Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme

My dad is currently a resident in Belong at Friarswood and is receiving excellent care from all of the staff. Due to his illness, his behaviour is challenging at times but he has formed a bond with one of his care workers, and she has gone above and beyond to help him to adjust to being in a care facility. We understand the rules on visiting due to Covid-19 but again the staff at Belong have done everything they can to accommodate our visits. We wanted somewhere that my dad could treat as his home for the last few weeks of his life and Belong are giving him this. He often washes the dishes and is outside in the garden when the weather permits. We have even been able to take my dad's dog in for a visit.

Dad was welcomed into Belong this year and from day one he has been treated with kindness and respect. The care staff are amazing, they really do care about every person living there, it's not just a job to them, they care about us and the family as well. Each service user has their own private space, which can be furnished however they want it to be so that settling in is made as easy as possible. The communal areas are home from home, the space is calm and comfortable, with much laughter. The peace of mind we have as a family knowing that Dad is well looked after, safe and cared for is priceless. I can't say praise to Belong enough, all I can say is it enables me to sleep at night knowing Dad is there.

I could not fault the current care staff and nurses for the care they provide at Belong. Their knowledge and understanding of Dad's physical emotional and social changing needs ensure he is kept comfortable, smiling, and as independent as possible. During the many months of the COVID 19 lockdown period, the carers recognised how difficult it was not being able to visit and they went out of their way to provide support, communication with Dad, reassurance and updates. It’s the little things they all have done which means so much.

When my husband went into Belong I was apprehensive but my fears soon became clear he was been well looked after with the amazing staff, can't fault them with all that’s going on at the moment with Covid-19. They keep in touch via FaceTime and put my mind at ease. Thank you to each and every one of you. They all need recognition during this horrible time (Guildhall) also all the staff are always pleasant, nurses, reception, domestics, kitchen, activities

It has been a difficult time due to the pandemic and restrictions on visiting. However, the staff have gone out of their way to keep us informed of events affecting mum's care. Their efforts to continue to motivate residents is much appreciated.

My father came into one of the households at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He celebrated his birthday not long after his admission, and the staff made it a magical day for him. All the staff seem very friendly and caring, and he tells me he often has a laugh with them. He’s even been encouraged to use the gym and is enjoying completing the exercises. The areas designated for family/friends visits are set up in a safe environment. I am happy that he has got such a good team of people looking after him.

I have found that staff appear to be so very genuine in their role as carers. It has given me great confidence that my sister is in good hands during the Covid-19 close-down.

Thank you.

My father received exceptional care on Hempstalls Household from day one, when he moved there in April 2019. The staff, with their outstanding Lead, were simply wonderful and they made my mum, myself and all of our family, feel as though we were a real part of life on the household. The compassion, love and care shown to Dad was unwavering; we felt so confident in every decision that was made on his behalf; we trusted them completely. Dad joined in with a host of activities, arranged by a great team who understood his limitations and yet still managed to find ways of helping him to achieve some wonderful results, not least in our highlight activity - baking! We genuinely felt as though we were good friends with staff, other residents and their families which was so important, as supporting the staff in Dad's care was a huge part of our life for such a long time. We were concerned for the team when they had to rely on a number of agency staff and we hope that can be resolved for them.

My husband resided at Belong from August 2019 until his death in May 2020. He received amazing attention and care. I cannot praise the staff of Friarswood too highly. He was also involved and enjoyed, the various activities and games. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and after, at the end, he felt the staff part of his family.

A safe, caring environment for my frail elderly mother.

The care provided is outstanding, particularly during the current Covid-19 pandemic. The dedicated staff work tirelessly and compassionately to give excellent care in very difficult unprecedented circumstances. It is a great comfort to myself and my family to know that my husband has such wonderful care and is made to feel so happy and contented.

The warmth and care were outstanding. He had a beautiful room, overlooking the garden and his own ensuite. I also liked the community approach of the home. You can have your lunch in the cafe on site and even join a church service once a month.

Husband into the household (care home) following broken pelvis. Management arranged for me to join my husband for meals and entertainment. We played memory games and sang songs. There was always a jigsaw on the go plus a range of books to read, knitted lap "play" items for Alzheimer residents to "play" with. In house meals with the opportunity for residents to help with preparation of them under supervision. Nice garden to wander about in. Poor parking for residents and family.

Each time I have visited my friend at Belong I have been most impressed with the professionalism of the staff. They are always very polite and welcoming. I can tell my friend is safe and feels comfortable in his surroundings. Whenever we have taken my friend for tea and cakes it has always been delicious.

When Belong first opened the facility, was OK, despite the cost as peace of mind was provided for my parents. I wanted my Dad to be supported as he looked after my Mum who has Alzheimer's. This is his only opportunity to socialise and get support, which is why we wanted them to move here. However, all extra activities must be paid for. Dine at 6 has become a bit of a joke as, despite you providing a healthy well-balanced course, The Bistro does not support this. I come every week and I know it is now very poorly managed.

My mother was a resident in Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme from June 2019 until she sadly passed away earlier this month. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the wonderful experience she received whilst in your care. Every member of staff who came into contact with my mother was attentive and caring and felt more like friends and family to her. They truly are wonderful ambassadors for your company, and they helped to ensure, not only that my mother's last days were comfortable and dignified, but also that the experience for us, her family, was also as painless as possible. As a family, we can never thank them enough for everything they did. This week we also held the wake at Belong (it seemed only fitting to hold it at her home!) Please express our gratitude and thanks to the new catering manager and his team for all the hard work and effort they put into making the day the send-off my mother bothy wanted and deserved. The attention to detail was outstanding, and the food nothing short of superb, despite all the strange requests we made regarding particularly party food, and also accommodating different dietary needs. The catering manager was there from early that morning personally checking every detail and was still there when we finally left at 6pm but despite this nothing felt like it was too much trouble him. Please pass on our thanks to everyone at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme for all the help, support and kindness they showed from the moment we first started visiting homes, up until the final moments this week. I can honestly say that they will all be remembered with great fondness, and this really does include everyone from the manager through to all the staff at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme, the nursing team in the village, the catering manager and his team and even the team on the front desk. Everyone is truly professional whilst still maintaining the personal touch, and I cannot think of any place better for my mother end her days.

My husband has been in respite care since December 2018 as I had a major operation. He has been very well cared for and find all staff very helpful, despite having communication difficulties due to right side stroke in 2015.

We had to make one of the most difficult decisions we as a family have ever had to make following a burst at mums bungalow. My sister contacted Belong and spoke to the receptionist, she was so helpful caring and empathetic, a visit was arranged. This place was far beyond our wildest expectations, there is everything you could ever wish for, it’s not like a care home at all it’s like home from home with many extras. The change in our mum has been significant, she participates in all the activities, too many to mention. The staff are always so helpful. The food provided is well prepared and mum loves it and is eating so much better, she had her hair done in the hair salon and it’s the best cut she’s had in a long long time. To sum this place up in a few words exceptional, outstanding, superior care, trusted care, well done to all involved. We can’t thank you enough thank you so much a very grateful relative.

They take amazing care of her and she's encouraged to take part. It's not one of those places where they sit around sleeping all the time. It's very family friendly. We can go eat with her, make our own cuppa and sit and chat with residents. She is settling in very well.