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
  • 93
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Reviewer Connection to Bluebell House
  • 30
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Total of 93, showing 61-80
Review from Linda B (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 January 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since arriving at The Berkshire Care Home, my mother has been treated with care and dignity and every member of staff has been fantastic. Thank you so much.
Reply from Alison Geddes, Marketing Administrator at Bluebell House

Thank you for your lovely comments about our home, it is great to hear that you think our team are 'fantastic' and that you would recommend The Berkshire to others. Your positive feedback will be passed on to the Home Manager and team, who will be delighted to hear your comments. Thank you again.

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Review from D B (Sister of Resident) published on 4 December 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
I always find the staff very pleasant when I visit. I think my sister thinks they are short staffed at times - particularly in the mornings when she needs to be helped up and showered. Sometimes when we visit at say 11.30 - she is still in bed and has not been showered or washed! I think this needs
attention!
Reply from Caroline Walker, Home Manager at Bluebell House

Thank you for your feedback on our home, we are delighted to hear that you find our team very pleasant. At The Berkshire, I can confirm that we have a healthy ratio of carers; we always ensure that we operate at safe staffing levels which are regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect any changes in the needs of the residents in the home.

Some residents prefer to get up later and eat breakfast in their rooms before being aided with showering and dressing. If residents want to have a ‘lie-in’, we support this and do not disturb them until they are ready for breakfast. If you’d like to discuss anything further do not hesitate to come and see me on your next visit to our home.

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Review from Mandy J (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 December 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care and support my Mum gets is second to none. The staff are really lovely and caring and nothing is too much trouble. For the first time in a long time, I don't worry about my Mum.
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Review from Andrew J (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother-in-law is well looked after and the staff are great. We are very happy with The Berkshire.
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Review from Julia W (Friend of Resident) published on 7 November 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
On visiting my friend I found the staff to be very professional and helpful.
The activity staff are very good and strived to give food activities during the week. The afternoon tea was exceptional and all the residents seemed to enjoy their afternoon.
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Review from Steve B (Nephew of Resident) published on 24 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My uncle is very well looked after. Staff are friendly. Lovely garden. Many activities. A little community - caring.
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Review from Lindsay M (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 31 August 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother-in-law moved into The Berkshire in April 2018 following a prolonged hospital stay. We visited several homes during her hospital stay and chose this home because we liked the welcoming atmosphere. We have not been disappointed, all the staff, from the manager to the laundry staff have been
brilliant. My mother-in-law has received excellent personal care and her health and well being has improved. Whilst accepting that many residents would prefer to have remained in their own home the staff try their utmost to make life here as rewarding and enjoyable as possible providing a variety of daily activities (limited by the physical and/or mental capacity of the residents). I have not eaten at the home (although I could join my relative if I wished) I believe it is generally very good. The home is well decorated and her room is lovely overlooking a beautiful garden. Finally, without doubt, it is the staff that make this home what it is, fun, relaxing and welcoming.
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Review from Doreen B (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 August 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother, who has Alzheimer's, has just spent 2 weeks in the magnificent nursing home where she was very well looked after. She told me everyone was very kind to her and she thoroughly enjoyed her stay there.
A huge thank you to all of the staff there who are obviously dedicated in their work. A
very friendly and well run establishment. I have no hesitation in recommending and would certainly take my mum there again.
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Review from J S (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 19 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff have been very caring and kind to both mum and us. They are very professional and have a very good understanding of her needs.
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Review from Jackie T (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum was transferred here just a couple of weeks ago and in this short time, I have been able to see her whenever I want. All records are open and I am able to see what her day has been like - what she has eaten and drunk etc. Everyone has been so caring towards Mum and friendly towards me - always
ready for a quick chat to let me know how she has been. Mum is bed bound so she doesn't take part in any activities which is a shame as the home is always busy with different activities for the residents including one to one. Mum's room is lovely - very clean and bright with a fabulous view of the garden. I haven't seen much of the food served so can't really comment but the staff will always offer an alternative if Mum doesn't like the main course or was asleep when main meals were served. I am so pleased that Mum is in the Berkshire Care Home.
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Review from Glynis H (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This has been a good experience. The whole stay has been a relief for the family as we know that dad has been well cared for.
Everyone has been like family to him. He has some good friends. The food is excellent.
You will all be very much missed.,
Thank you all.
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Review from F M (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 30 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
They take good care of me. The carers and nurses are very kind to me. Nice food.
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Review from Alice A (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Berkshire Care Home is generally clean and tidy and staff are warm and welcoming. There is a good understanding of the effects of Alzheimers among staff I have talked with.
My mother is well cared for and is generally happy with the care she is given; there are regular activities, including music
and singing and visits by P.A.T dogs, which she enjoys.
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Review from Sheila W (Wife of Resident) published on 18 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My husband has been a resident at this care home for three years. He has always been treated with care and understanding. I have always felt I can go to the staff with any worries I might have. The home is very welcoming and I feel my husband is in safe hands.
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Review from Janice B (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 March 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
Mum finds the food challenging but the care and people wonderful.
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Review from Linda W T (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 20 March 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very friendly staff and the home has a real family feel. The welcome on arrival at the Berkshire was lovely and my relative has settled well.
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Review from J E (Friend of Resident) published on 27 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Staff are very friendly and welcoming, my friend's needs are well cared for by staff. The home provides entertainment for the residents on a regular basis which the residents enjoy listening to and participating with. The home is very well maintained and has gone under recent re-decoration and maintenance
works.
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Review from Kathryn W (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 27 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I visited my mother in law 2 weeks ago and would like to comment on how impressed I was by the kindness of the staff particularly a young man who was organising activities in the conservatory. He was very polite and treated everyone with great respect and listened to stories with the interest of someone
who had not heard it all before. I was very impressed with his patience and the way he included everyone in the activity of the afternoon.
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Review from Sheila S (Respite Resident) published on 27 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
While I was a resident at The Berkshire Care Home I was met with kindness and competence from all the staff. The following comments are of less importance than this but are made so that another temporary resident will have less trouble when moving in.
When I moved in I had no bedside light. There
was a lamp but with no bulb and one could not be found so another light was brought in time. The batteries had expired in the TV zapper my daughter bought some more. The TV reception was patchy it was necessary to tighten the knob at the back and restore the screen. I had no wastepaper basket for some days. As I say these were trivial problems and my stay was very enjoyable.
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Review from Nickola W (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 20 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Always friendly and welcoming staff and atmosphere. Staff know my grandmother very well and her like and dislikes. Staff look after my grandmother really well and she is always lovely and clean and smells nice. Caring and patient and always very courteous. My grandmother is well cared for.
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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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