
Willowdene Care Home provided exceptional care for my grandad, treating him with the utmost respectC U(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

I could not wish for a better place to both keep my mother safe and to put my mind at easeJeff V(Son of Resident/Service User)

What a lovely place, with a warm welcome, and lovely and friendly staff.P M(Resident / Service User)

Willowdene Care Home provided exceptional care for my grandad, treating him with the utmost respectC U(Granddaughter of Resident/Service User)

I could not wish for a better place to both keep my mother safe and to put my mind at easeJeff V(Son of Resident/Service User)

What a lovely place, with a warm welcome, and lovely and friendly staff.P M(Resident / Service User)

Welcome to Willowdene.
Located between Sedgefield and Fishburn in County Durham on Lizard Lane, just off Salter’s Lane, Willowdene Care Home is nestled in charming rural countryside.
The home is a two-storey, purpose-built building which specialises in general nursing, residential and EMI residential care. The Maples houses EMI residential residents and has a secure garden at the front of the home for residents to enjoy. Sycamore houses residential clients who have access...
Care Provided by Willowdene Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 48 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Prices are subject to an individual care needs assessment and the type of room and services chosen. Please contact us for further information.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Willowdene Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Willowdene Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Maria Mallaband Care Group Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Ruth Wilkinson Robson(Care Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: -1
- Last Refurbishment: 2017
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (48)
Visiting
- A car park is located to the front of the home.
Parking
- Visitors welcome at any time.
Willowdene Care Home Reviews (110)
Willowdene Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.905) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Willowdene Care Home has 110 reviews.
Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review of Willowdene. The team work hard to make sure the people that live with us and their loved ones feel welcome and cared for. They will be grateful to hear your kind words.
My mother has been a resident in Willowdene Care Home for the last 2+ years and I can honestly say that I am extremely satisfied and delighted with the high level of care that she receives. All staff work very well together and their hard work and dedication is always evident when I visit. Residents are encouraged to participate in activities 2x a day, which are well organised and suited to individual needs. I would highly recommend this care home to anyone seeking full time care in this facility.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It truly means a great deal to our whole team to know that you feel happy and reassured by the care your mother receives. We are very proud of our staff and the supportive, welcoming environment they create every day. Your recommendation is deeply appreciated, and we're grateful for the trust you've placed in us to care for your mother.
Come to a funeral reception for a very good friend. His wife is still a resident. Very welcoming, clean and staff were super caring for the wife of the deceased. Very impressed.
Thank you for sharing such thoughtful feedback. It's lovely to hear how welcoming the environment felt and how much care and attention was shown at such an important moment. Messages like this mean a great deal to the whole team.
My friend and her husband were both residents in Willowdene Care Home. Sadly my friends husband died recently, and the staff at the care home could not have been more caring. They helped my friend to prepare for the funeral and offered a room, and their catering for his wake. Everything was done to ensure this sad event went as well and smoothly as possible. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing such thoughtful feedback. It's clear how much the team's care and support meant during a very difficult time, and knowing they were able to help things feel a little easier will mean a great deal to everyone involved. Messages like this are deeply appreciated.
I have stayed at Willowdene Care Home for approx 6 weeks. In that time I have been very well cared for. The carers have been very kind and helpful during my stay, in fact everyone that I have come into contact with have been wonderful. The food has been good and teasy - no complaints from me.
Thank you for your kind words. We're delighted you felt well cared for during your stay and that you enjoyed the food and support from our team.
Very helpful staff. Good guality food.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We will pass this on to the team.
Absolutely fantastic! Can not fault the place or staff, they are so friendly, caring and go over and beyond. The activities are stimulating and brilliant, enjoyed by everyone. It is a comfort to know my grandma is cared for so well by such wonderful staff. She is extremely happy here and loves it. Thank you to all and very merry Christmas.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We're delighted to hear how happy your grandma is and that our team and activities make such a positive difference. Your kind words mean a lot to everyone here.
My sister and I transferred my mum from a care home in Durham to Willowdene in 2023. We have been so happy with the care that mum has received since then. We feel secure that she is having the best care possible for her. We appreciate the communication from the home whenever there has been any incidents, or if she hasn't been feeling well. She is always clean and nicely presented when we visit. No one wants to put loved ones into care but we know that she better off there.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We're really pleased to hear your mum has settled well at Willowdene and that you feel confident in the care she receives. Your trust means a lot to the whole team.
My mam has been in now for a few years, and all I can say is this place is wonderful its so reassuring that she's looked after perfectly.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We really appreciate your kind words and will make sure your feedback is passed on to the team.
Staff and management always ensure that all residents and family are welcomed and important. Christmas coffee morning was enjoyable with fab cakes. Other events are always a pleasure to attend too.
Thank you for leaving such a kind review, it is a pleasure to hear that you enjoy our events, we look forward to more in 2026.
One big happy family, my mam is so happy here x
Thank you for leaving such a kind review, it is great to hear that your loved one is settled and happy.
I have come for the xmas fayre, everyone was very welcoming and friendly, its a lovely place.
Thank you for leaving such a lovely review, we are grateful for the support from friends and family who attended our Christmas Fayre, and we are happy to hear you had a great time!
My mother has been in respite 3 times in Willowdene and has now decided to live here permanently. she has gone from a little frail old lady to a much happier person and now feels very safe and cared for in here.
My mother was on the dementia unit at the home for 8 weeks. There was never any staff shortages and always plenty of staff to help feed anyone that needed support. I have moved my mother to Willowdene from another home and it was the best thing I have every done. This home is excellent in my opinion.
Thank you for your lovely review, we will share this with our team as all will appreciate your kind comments.
My mother-in-law moved to the care home in July 2025. She has received exemplary care from all the staff. Both she and her family have been well looked after. The kindness and empathy shown by the staff will stay with us forever. My mother-in-law died recently; her end-of-life care was second to none. We couldn't wish for a better death, dying peacefully. As a family we will treasure the memories made prior to her death. Words cannot thank you enough for all the care, love, dignity shown to her end and her family. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, it was a pleasure caring for your mother-in-law and her family at Willowdene. We will pass your lovely comments on to our team as they are much appreciated.
My mother was in the home for only 2 weeks for palliative care before she passed away. All the staff we met and dealt with were so supportive and caring, not only to my mother but also to my wife and son and I. One member of staff in particular was very supportive, for which we were very grateful. Super care home, and where my mother wanted to be.
My mother-in-law had requested staying in Willowdene as she had heard good reviews. She was not disappointed. She was well looked after until her death. My husband and I found all the staff welcoming and informative. Willowdene offers very comfortable surroundings for residents and visitors alike. Thank you for the care you gave her in her last days.
Thank you so much for leaving a kind review. It was a pleasure to look after your mother-in-law, and we are glad to hear you were pleased with our level of care. I will pass your lovely words on to the rest of our team as it is much appreciated.
Very caring staff. If any issues are raised, then they are dealt with immediately. They are really good with residents who are very disabled. You just have to ask, and it's done as and when they can. No problem getting parked. Thank you Willowdene
Thank you for your kind words. As always, we are here to answer any questions and will resolve any confusion immediately, my door is always open if you need anything.
However, I feel she was discharged too early (encouraged by the hospital social worker to have 2 weeks of carers left of her care package) - but was readmitted to hospital 2 weeks later! (Needed a tavi within a tavi.)
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. It's great that your mum settled in well and her needs were met. While the delay in treatment was concerning, it's reassuring that staff acted quickly. We appreciate your comments on the discharge process and areas for improvement.
Willowdene Care Home provided exceptional care for my grandad, treating him with the utmost respect, dignity and compassion. The staff were kind, attentive and always went above and beyond to ensure his comfort. Knowing he was in such great hands gave us great peace of mind. He came home in such high spirits and back to the fun, caring, witty grandad he was before he was poorly. I highly recommend this home to everyone.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your positive comments regarding Willowdene Care Home and our team. We are glad your experience reflects the high standards of quality care we hold ourselves to here at Maria Mallaband Care Group.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 06 February 2020Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Willowdene Care Home.
There are no upcoming events for Willowdene Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (7)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Willowdene Care Home
- 28 Feb 2023Recipient: Willowdene Care Home
- 30 Jun 2022Recipient: Willowdene Care Home
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Willowdene Care Home.
Meet the Team (1)

Hi, my name is Ruth and I am the Care Home Manager at Willowdene Care Home. I am pleased to manage this beautiful home. I qualified as a nurse in 1995 (RNLD) and worked for 17 years in the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities sector. I have 20 years of experience in management, 12 of those in Older Peoples Services. I take an open and transparent approach towards the care home,
Frequently Asked Questions about Willowdene Care Home
What types of Care is Willowdene Care Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Willowdene Care Home have?
There are 48 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Willowdene Care Home?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Willowdene Care Home to the centre of Stockton-on-Tees?
9.2 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Willowdene Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Willowdene Care Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.
