Bluebell House

My mother seems happy, so overall, I am happy for her to be here.

Services are good now with the current amount of residence.

Big improvements have been made since the new manager has taken over. All the staff are very friendly and welcoming. Although if more residents are taken in, I would like to think more staff will also be arriving, as waiting for the toilet is sometimes too long.

I do not feel that some carers have enough understanding about Dementia residents. They ask if my Mum wants to sit in a chair or stay in bed. Mum always says stay in bed, they should be encouraging her to get up. Last week my brother was with Mum at lunchtime, she had two chicken breasts which she was unable to cut up, so had my brother not been there to help her she would only have managed roast potatoes.

I was slightly concerned about the previous management team at The Berkshire, but there is a new manager in place now and the whole experience has improved, without a doubt. The carers and nurses can be seen doing a great job and carrying out their duties in a very professional and friendly manner. My mother is very settled in The Berkshire and enjoys the friendliness of the staff, which helps her interact much more. The activities team work hard to keep the residents occupied at all times.

The last eight months have been awful for The Berkshire. The staff had no permanent leadership or manager. This last month has seen a transformation in staff morale and proper leadership under the new manager, and long may that last. The staff are happy and focused, and I can now feel The Berkshire has turned a corner for the best. Our family resident feels safe and happy in the circumstances and gets on well with all the staff. That is comforting to the family, as the transition to moving to a home is hard on all the family too.

Staff are always friendly and welcoming whenever I come to visit, nothing is too much trouble, and my nan is always singing their praises. It's always clean and tidy and a pleasant place to be. The events I have attended have been thoroughly enjoyable and well thought out. It's always lovely to see such smiles on the residents' faces. Satisfying to know my nan is being taken such good care of.

My Mum has been a resident at The Berkshire for 2 years now. She has always received excellent care. The carers are so committed to ensuring that all the residents feel this is their home. There's always laughter and affection on tap for the residents. Everyone is treated as an individual with their own individual needs considered at all times. Days out are always packed full of fun and laughter. My Mum took a while to adjust to living in care after living with the family for so many years. However, she now enjoys all The Berkshire has to offer. Including her fussy eating habits being catered for by their wonderful chef. Thank You all at The Berkshire.

My daughter was a young resident at only 38, who was receiving palliative care. She absolutely loved living there. The daily activities she joined in were amazing, and she thoroughly enjoyed them. All residents were lovely.

The staff were amazing, every staff member was cheerful, welcoming and comforting. You always greeted with a smile and warm welcome. Nothing is too much trouble.

The Berkshire Care Home is a special place filled with love, laughter and a lot of fun.

It's hard enough when someone you care for and love has to go into a care home; with The Berkshire Care Home it's an easy decision; we found the perfect home from home.

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.

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.

Overall things are good and have been through this difficult period. Sometimes a little more care in certain areas would make things easier.

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.

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.

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)!.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.