
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.
A very nice clean and very caring place for my mother to stay, staff are very professional and attentive to my mother's needs. I could not wish for a better place to both keep my mother safe and to put my mind at ease. If I had to score it would be 10/10. Thank you Willowdene.
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a great review, I will pass this on to the team as they will appreciate your kind words.
What a lovely place, with a warm welcome, and lovely and friendly staff.
Thank you for your kind review, we will certainly share this with our team as they will appreciate your kind words.
I was admitted by ambulance on the 17th of October for respite care for 6 weeks after breaking my wrist and a sprained ankle. A warm, welcoming greeting from management and staff alike was so reassuring. My nicely decorated room and furniture and ensuite were clean, tidy, and spacious enough to accommodate my various mobility aids. Each staff member, without exception, gave me their full caring attention with a smile and comforting words, from management, administrators, carers, kitchen, household, and cleaners. Activities (varied) to socialise and exercise with other residents were so reassuring. A safe friendly haven.
Dear Carole, thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so pleased you had a great respite stay with us and felt well cared for and safe. It would be great to see you again, feel free to visit us any time.
My wife suffered broek bones as a result of a fall. We were unable to manage at home so general practitioner arranged for her to recover from her injuries in care at Willowdene. She received every possible care and attention from all staff to facilitate the most speedy return to a level of mobility which enabled her to return home.
Thank you for your kind review, we will be sure to share this with our wider team as your words are much appreciated.
From my first interaction with Willowdene via an initial call the staff were friendly, informative and understanding. For my father and me as his daughter, the hard decision for Dad to move into Willowdene was made easier by the staff's understanding of the situation and showing caring and friendly hospitality from the beginning. Nothing was too much trouble and where they could help with requests, staff did so. The emphasis was very much based around Willowdene being a home and residents were made to feel welcome and at home. For my father at this time he found giving up his independence was very difficult and here again the staff went to great lengths to help him retain as much of his independence for as long as possible in his last few weeks. For us as a family, this was a very emotional time and situation, staff helped where they could and showed great support and empathy not only to the residents but to the family as well.
Thank you for your kind review, we are glad to hear that you and your Father felt supported and well cared for, will be sure to share this with our team as it is much appreciated.
Dad was admitted to Willowdene in May and has spent the last few months there. We could not fault the care, attention and professional that everyone who worked there displayed. They went the extra mile to care, not only for Dad but for me and my sister too and no query was too big. What I really appreciated was that whenever I rang for updates, they always had time to answer my endless questions. Thank you.
Thank you for the lovely review, we will share this with our team as I am sure they will appreciate your kind words.
Since Dad was admitted to Willowdene Care Home we have been impressed with his care. The staff are pleasant, friendly and most importantly professional and dedicated to their residents. They also made sure my sister and myself were coping, looked after and supported during the final days of our dad's long life.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind review, we will share this with our team as they will certainly appreciate your feedback.
As a person whose wife is a resident at the home, I see first hand how professional and organised the entire staff are, even though my wife has dementia she really enjoys being involved in the games and activities, none more so than when there is a live singer on which give me peace of mind, knowing she is enjoying herself. I highly recommend Willowdene to anyone who is thinking of using the home for their loved ones. Willowdene gets 10 out of 10 from me.
Thank you so much for leaving a glowing review about our home, we will pass this on to them directly.
Willowdene has cared for my elderly auntie. The activities coordinator works tirelessly for the welfare of the clients.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and share your experience at Willowdene. We are so pleased that you and your loved one had a great experience.
A good place to live. Happy and caring staff.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and share the experience that you have had here.
The staff on all levels have become almost like family, definitely friends!
Thank you so much for leaving a glowing review, we will pass this on directly.
I have been living in this care home for over 2 years. I enjoy living here, there is always something going on, we have fun singing and dancing.
I am very happy with the treatment my sister gets and how clean and nicely decorated it is. The lifestyle coordinator does a good job. The entertainment is excellent and you are made very welcome.
My wife has been in Willowdene Care Home for 2 years and considering the severity of her condition. I believe she receives the best care I could ask for. The staff at all levels do an excellent job, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. Entertainment and activities are on offer on a regular basis and you can see the benefits of this on the faces of those taking part. I can only offer a big thank you to all the staff at Willowdene Care Home.
I would put my loved one at Willowdene Care Home without hesitation.
If you are looking for a residential care home for a loved one then the availability of nursing care, should it be needed in the future, is a huge positive. Our thanks to all the staff at Willowdene and our best wishes for the home in the future.
There is an effort to provide meaningful activities for the residents and to engage people to participate. I see the pleasure it gives my mam who has dementia, she gets a lot of the stimulation and I see her relaxed and gets pleasure which is so important. More activities specifically for dementia would be great.
Mam loves the activities, and the carers, and staff are all lovely. Enjoys her time in Willowdene Care Home which takes the pressure off the family.
My mum came to Willowdene after my father passed away. My mum has struggled at times but is now much more settled. The staff go above and beyond to help her. They are caring and kind. Mum loves all activities and sees Willowdene as her 'home'. Thank you for keeping her safe and well cared for, as she can still have her moments.
Also, he gets stressed waiting for the toilet, he does not understand about other people's needs.
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,
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.
