Willowcroft

I can't speak highly enough of Willowcroft and would recommend it to any friends in my situation.

The provision of sitting rooms on each floor of bedrooms is very nice for those who wish/need to remain near their room/the toilet, but the rooms are not particularly personalised - I have only seen one, I must add. Family photos and perhaps a few ornaments from the previous 80+ years of life help people to feel alive and connected, rather than in the queue for the grave - and on that note, the mood there is happy and positive, unlike many others I've seen.

I was met by a young member of the care staff who was very smart and polite and I was given clear instruction as to how to get my friends room. The room was decently furnished but would have benefitted from some artwork on the bare walls. On leaving, I noticed a good number of residents looking rather bored in the communal areas whilst 3/4 staff were chatting and laughing in the office. I was surprised as surely some stimulation and company for the residents should have been a priority. This was downstairs. The entrance was welcoming.

For the past two years, my husband has been a resident in Willowcroft. I have visited regularly and have always been impressed with the home and staff. They have always treated myself and my husband with respect and included us both in any event that affects my husband such as falls, inflictions, change of medication. I have been in the home at mealtimes which are colourful and well presented, there is always enough for everyone. Please may I mention all staff who I have come to know well and made me feel very welcome.

A pleasure to visit.

Very good care, staff very helpful. Will try and meet any suggestions. Show affection to my mother and do not try to make her do anything she doesn't want to. Really try to make residents feel that it's their home.

Refreshments offered by friendly staff, general feeling of contentment from other residents. Let out to leave after my visit by friendly and polite staff.

Then we are offered refreshments; tea, coffee etc and biscuits. Everyone else sitting in the lounge seemed content. Then when I leave, I am let out in another friendly manner.

From what I saw, the medical treatment and response by all concerned was exemplary.

Since that visit and on all subsequent visits I have found my friend to be settled and happily chatting with staff and other residents. At meal times the staff encourage all the residents to eat together, my friend enjoys these times, they can choose the dining area they want as there are two. I am yet to see any social activities as I work during the day, but they tell me my friend does activities at the day centre.

My mother received excellent care contact with Willowcroft since the manager started, has been excellent.

Willowcroft looked after my brother with care and understanding. They kept him long after they could have passed him onto a nursing home, this was because it became his home and he knew and trusted everyone. I would recommend Willowcroft to anyone for their care, patience standard of nursing.

Very positive. All staff happy to discuss care, friendly and have always been observed to show care and concern for dignity.

Mum has found the shorter of her stays quite enjoyable, but she has recently had a two week stay and was not very happy as she was treated the same way as the dementia patients. She maybe 95 but she is still compos mentis.

Thank you to all at Willowcroft for helping me to arrange emergency respite care for my father when my mum had reached breaking point. The only minor issue, which was quickly resolved, were missing dentures and a towel, which have now been found.

They made us very welcome, everyone of the staff spoke to us on our first visit. I felt I will be happy to leave my husband in their care.

I expressed concern to the home manager as I twice visited my mother who could not reach a drink. I asked that they ensured this was addressed. Since reporting this, each time I have visited three times a week there has always been a drink in easy reach of her either in bed or in a chair. Several members of staff have proactively assured me they are aware and the actions they have taken, which is reassuring to hear from them directly.

Visited the home today as my mum is going to be there. What a lovely place, show round by the manager who is lovely, very caring and obviously has the residents at the forefront of her mind. All staff are very friendly, lovely place, clean, efficiently run, more like a hotel. The manager made me feel that my mum will be very happy there, which gave me great peace of mind.

We had a lovely greeting when we arrived, coffee and tea offered and then shown around. Lovely home, more like a hotel, the manager and her staff care very much and the home is clean, homely, friendly and warm. The manager made us feel that our mum would be well cared for and looked after.

I have looked after my wife at home for 2 years so when it was decided by the doctors that she needed full time care i was full of apprehension. When it was decided that a place was available at Willowcroft which i knew nothing about, it made me nervous but to my delight she has settled and health improved, i am much relieved after being together for 68 years, well done to all staff. Thank you.