






Located in Breaston, Derby, The Firs Residential Home is situated within a beautiful Edwardian property dating back to 1908. As the first residential home of its kind in the community, it proudly blends over a century of history with the warmth and care of a close-knit family environment.
The Firs was originally constructed at the height of the Edwardian era, a time known for its attention to architectural detail, elegance, and...
Care Provided by The Firs Residential Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Eating Disorders
- Alcohol / Drug Misuse
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 28 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
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact The Firs Residential Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact The Firs Residential Home 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
Owner
- The Firs Care Home Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Josie Wilson (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 45+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (24)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
Visiting
- Visiting times 9 am to 10 pm.
Parking
- Private car park at the front of the house.
The Firs Residential Home Reviews (56)
The Firs Residential Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.703) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Firs Residential Home has 56 reviews.
My mum has been a resident at The Firs for 18 months. She is well looked after and as far as I'm aware, all her needs are met. It's been strange times as of late, so regular visiting/contact has been affected. When visiting wasn't allowed, weekly Facetime sessions were booked. The staff are extremely approachable and easy to get on with. I wouldn't hesitate to contact The Firs if any issues or problems occurred.
The care and consideration given to my mother has been excellent in the 4 years she has been in residence. The staff are sympathetic and understanding to all the resident's needs.
Dad has been extremely well looked after during a very difficult time. We are so grateful for everything The Firs have done.
She is extremely well looked after all of the time, she always appears very happy and settled, the staff are all very attentive and provide lots of stimulation through activities and positive interaction with her.
Her room is lovely; it has always been bright and clean with a lovely fresh smell.
The food is always of a very high standard.
The staff are always very welcoming when I have visited, and they have managed the Covid situation very professionally throughout the lockdown by following all Government guidelines to the letter.
I would not hesitate in recommending The Firs to any friend/relative who may have to choose a care home for their own loved ones.
My mother has been at The Firs for 2 years now. I have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful. The management listen and respond to any concerns I have had for my mothers care. They are all approachable. The home is kept spotless and clean, never has a care home 'smell' about it. The food is home-cooked and varied. Last June my mother feel out of bed, a young member of staff stayed by her side until the ambulance came many hours later. Mum had broken her hip, she was 99 years old. She was welcomed back as soon as she was well enough after the operation to get in and out of a wheelchair. She was 100 years old in October. They put on a spread fit for a queen and entertainment, family were welcome to join in the celebrations. Nothing was too much trouble. Admiration and respect work both ways.
I like going because the staff are very caring and friendly. The food is good and they are very welcoming, even down to the kitchen staff.
Relaxed homely atmosphere - staff are friendly and respectful of residents feelings and needs. Activities are appropriate to the residents needs and abilities - lots of extra care such as massages and pedicures to meet individual needs. All staff are very friendly towards visitors and are always happy and caring towards all the residents - what every their needs.
Mum was a resident of The Firs for just over 3 years. She was very happy there and really looked on it as her home. The staff were very kind and caring towards her and she was very well looked after. Mum's dementia advanced rapidly during her last year and the home coped amazingly well with some quite challenging behaviour. The staff continued to look after mum until her death in the home. We can't praise them enough for their wonderful care for us as well as mum.
Always kept up to date from management.
Looks after my godfather very well.
Couldn't do any more.
Having visited many nursing homes in the Nottingham and Derby area, The First is by far the best by a mile. Refreshing when entering, greeted by friendly staff gives a very pleasant and welcoming feeling. Well done to all doing a difficult job, very often in trying circumstances.
This care home was by far the best we visited when looking for a care home for my auntie. It didn't smell when we walked in the door. The staff were friendly. My aunt has been here 3 years and we have been very happy with her care. The staff look after her very well and we are kept informed.
My aunt was treated with dignity, care and compassion, we as a family will be forever grateful as they shared in our laughter and tears for this most remarkable woman.
Having had to find a care home at short notice for my mother when my father became too ill to cope with mums deteriorating Dementia I was delighted that I chose The Firs. For the last four years, their care and support has been excellent. All the staff are very caring and helpful in every way with special mention to the team leader who leads the team in an admiring way. Highly recommended.
My wife and I have two relatives in The Firs, one for almost six years and one for 3 1/2 years. Both have received excellent care and attention. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff to assisting residents. Food is of very high standard and family are always welcome to try the food.
The Firs is a residential care home located in the picturesque village of Breaston, within easy reach of Nottingham and Derby. They offer both personal care and specialist dementia care to male and female residents in their 24 superbly-appointed rooms.
I find The Firs Residential Home a homely, friendly place, pretty garden with seating for residents who wish to sit outside. It is in a peaceful location and for visitors who do not drive it is conveniently a short walk to a bus stop, for various routes.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 21 February 2025Requires improvement
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeRequires improvement
- Well-ledRequires improvement
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 The Firs Residential Home.
There are no upcoming events for The Firs Residential Home.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for The Firs Residential Home.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for The Firs Residential Home.
Meet the Team (2)

Josie Wilson brings over 10 years of dedicated experience in the healthcare and residential care sector. She holds a Level 4 NVQ and is a certified Registered Manager, ensuring the highest standards of care are maintained within the facility.
Josie has demonstrated ability to lead and manage a multidisciplinary team effectively, promoting a positive and supportive work environment. She has strong clinical knowledge and understanding of best practices in residential care, ensuring optimal health outcomes for residents. Josie is proficient in ensuring compliance with CQC regulations governing residential care facilities.
Josie has brought with her a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance care delivery and resident satisfaction. She has recently introduced many changes to modernise and upgrade the home, including digitising social care records.
Josie is compassionate and empathetic towards the needs of residents, treating each individual with dignity, respect, and kindness. Moreover, she is a strong advocate for resident rights, autonomy, and quality of life, ensuring their voices are heard and their preferences are respected.
She is dedicated to continuous learning and professional development, staying updated with the latest trends and developments in the residential care sector as well as preparing to complete her Level 5 NVQ.
Josie Wilson is committed to creating a nurturing and supportive environment where residents feel valued, safe, and empowered. She believes in fostering a culture of excellence, compassion, and collaboration, striving to enhance the overall well-being and quality of life of each resident under her care. Josie has the full support of both Directors in ensuring we commit to delivering the highest standard of care possible.

Amelia has been a part of the team at The Firs for almost two years, originally joining in domestic services. She stepped into the role of Activities Coordinator in May 2025, after discovering a passion for creating meaningful and enjoyable experiences for residents.
Since taking on the coordinator role, Amelia organised a successful Summer Gala, raising an amazing £520 for the Residents’ Comfort Fund, which was used to purchase a projector screen for movie afternoons. Events like this allow the team at The Firs to enhance the well-being of residents while strengthening connections with families and supporters.
Amelia is always looking for new ideas to keep things fresh for residents with engaging and inclusive activities for everyone, from seated sports like basketball to decorating cookies; there's never a dull day at The Firs!
Building relationships is a big part of Amelia's role, as she takes her time to get to know residents so that she can incorporate their interests into her plans. Examples include a bee sanctuary that was added to the garden after one of the residents expressed an interest in bees. She also introduced pet therapy, which has been a big hit with residents, as well as local community visits from the local preschool and church.
Amelia is committed to ensuring everyone at The Firs feels valued, supported, and involved. Her goal is to integrate activities into the wider community, creating opportunities for residents to connect, participate, and feel part of the world around them.
"I love bringing energy, creativity, and companionship into the daily lives of residents at The Firs, who I consider family."
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact The Firs Residential Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Firs Residential Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.