Community of St Mary at the Cross

What truly stood out was the atmosphere-it felt like family. I have no hesitation in giving this home a 5-star recommendation to anyone who wants their loved one to be safe, respected, and genuinely cared for.

Mum has been resident at Henry Nihill House for many months now. I first visited the home during a difficult period when a new placement was necessary. I formed a good impression following a meeting with the home manager, who showed me around. That positive sense has been reinforced with the passage of time. The team provides a high standard of care and Mum is well looked after. Many activities are arranged and there is a strong sense of community. The opportunity for residents to spend time outside during the warmer months, notwithstanding their restricted mobility and care needs, is a real bonus. On a number of occasions, members of staff have demonstrated by their actions that they see this as more than just a job. I am very grateful for their hard work and dedication.

The building is attractive, very clean and spacious, with pleasant grounds and views. The staff, many of whom are long term employees, are friendly, graciously respectful and efficient. There is a peaceful and orderly family atmosphere of welcome. Food, facilities and activities are very good.

I visited my sister half way through her two week respite care stay. She was cheerful and relaxed and told me she was being very well cared for. All the staff I saw were courteous and smiling. The home is spacious, fresh and clean and obviously well maintained. Above all, there was a calm and caring atmosphere which undoubtedly emanates from the home manager and the home's Christian foundation.

The home provided a memorable 103rd birthday party with lovely decor, tea & coffee and a visit from the Mayour. All the staff came by to wish happy birthday. The level of personal care was exceptional with nails painted, hair curled just the way she likes it.

Such a caring home. It has a real family feel to the place, where it is clear the welfare and best interests of the residents are central to everything. The holistic and spiritual support is really unique and really benefits the longer stay residents.

We visited our cousin who was in good spirits. We were able to make the most of the good weather and sit outside with her in the peace and quiet of the courtyard garden. She really appreciated this quiet space where she said she could have a good natter. Coming from the Derbyshire countryside, being able to be outside and close to nature is really important to her and we noticed a big improvement in her mood. The carers took some lovely photos of us in the garden that we can share with the rest of the family.

Amazing care and understanding so happy my mum is now here could not ask for better care knowing my mum is well looked after gives us great help we visit daily and the staff are amazing food is also great and if there's something my mum doesn't like, they are quite happy to cook it for her.

My mother was brought here under palliative care and the staff nurtured her back to a good state of health. I would not hesitate to recommend Henry Nihill House.

The staff and facilities at Henry Nihill House are excellent. Everyone is very attentive and friendly, and they made sure that Mum could participate in activities with the other residents for as long as she was able to. During the last days of Mum's life, the staff made every effort possible to keep her comfortable and were incredibly patient and attentive in their care. We will always be grateful to them.

Mum has been a resident at Henry Nihill House for over a year now and seems to have settled in well there. She particularly enjoys going to church on a Sunday. She receives good care from the staff who are friendly and efficient. Staff are also responsive to any issues we raise concerning Mum's care. It is easy for both family and friends to visit and visiting hours are flexible. Henry Nihill House is a welcoming environment and we are happy that Mum is being well looked after.

Highly recommended.

I was a patient at Henry Nihill House for 19 months, and I must say, the care, professionalism, and respect given to me and the other patients was outstanding. For me, and what I observed and how I was, and the others, especially elderly patients, were treated, was with utmost respect and dignity, and everybody and everything was specifically catered for, and it was nice to see people happy and calm and very well looked after. The very kind, hard-working people there helped me to get to a level of health both physically and mentally, where I was able to go home, and for that, I am truly thankful. I would definitely recommend Henry Nihill House as a place to be very well looked after and cared for, as for having first-hand experience being a patient, and also being there while Covid/lockdowns were happening, and I thought that was managed very, very well indeed, considering the mayhem and frustration it was causing. In my opinion, your family, friends, and loved ones will be very well looked after here.

Our friend was a resident at Henry Nihill House for just over 4.5 years. Throughout that time she was very well cared for by all the staff who were always cheerful and helpful. We were regularly updated about our friend's health and always consulted about her needs. We were made to feel very welcome whenever we visited. Our friend passed peacefully away in hospital in June, aged 96, following a short illness but we know everything was done by the Henry Nihill staff to ensure all her needs were met, for which we will always be grateful.

My mother ended up here after a bad experience in another local care home run by a large company. The Henry Nihill home was without fault. The staff were very friendly as well as helpful. The home itself was very modern with all amenities, and the rooms are kitted out well. Unfortunately, my mum didn't get around to appreciating the home to its full extent as she became ill (nothing to do with her care) and was moved to a hospital where she passed away. I would like to thank the staff that gave my mother the care that she needed. Also, other residents that I met whilst visiting my mum were also very friendly.

My mum actually ended up coming into Henry Nihill for end of life care. They were fantastic with her and me. All the staff I met have been kind, helpful, understanding and supportive. I only have positive things to say about this home, which in itself is a compliment at a time when it is so difficult to provide services, recruit the right sort of staff to fit the ethos and ensure that the person is at the centre of care provided. Thanks to all who were involved with looking after my mum.

Contact with relatives is very important for their mental health, particularly as they are currently confined to their rooms for weeks with no activities. I know they are short-staffed and staff have Covid, but is it really necessary to give me the runaround when I am expecting a weekly Skype with my mother?

Thank you so much to Henry Nihill House and the wonderful staff.

My friend, whom I was next of kin, was in the home from 5th November 2020 to 01st November 2021, the latter date being the day he died there. I simply cannot praise the staff enough for the standard of care they gave him during his time with them. Everyone was very professional and on the rare occasion when it was not could be put down to agency staff and the problems were dealt with promptly and delicately. I know that my friend was very happy whilst there and enjoyed talking with the staff about his life and interests and the staff have told me they will miss him greatly.

My mother went into the home when she was 91, we were both impressed by the care and compassion shown. There were lots of activities even a trip to see the Christmas lights. There is a Christian ethos and my mother found this a comfort. As her mental ability faded she was still being involved, I was always called by my Christian name and she was called by hers. When I received a call that she was fading we were allowed a visit and got to say goodbye, I later learned that the nuns had stayed with her until she passed away, this was a great comfort to the family. From reception to the manager we received 5-star care and attention and I cannot speak highly enough of all the staff.