Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme

From enquiring about the experience days for my Dad to him attending the experience days one a week I have found the management and all the staff very friendly, helpful and efficient in all aspects. Nothing is too much trouble and my Dad is enjoying his time at the centre.

My husband attends the activity days and although unsettled at first, he seems to enjoy going now. So much so that l was able to book him in for a week's respite without him making a fuss. The rooms are exceptionally good and the staff very friendly. He enjoys the food there, especially the puddings. One very small niggle is getting through on the telephone, but l assume everything is ok or they would have rung me.

The best home in Britain.

When my time comes, I hope there is a Belong for me.

The activities are great for the older person.

My mother is a resident on Hempstalls Household where she has a lovely, bright, comfortable room. The open plan living area is fantastic: no residents need ever be on their own and there are often activities which everyone is encouraged to take part in. Nutritious, freshly cooked meals are prepared on the household. Everything is well organised, enabling residents to live in a warm, calm environment. My mum is looked after by a professional team of extremely kind and compassionate staff. In such difficult times with lockdowns, it has been such a comfort knowing that Mum is receiving such excellent care.

Last year my Dad moved into Pool Dam household, having lived in an independent living apartment there since 2018. With the difficulties of covid lockdowns and health and care requirements, he was welcomed into the family that is Belong households. He made friends and was lovingly encouraged to take part in anything going on. Sometimes he just wanted the peace and quiet of his own room and that was fine. Someone would pop in with a cup of tea and say hello. All his medical needs were dealt with and I knew he was being well cared for because the access to medical professionals was better than anything I could do. The physio encouraged him to use the cycle machines and he loved it and it was great for his strength and mobility. He passed away in September after a short illness and the care he received was amazing. Staff went out of their way to be with him and provide anything to make him comfortable. They obviously cared deeply for him and I can’t thank them enough.

My father was a resident in the Pool Dam Household of Belong Newcastle from June 2020 until 21st September 2021, the day he passed away. He had the most amazing care during that period, a difficult time during the pandemic. During the last week of his life, he was given the most wonderful care, and his passing was as good as it could possibly have been. Not only did the staff care for him, but they also took care of us, making sure that we had as much support as they could give us. Moving there was the best decision that he ever made.

I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to the Belong staff for every single thing they do each and every day. Both my parents are in Hempstalls: the care they receive is exemplary. Given the pandemic, staff are working under very difficult circumstances. This makes the care Mum and Dad receive even more remarkable. Care is person-centered, every need has been attended to be it physical, emotional, spiritual. Every effort is made to support my parents in every aspect of their daily life. Staff are incredibly caring and compassionate and staff are professional to the highest degree. The ability of the staff to meet needs that change rapidly is also extremely reassuring. Thank you a thousand times.

The care and support Dad receives are second to none. The team at Pool Dam have embraced Dad into their care. He has been quite poorly lately and the team have been fantastic and nursed and encouraged Dad to get him participating again in household life. Dad was so pleased to be back at Belong after being in hospital he is very comfortable and happy there.

They are alert to changes both medical and physical in my mother's health and respond rapidly with appropriate interventions that keep her safe and well, including all professionals in her care. The home keeps us up to date with all changes in my mothers health and wellbeing. They care deeply for her. Thank You.

Having experienced life and experience in two care homes, compromise and balance are key features. At Belong, the philosophy and aims are first class and aim to achieve the best possible balance for residents. As a "not for profit" company, they try to provide the best possible environment for elderly and dementia residents and provide the best facilities and care. The caring staff are outstanding given their difficult and varied charges.

Thanks.

Excellent place, well run, all modern facilities, well trained and professional staff with caring personal attitude.

My review relates to Guildhall Household, during lockdown 2. The staff have dealt with this difficult time exceptionally well, both with the physical needs (PPE etc) and mental well-being of the residents. It is a shame that I cannot mention names as I do think the lead carer and one of the nursing staff, in particular, go "above and beyond" every day. It is always noticeable when they are in the household.

When my Mum passed away recently, her end of life care was exemplary. I am so thankful that she was able to pass away in familiar surroundings, being looked after by compassionate staff who knew her well. We as a family were also very well looked after during my Mum’s final hours. On behalf of all of my Mum's family, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in her care during her time on the Ironmarket.

I am very satisfied with the way in which my husband is looked after. During Covid, I did not see him for six months. Visits have recommenced recently and the circumstances of these are challenging to my husband as he gets restless and cannot understand why I can't go into his household. I have been able to telephone him daily, something facilitated by the excellent staff. I did see him in the household when he had a life-threatening event.

My mother came to Friarswood after a stroke, her recovery has been fantastic due to the care of the staff who spend time encouraging her to help herself. During this difficult time, they are all still working very hard to ensure the residents are being kept in a happy state of mind with various activities.

Throughout his stay in Brampton, he was always well looked after and his needs met. The COVID virus has made the situation difficult for everyone, but all the staff did their utmost to look after him. At the end you would have thought they were part of his close family, providing comfort to us all. I thank you for making my father's last few months as good as they possibly could have been.

My dad has been a resident at Belong since February last year and he has been very well looked after. The carers are indeed very caring and my dad has grown very fond of some of them. This has really helped him settle into his new home. Belong as an organisation has a real charitable ethos, as befits its status, and, when dealing with the staff at any level, the focus on people rather than profit is very evident.