
There is a good and varied programme of weekly activities, with organised outingsD H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Mum is always well dressed and it is clear the staff do take pride in looking after their residentsAndrew M(Son of Resident/Service User)

The home is in a beautiful setting, between river and sea, with stunning gardens expertly maintainedTom J(Son of Resident/Service User)

There is a good and varied programme of weekly activities, with organised outingsD H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Mum is always well dressed and it is clear the staff do take pride in looking after their residentsAndrew M(Son of Resident/Service User)

The home is in a beautiful setting, between river and sea, with stunning gardens expertly maintainedTom J(Son of Resident/Service User)

Wickmeads is a charming, purpose-built residential and dementia care home, located close to the picturesque River Stour in Tuckton, Southbourne.
The home offers a pleasant and peaceful setting, a warm welcome and a home-from-home atmosphere. Residents can feel at home and enjoy their surroundings with relatives and friends, whilst safe in the knowledge that they are being cared for.
Wickmeads has well-appointed bedrooms, all with their own ensuite facilities. There are plenty...
Care Provided by Wickmeads
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 50 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
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Wickmeads for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Wickmeads 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)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Care South
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Tracey Walker (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 50+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (50)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (50)
Wickmeads Reviews (79)
Wickmeads has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.776) out of 10, based on 22 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Wickmeads has 79 reviews.
My father was in Wickmeads for 4 and a half years. They were very caring and I was always glad to know they looked after him so well. He always seemed very happy and they did an amazing job during the Covid epidemic.
This is the 2nd home my wife has lived in and Wickmeads is the best of the two. Management are efficient, reception staff are charming and all the carers I have dealt with have been very caring. Their expertise during lockdown has been exceptional. All in all an excellent home. Lovely atmosphere throughout.
My mother moved to Wickmeads in June after suffering multiple falls and breaking her wrist. The manager could not have been more helpful, putting my mind at rest about the care they could offer Mum. During her time there, Mum was made very welcome and soon settled down and made friends. The care staff were kind and looked after her well, she especially liked the activities which she was encouraged to join in with. Covid has made this time difficult for all of us but the home was able to organise garden visits which we enjoyed most days. My thanks to all the staff for making Mum's time with you so happy.
Too many staff to mention but well done all.. and great premises too.. not every home has this high quality of personal amenities and furnishings.
I was delighted with the care he received and the welcome extended to family and friends during visits.
From the administration staff to the carers, cleaners and to the organisers of the daily activities, everyone worked to create a warm and happy home.
During the Covid19 outbreak, the staff went the extra mile to reassure residents and arrange window visits for me.
Thank you to everyone for all the love and care, providing an environment in which my husband felt so calm, secure and happy.
I cannot thank all the team at Wickmeads enough. Mum joined their community a few weeks ago. From the outset, mum and all the family were made to feel so welcome. The manager and her team have made a difficult time so much easier - nothing is too much trouble. Even in these difficult times, I have regular updates and know that even though I cannot visit, mum is being so well cared for. Thank you all so much.
A dear friend was admitted to the home earlier this year. The staff have been absolutely wonderful. Their kindness and understanding of my friend's needs is exceptional. They are always so willing to help with any concerns and it is so lovely always to see a smiling face to greet you as you arrive. Sadly my friend can be extremely difficult but their patience helping her to calm down and smile again is so reassuring. The home is so clean and comfortable and everything possible is done to help their residents. I know that if the time comes for me to require this type of care, I would happily go to Wickmeads.
I would recommend this home to anyone interested.
Overall care was perfect kindness from all staff and compassion to me. One cannot ask for any more. Thank you.
Everybody at the home is fantastic and caring. Thank you.
We found Wickmeads in a bit of a panic when my mums carer had to go into hospital. The manager was so kind and helpful and immediately assessed, accommodated and settled mum. The home is fresh, modern and spotless whilst also being warm, caring and a really safe place to leave mum. The staff have been really attentive to mums personal needs and eager to ensure residents happiness and welfare. On further research around the area and in the couple of weeks mum has been with them, I would consider Wickmeads among the best.
We can't thank Care South and the Wickmeads team enough for their help.
Both Mum and Dad seem happy and content at Wickmeads. It is exactly 2 years since my parents went into residential care, as both had dementia and were no longer able to stay in their own home. During that time I have visited regularly, and have been impressed with the kindness shown by the wonderful care staff. The residents are treated with dignity at all times, and visitors are made to feel welcome. The home and gardens are maintained to a very high standard for everyone to enjoy, and the housekeeping team do a first-rate job. I feel confident that my parents are well looked after and that any issues that I have had concerning their care have been addressed promptly.
My relative’s room has an en-suite and we have personalised the living space with their own belongings to make it feel more like home. There are daily activities that residents (and visitors) can enjoy and there are also trips out to places in the minibus. There is a lovely garden which residents are encouraged to use.
Firstly and most importantly they showed dad dignity, respect, love and humour in his final day's so many people came in to wish dad well, talk kind words and say goodbye. As a family, we were exceptionally well treated as well. We were given meals and drinks a room to rest in at night and your staff showed unending supply of kind words, love and support through the most difficult and emotional time.
Thank you for helping us to help dad and our mum in his last few days.
This is the second care home my grandmother has been in and is by far the best such a friendly team of staff and can see they genuinely care about the residents there. Lots of activities throughout the week which is lovely to see, can see residents are doing different things during the week and keeping their brains active. Really nice touch that every afternoon the residents get a hot drink and freshly made cake gives the home a nice social touch.
Mum had looked round Wickmeads when it re-opened as a place she could go if she needed respite care. We had managed her dementia in her flat until July 2017 when she became afraid living alone. She settled quickly at Wickmeads and so enjoyed the outings, the activities and the sense of space in the gardens. She remained quite well until late summer 2018 when she started falling. She had a serious fall in November and after 2 weeks in hospital came back for end of life care. The kindness and compassion were exemplary and she died peacefully and with dignity. Thank you to all the wonderful staff.
The additional seating areas for the residents at the end of each corridor and the "quiet room" are particularly beneficial for residents who wish to be private yet safe with built-in push button alarms. The residents'' lounge is welcoming, again with the layout very well thought out. The food is very good and freshly prepared on site.
The staff are intelligent, professional and very caring and nothing is too much trouble. If only more care homes were like this.
The thoughtfully designed new building and scenic location made for a very good first impression. Everywhere is bright and spacious, and, as well as comfortable individual rooms and a large lounge, there are various other areas in which to relax and enjoy a change of scenery; individual rooms and enjoy a change of scenery, including a pleasant garden.
However attractive a building is, it is not a home, but Wickmead does feel like a welcoming home because of the care and respect shown by the friendly staff. Activities and outings are on offer but with no pressure on anyone to participate, and residents are even given the opportunity of discussing and choosing the varied menu. The whole ambience of the home is relaxed, happy and convivial.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 13 February 2025Good
- 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 (22) & Events (0)
- 23 Jul 2026
Bournemouth care home residents were delighted and enthralled by a live, immersive outdoor theatre production performed in the garden. Wickmeads, based in Tuckton, hosted a colourful performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo...
- 02 Jun 2026
Dorset care home residents delighted in a memorable musical afternoon created especially for them by the BSO, Care South and JPMorganChase. Hosted at JPMorganChase’s Bournemouth campus, the midweek event included...
- 28 May 2026
A Bournemouth care home marked its milestone 10th anniversary with an afternoon of singing, dancing and celebration alongside residents, families and members of the local community. Wickmeads care home, based...
There are no upcoming events for Wickmeads.
Awards / Recognitions (7)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Care South
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Wickmeads.
Meet the Team (1)

I’ve worked in the care sector for 30 years in total and not a day goes by that I do not love my job and the people I look after. Seeing a smile and achieving the best outcome for them is what makes my job so rewarding. I’m also very proud of the staff at Wickmeads, who are dedicated, caring and always go the extra mile.
The views and opinions of residents are very important to me, and I like to involve them in decisions governing what is essentially their home.
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