her Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care and she is now working towards her Level 4. Vicky said: “I enjoy meeting new people and supporting our residents in their time of need. Brookside for me is not just a place of work as we are all a family here.”

Maria has been in the care industry for 14 years and have worked at Brookside for 13 of them. She started work in Brookside in 2008 and has been a Night Care Lead since 2014.

Dawn Whiffen has worked in care for the past 25 years. She has had a variety of different jobs in the care sector, ranging from domiciliary care to a rehabilitation team member working alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists. In this time, she has achieved NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care.
Dawn started her Brookside journey in 2017 as a Carer and, has recently worked her way up to Care Leader. Dawn said: “I was fortunate to be nominated for Carer of the Year 2021 and I was very lucky to have been presented with this Award, which I am very grateful for.”

Jessica has been working with the Trust since the Autumn of 2022 and before this was a volunteer activities assistant at another OSJCT home. She works with the rest of the Activities team to provide group and individual activities for all residents to enjoy. Jessica said that the best thing about being an Activities Co-ordinator at Brookside is making connections with the residents and getting to know everyone individually.

Meghan Hooper has worked in the care industry for over 5 years starting out as a Care Assistant working up to a Senior Care Assistant and then as a Senior Nursing assistant in a hospital setting.
She began her Care Leader journey in the Trust in April 2023 and will be undertaking her NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care to continue her Care Lead progress.

Sally joined the team at Brookside in February 2023. She has had a varied career, mainly in Customer Service roles.
She worked as a carer in the community a few years ago and loved the opportunity to help keep the elderly and vulnerable living independent lives in their own homes.
Sally thoroughly enjoys interacting with our residents and coming up with new activities to keep them entertained and individually challenged.

Tiffany joined Brookside in July 2023. Tiffany has had a long career within the care sector, from working in healthcare recruitment to supporting adults with learning disabilities/complex care and working as a senior member of the team in residential homes.
Tiffany believes Brookside is a rewarding place to work by being part of a fantastic team that delivers person-centred care to all the residents. Tiffany enjoys being able to speak to the residents to find out more about them and their lives and finds it a privilege to be able to assist them through their next stages of life.

Beatrice started working as a carer in June 2022 in Berkshire and a friend introduced her to OSJCT in December 2022. She did a little research about OSJCT and believed in her heart that it would be a great company to work with.
She joined the Trust in March 2023 as a carer and was promoted to care leader six months later.
Beatrice is passionate about what she does and is satisfied only when she can put a smile on someone's face at work.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Brookside to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Brookside has an Enhanced Service -more info.