The Old Vicarage

I moved mum last year into The Vicarage, only because I moved house and wanted her nearer. Any worries I had were put aside after I spoke with staff who always make time to listen, are very caring and look after my mum. Mum is always clean, dressed well has her hair done each week, cups of tea/coffee brought each morning with a biscuit and the meals are ample and look appetising. Its not an easy job and the staff should be thanks for their help and support each day, I can rest knowing she is happy.

My father was treated with kindness, care and compassion at all times. The staff are devoted to their job and feel like the staff and residents are all part of the same family. We believe his quality of life was improved significantly whilst he was in their care.

The care home itself is spotless. Personal laundry is done with care.

Thank you all

Title: Wonderful Care and Genuine Compassion

We can't speak highly enough about the care and kindness shown to our mum at The Old Vicarage. From the very beginning, the staff made her feel welcome, respected, and truly cared for. It's clear that everyone here sees their work as more than just a job-they treat the residents like family.

The home is always clean, warm, and inviting, with a lovely atmosphere that helps residents feel safe and at ease. The carers are attentive and responsive, taking time to get to know each person's preferences and routines. My mum has not only been well looked after medically, but she's also been able to enjoy a real sense of community.

It's such a relief knowing she's in a place where she's happy, supported, and treated with dignity. We are incredibly grateful to the whole team for their dedication and the peace of mind they've given our family.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I cannot speak highly enough of the care my mother is receiving at The Old Vicarage (she has dementia), the staff are unfailingly kind, attentive and understanding, even in the most trying of circumstances, and try to meet the sometimes difficult needs of each resident. The manager is exceptional in her response to concerns and her awareness of all that is happening. If there is a (rare) concern, it is dealt with as soon as possible. Thank you for all you are doing to keep my mum safe and happy.

When I visit my friend I always get a lovely greeting from the ladies in the office and the staff that I meet. The staff are very caring in what is a very hard job. They are patient and kind and treat the residents with respect. They have a sense of humour which is essential in this job. I have had experience of other homes not in this region and I think this is an exceptional one.

Many thanks to everyone who works there.

My father has been in the home for five years and has been carefully looked after. The staff are always thoughtful and know my father very well. Everybody is friendly and there has been more communication from the home lately and the activities are more varied now. I have every confidence in this care home. Thank you.

The Old Vicarage provides a safe and secure home where staff make a real effort to get to know their residents and their needs, their interests and conversation. Real improvements in the environment have taken place recently to make the home more attractive and inviting to residents and visitors alike. Activity days offer variety, enjoyable experiences and laughter. Well done to all members of staff who have worked so hard in recent months.

I visited my mother three times this week. (I live in California and visit annually). Each occasion was very positive and I love the joyful atmosphere within the home and its staff. My mother is well cared for in all ways that matter and is content. I feel very pleased she was sent to this facility after she was no longer able to live alone.

My mother was cared for at The Old Vicarage from November 2022 until her death in January 2023. She was treated with kindness and understanding by the manager and her team. My mother's dementia made her understanding and behaviour different from day to day, and she was not always easy to care for. The staff always started each day afresh and responded to her moods and allowed her to choose when and how things happened, whilst maintaining her safety and dignity. My sister and I were always kept informed of any changes in her condition and we attended regular reviews to decide on her care. The home worked well with the excellent GP service at Fernbank to ensure my mother had a peaceful death. Like most families, we did not want our mother to end her life in a residential home, but it was an unsafe situation in her own home. Given this The Old Vicarage was the next best and I will always be grateful to them.

A big thank you to all the staff and the manager for the fantastic work you all do in caring for the residents. It is a huge weight off a family's mind to know their loved ones are lovingly cared for. The new decor and furnishings which have been recently carried out, are extremely tastefully done. I would definitely recommend the Old Vicarage care home speaking as someone who has their mum living there. Any worries are always welcome for discussion and it is run like one big family.

After a spell in hospital, it was decided Mum could no longer safely look after herself. She was worried about going into a care home but after the first 2 weeks of settling in, she loved it. All the staff were extremely welcoming and attentive, she got involved with all the activities and enjoyed the singalongs. Mum thought the world of the carers and always had praise for them, she said it's like staying in a hotel. Mum, unfortunately, passed away in the home at 91 years of age, which is where she wanted to be. We, the family, would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff for the professional and caring way they looked after our mother until the end. Once again thank you all.

I visited an old neighbour in the care home during lockdown via the most amazing little room which had been cleverly adapted to ensure even during tough times, residents could see friends and loved ones. The staff are friendly and helpful and the home is a happy place for residents and visitors.

Thank you very much to all the staff and the people who my dad made friends with when he stayed on respite care. Sadly my father has since passed away, but I wanted to say from the very first time he came to you, he thoroughly enjoyed his stay, and always wanted to stay and not go home. You all cared for him very well and treated us both with so much kindness and respect.

We have seen a massive improvement in Dad since he came here. His mood and general health have got much better. The staff have all been great. We cannot fault anything.

My relative spent 3 weeks at The Old Vicarage and I have to say they absolutely loved it and cannot wait to go back. The staff are all very caring and nothing was too much trouble. The manager has a wealth of knowledge and was extremely helpful and again nothing was too much trouble. My relative came alive during their stay and when we visited we heard nothing but laughter and that included the staff. The home was wonderfully clean and smelt lovely.

My mum was in the care home for five months but sadly passed away in January. She enjoyed her time there and was always happy and smiling. The care team gave my mum excellent care and treated her with dignity and respect. They always greeted me with a smile and were very approachable, especially the manager. Mum could not have been in a nicer place and I will always be grateful for all that they did for my mum.

From a first look around to assessing my father, arriving and being cared for, the whole staff (management to carers down to cleaners) have made us all very welcome and take their time to listen, support and advise where necessary. The fundamental aspect this care home had was 'homeliness'! You can have all awards, cleanliness and staff trained to the highest standards but without 'homeliness' a care home is not a care home. Prior to my father's arrival, I understand the care home had a low rating, but the new management and staff are and have made a big improvement with 'homeliness' a key element. I cannot thank enough all at the home for the care, compassion and help they have offered my father in his short stay.

My mother has been well looked after since needing to have the extra care the home provides. The staff are excellent, especially in difficult circumstances and great care is taken of the residents.