Bluebell House

126 Barkham Road, Wokingham RG41 2RP
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9.7 93 Reviews
  • Bluebell House, Wokingham
Support for later life.

Bluebell House is a recently refurbished period property, located within walking distance of Wokingham town centre, the railway station and local shops. The service offers support to older people living with dementia, and nursing care for people aged 65 and over who are living with long term health conditions.

The team of highly trained staff get to know residents individually and offer the highest standards of care and support. People’s preferences, needs and wishes are central to the support provided. The home works with residents and their loved ones to plan their care and support. The team maintain strong working relationships with local health and social care teams to ensure that care and support adjusts as people’s needs change.

People are supported to pursue meaningful activities and experiences while living at Bluebell House. A varied activity schedule provides lots of options for people to enjoy fulfilling days. The home has a dedicated activity coordinator, who plan enjoyable activities each week to keep people moving and entertained. Everyone is welcome to join in as much or as little as they like.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 50 Service Users

Facilities

  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Ruth Sohail (Registered Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Full assessment and care plan prior to admission
  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2023
  • Number of floors: 2

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (50)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)

Parking

  • Free parking on site

Bluebell House Reviews (93)

9.7

Bluebell House has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.721) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Bluebell House has 93 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Bluebell House
  • 30
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Total of 93, showing 41-60
Review from Paul J (Nephew of Resident) published on 5 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My aunt has been a resident at The Berkshire for just over two years. Before entering the care home, she was living alone and fiercely independent despite her failing health. It was difficult for her to move into a care home setting, but management and staff at The Berkshire made this transition as
smooth as it could have been. Although my aunt remains an independent personality, she now feels settled and happy. She always makes special mention of the good quality (and variety) of the food, and the brilliant work of the activities coordinator in arranging engaging and varied activities for the residents.


This has been a difficult year because of the Covid pandemic, which has meant long periods without visits to my aunt. She has found this difficult and demoralising. However, I have been impressed with the regular communications from The Berkshire setting out the steps they are taking on infection control and opening up the home to visitors in a safe environment.

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Review from David M (Husband of Resident) published on 22 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife has now been in your care for 21months and has always told me she feels content, happy and safe. Whenever we visit, the genuine warmth and attentiveness of the staff ensure it is just like visiting extended family. In the normal times before Covid, being able to organise lunch in-house for long-distance
relatives or friends was so convenient and cemented a glowing lasting impression on them all. In the roller coaster of the more recent Covid era, the positivity within the frequent updates via parent group or The Berkshire always reassured us by conveying the message of calmness and control. The latest constrained visiting arrangements may read as daunting, but the welcoming approach of your staff on-site make it so simple and seamless.
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Review from C E (Wife of Resident) published on 2 September 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall things are good and have been through this difficult period. Sometimes a little more care in certain areas would make things easier.
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Review from K B (Wife of Resident) published on 30 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband was very well cared for. The staff at all levels were wonderful. Not only did they care respectfully for my husband, but they also supported me as well.
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Review from Maureen H (Sister of Resident) published on 31 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care that my brother is receiving in the home is outstanding. They tend to his every need day and night. All the staff are very good to him and nothing is too much trouble. I am very happy with his care at the home, from a fine dedicated staff. 100% to all.
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Review from S B (Nephew of Resident) published on 24 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I reviewed several care homes before this one, but can say, with out a doubt, I am 100% satisfied. The staff are so helpful and understanding to my uncle's needs, they go above and beyond as far as I've seen. It's hard to put a family member into care, but any worries I had soon went. Would highly recommend
this home as it is 'Home from Home' (my uncle's words)!.
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Review from T K (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is a beautiful care home with attentive staff/carers and we couldn't have wished for a better home for Dad to spend the last few months of his life. He enjoyed his time here and took part in the activities every day. We were always made welcome and enjoyed a lovely Christmas day celebration that
we will fondly remember.
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Review from J B (Regular Volunteer) published on 29 November 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife and I attended the firework evening and we were most impressed by the attentiveness of the staff towards the residents, nothing was too much trouble and everyone was very caring. The food was very well prepared and presented. I also came here from time to time to give the residents a quiz and
the overall impression is that the residents are very happy, comfortable, well-fed and always treated with dignity by the staff.
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Review from K K (Wife of Resident) published on 20 November 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We had a very warm welcome on arrival. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The rooms were cosy and warm and the food excellent.
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Review from M W (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 November 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My father moved in 3 weeks ago and seems to have settled in ok, although it was a little difficult at first as he came from another retirement home and had to get used to different staff and a different atmosphere. He gets on well with the staff.
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Review from D H (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 November 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All staff, carers, nurses and doctors very welcoming and reassuring. Mum has been made very comfortable in lovely surroundings. She has been treated with care and respect at all times.
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Review from A M (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 October 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing but praise for The Berkshire Care Home. My mother was treated with patience, empathy, compassion and very professionally. The social activities are brilliant and residents are encouraged to join a very varied programme. The nursing and care staff are very kind and treated my mother with
dignity. From the moment I came into the home, I was made to feel very welcome.
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Review from K R (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 October 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The staff in The Berkshire Care Home work very hard to make the residents feel at home. They welcome and encourage visitors to get involved. Recently, I went to a Harvest lunch where the tables were beautifully presented and the food very tasty. The daily "Magic Moment" activities are varied. The residents
are encouraged to join in with Scrabble, physical exercises, singing and flower arranging. The garden is an attractive outdoor space also.
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Review from Pat A (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 August 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The food and facilities are excellent with a lovely garden. The nursing and care staff are kind, considerate and always very caring. The entertainment and companionship are very good with always something to do. Equally, the rooms are pleasant if residents wish for their own space. A real home from
home.
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Review from Pauline B (Friend of Resident) published on 19 August 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
This was my second visit to the home. On both occasions, I have been struck by the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff.
I took my niece's dog and she was fussed over by all. From a visitors perspective, this looks like a lovely place to be, should you have to go into a care home.
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Review from Emma R (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 23 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Berkshire Care Home staff are unfailingly polite, cheerful, helpful, friendly, patient and kind. The home is beautifully decorated in bright colours and is clean. There are trips to shopping centres, as well as activities daily. My mother in law has settled in and is now happy and engaged in life
there.
Reply from Tessa Matthews, Marketing at Bluebell House

It can take a little while to settle in, so it is good to hear that your mother in law is engaged with life at the home. The Magic Moments Club activity programme offers such a range of fun and different activities, all tailored to the residents in the home. Some are specially devised for older people such as our sporting and exercise activities. We are also keen to encourage getting out into the fresh air and excursions out into the community and local attractions.
Thank you for your feedback. It will be shared with the team.

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Review from Michele M (Relative of Resident) published on 16 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This care home is one of the best in the area. The staff are great and like to have fun. The ambience is fantastic, the food is lovely and well thought out.
The entertainment is exceptional in comparison to others I have seen and the garden is brilliant.
Reply from Alison Geddes, Marketing at Bluebell House

Thank you for your positive comments about our home, we are delighted that you find The Berkshire "one of the best in the area". We pride ourselves on the high level of service, which includes our care, dining experience and activity programme, so it is lovely to hear your great comments. The team will be very pleased to hear your feedback.

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Review from Gemma M (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 15 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Brilliant staff, lovely place to be.
Reply from Alison Geddes, Marketing at Bluebell House

Thank you for your positive comments about our home, the team will be delighted to hear your feedback.

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Review from Christopher K (Friend of Resident) published on 15 March 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff were extremely friendly, polite, helpful and understanding, as well as being patient and effective.
All staff seemed happy and smiling.
Bedroom, corridors, sitting room and dining room - clean and tidy. I enjoyed an excellent lunch.
Reply from Alison Geddes, Marketing Administrator at Bluebell House

Thank you for your wonderful comments about our home. At The Berkshire, our committed team are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care, so they will be delighted to hear your positive feedback.

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Review from S G (Friend of Resident) published on 25 February 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A clean, bright friendly home. Kind staff, always welcoming.
They appear to treat the residents with kindness and dignity. Whenever I visit, the residents are being occupied and talked to or rather "with" certainly. "Kinder brighter" is a good message to have.
Visiting dogs are welcome and it's good
to know there is a resident cat.
Reply from Alison Geddes, Marketing Administrator at Bluebell House

Thank you for your wonderful comments on our home. At The Berkshire, we pride ourselves on the high standard of care that we offer so it is great to hear your appreciation for our Brighterkind values. The Home Manager and the team will be very pleased to hear your positive feedback.

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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.721)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.721) out of 10 for Bluebell House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 16 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.721 for Bluebell House is calculated as follows: ( (155 Excellents x 5) + (37 Goods x 4) + (8 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 201 Ratings = 4.721
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Bluebell House is based on 16 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 50 registered maximum number of service users is 10, which has been reached with 16 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (1)

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Matthew Bowden

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2022

What do you enjoy most about your role and the people you care for?


I love being in homes and getting to know the residents. I love to hear their stories and I love to hear about their lives and experiences. I enjoy trying to bring good quality care to people and making a home feel like a home and creating a family-type environment, which Berkshire already has that close feeling. I enjoy the fact that the staff care.


What are your favourite hobbies and pastimes?


My favourite hobbies are football, I am an avid Arsenal fan which goes to show that no one is perfect. My biggest passion is my family, my wife and my two beautiful daughters.


Are there any highlights in your career you are particularly proud of?


My biggest highlight and achievement is taking my previous home from inadequate to a good rating with CQC and getting a 32 bedded unit commissioned with CQC.


What is your work experience in care?


I started as a carer in a nursing home in Uxbridge, Hillingdon. I then proceeded to attain a team leader position in a residential home. As a team leader, I joined a support team where we went from home to home supporting were needed so in one home I would be writing local policies and in another, we helped in closing a home and transferring residents to a brand new build. I then become a Home Manager in a 75 bedded residential home for 6 years taking the home from a poor rating to the good before transferring to another home that required improvement with CQC and taking that home to good, I was in that position for 4 years. The last home I managed was rated poor with CQC and we attained a good rating and commissioned a 32 bedded nursing unit to take them home from 59 beds to 91, I worked there for 5 and a half years before coming to the Berkshire.


What top tips would you give someone who is looking for the right care home?


You will get a feeling when you visit a home for the first time. If it feels warm, welcoming and friendly and the staff say hello then this is a good first sign. Also to review all homes on the CQC website and look at the last inspection, however homes change over time and a home that is rated inadequate or requires improvement can change with the right team in place, so use this as a guideline rather than an exact guide.


What do you like most about working for the company?


The warm welcome that I have received so far as I am only 4 weeks into my employment. The staff group at the Berkshire have been very friendly and welcoming and has been very open to anything that I have suggested so far.

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