Friends Place is part of Friends of the Elderly, a charity that has been making life better for older people since 1905.
Friends Place is a brand-new purpose-built care home. Every room is light, airy and spacious and offers ensuite bathrooms.
Facilities include:
• Cinema - Enjoy movie nights in a private theatre.
• Salon - Relax with professional pampering.
• Bar - Socialise and unwind in a lively hub.
Set in a peaceful residential area,...
Care Provided by Friends Place
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
- Eating Disorders
- Alcohol / Drug Misuse
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 66 Service Users
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
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
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
- Self-Funded Residential Care: £1,665 - £1,870
- RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1,832 - £2,057
Contact Friends Place 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
- Friends of the Elderly
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Alina Gutu (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2025
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 3
Room Information
- Single Rooms (66)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (66)
Visiting
- No visiting restrictions – you’re welcome at any time.
Parking
- Parking on-site.
Friends Place Reviews (10)
Friends Place has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.466) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Friends Place has 10 reviews.
Friends Place is outstanding in every way. After an impressive visit when it first opened, my husband and I spent two wonderful nights there. We were well looked after in lovely surroundings. He then began to go for day care and short respite periods. When it became impossible for me to meet his needs at home, we didn't have to start looking for somewhere suitable. He went to Friends Place for a month's respite, followed by a review. He is now a permanent resident and the staff are doing their utmost to give him personalised care, including creating a growing area for him outside his patio door. He is very well fed and encouraged to join in all the activities. The atmosphere is vibrant, with lots of laughter. Well-trained staff - such a caring team.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and generous review. We are delighted to hear that the experience-from the initial visit through respite and now as a permanent resident-has been so positive. It is especially pleasing to know that the team's commitment to personalised care, including creating...
My Mum has been living at Friends Place for 4 months and we are delighted with the wonderful care and respect shown to her (and her fellow residents) on a daily basis by the staff. All staff are kind, patient and deeply committed to the wellbeing of each resident through the provision of highly personalised support. I have visited frequently and in all visits I see first hand exceptional care provision.
In addition, the facilities are superb. The rooms are spacious and modern providing plenty of storage and shelves to display photos, books, etc which means the rooms can be personalised for each resident. The open plan dining room/lounge on each floor provides a lovely social/dining area which is superbly used for meals, events, entertainment and activities. Residents are well supported to participate in activities whilst also having the freedom to choose how much/little they engage depending on how they feel each day.
Mum describes Friends Place as a big family. We are delighted.
We are truly delighted to hear how happy you and your mum are with her experience at Friends Place. It means a great deal to our entire team to know that the care, respect and personalised support we strive to provide every day are making such...
Communication has been consistently excellent and the nurses have spotted mum was unwell very quickly indeed and arranged GP visit/medication pick up.
The care home is kep immaculately clean, the food is delicious and the staff all make everyone feel like part of the family.
It's wonderful to know how well my mum is being taken care of, a massive thank you to Friends Place for everything. Highly recommended!!
We're delighted to hear how quickly your mum has settled in and how much she's enjoying being involved in day-to-day activities-keeping that sense of purpose is so important, and we're glad we could support her...
Friends Place is a beautifully designed care home with lovely bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms for each resident. I visit mum often and am appreciative of the warm, friendly welcome. There are some very engaging activities every day, which my mum enjoys. I've seen how brilliant the staff and management are; nothing is too much trouble, and they go above and beyond to ensure each resident receives the care and support needed to live a full and rewarding life.
It truly means a lot to us to hear that you find Friends Place beautifully designed and that your mum feels comfortable and supported here. We work hard to create a homely, welcoming environment, and it's...
Deciding that it's time to find a home for a loved one is incredibly difficult. You want absolute reassurance that they will be safe, comfortable, and truly cared for. Friends Place delivers all of that and more.
It is a modern, beautifully maintained facility with excellent amenities, something that is increasingly hard to find. What truly sets Friends Place apart, however, is the staff. They are exceptional: compassionate, professional, and genuinely invested in achieving the best possible outcomes for the residents.
They have been incredibly accommodating of my mum's individual needs, giving me both peace of mind and the much-needed respite I was struggling to find. Most importantly, they have created an environment where my mum genuinely feels at home.
I am deeply grateful to have found Friends Place and cannot recommend it highly enough.
We're delighted to hear that...
Since my Mum first visited Friends Place for day care visits, the management & staff have been absolutely wonderful! They are empathetic, professional, knowledgeable, accommodating & friendly, truly exceptional! The care home is of the highest standard from décor to the layout and overall construction of the building. The Friends Place "Team" are so welcoming and have already become an integral part of the local community and in such a short time which is testament to their dedication to ensure that residents & service users benefit and enjoy the support and services available. Special mention for Roz & Alina for being so attentive & caring at all times. My Mum enjoys her day care visits immensely and they have provided both me & my wife with much needed "break time" to recharge during her visits. Many thanks to all the Team for your support help & assistance, it's greatly appreciated. Highly recommended!!
Your kind words about our team and our facility mean a great deal to us.
We truly appreciate your support and your recommendation.
Professional staff treated my mum (and I) exceptionally well. All help was provided with the admission and settling in process. Many thanks.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're delighted to hear that our team was able to make the admission and settling-in process smooth for you and your mum. Providing exceptional care and support is always our priority, and your feedback means a lot to us.
My initial impression was that it felt like a 5 star hotel with exceptional staff. My father has been a different person since his day visits, so much so that he has decided to move there permanently. As a family, we feel so lucky to have this care home nearby.
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We're truly delighted to hear that your father has settled in so well and that our team has made such a positive difference for him. It means a great deal to us to know that you and your family feel confident and supported. We're so grateful you chose us, and we'll continue doing everything we can to make your father feel right at home.
Wow where do I begin !! Honestly we cannot fault this beautiful care home. It's like a 5 star hotel, but more importantly the staff are just incredible! My mum and dad went in on respite two weeks ago with the intention of my dad staying permanently, although we'd all decided in the family that it was never going to work due to the severity of his late stage Alzheimer's. How wrong we were !! We have tirelessly tried to get him to eat but to no avail, we struggled to get him to engage or interact with anything, but literally within days they had him doing both! They are simply brilliant at knowing just how to handle him. It is such a relief for us all that he is now in a secure, safe and beautiful environment surrounded by people that genuinely care. My dad deserves the best and that's exactly what he has at Friends Place. Roz and Alina you have been amazing from the word 'go'! A huge thanks to each and every one of you for taking care of him and making us all feel so welcome. X
Thank you so much for your wonderful words. We are truly delighted to hear how well your dad has settled in and that you can already see such positive changes. It means the world to us to know that both your mum and dad felt welcomed and cared for from the very start.Our team works hard to create a...
Wow ! After visiting many care homes, this one stood out the most, from the moment we walked through the doors to be shown around I knew it was the one, with a homely feel, amazing staff and management that go above and beyond, the beautiful setting and tasteful design, it even has a cinema room and bar, my in-laws deserve the best and would not want them anywhere else, would highly recommend without any hesitation , my father in-law has settled instantly which is beyond what we could of ever imagined and my mother in-law has said that she can not find a fault anywhere, this has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make and Friends Place has made it so easy for us.
Thank you so much for sharing such a heartfelt review! We know how big a decision this can be, and it means the world to us that you felt at home from the moment you walked through our doors. We're delighted to hear that your father-in-law has settled in so quickly and that your mother-in-law is so...
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest ReportBed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (14) & Events (1)
- Posted: Thursday 16 Jul 2026Residents at Friends Place, got their dancing shoes on to celebrate this year’s National Bingo Day with a fun, inclusive and boogie-woogie afternoon of Musical Bingo! National Bingo Day is...
- Posted: Wednesday 08 Jul 2026The care team and residents at Friends Place, are preparing for a day of fun and entertainment as they get ready to host an amazing community party to celebrate the...
- Posted: Monday 15 Jun 2026Friends of the Elderly, has been selected to appear in a new publication entitled Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership. An official History of Parliament project. This landmark book,...
- Organiser: Friends PlaceDate: 07 August 2026
Awards / Recognitions (2)
- Recipient: Friends of the ElderlyDate: Thursday 07 Dec 2023
- Recipient: Friends of the ElderlyDate: Thursday 01 Dec 2022
Meet the Team (1)
Hello, I’m the General Manager at Friends Place, charity Friends of the Elderly’s new care home in Reading, Berkshire.
I have worked in the Care Sector for 12 years, eight of those as the Registered Manager at Friends of the Elderly’s Alton-based care home, The Lawn.
Caring for others runs in my family. My Mum is a Nurse and my Dad is a Paramedic, so I was very fortunate to grow up in a very kind, thoughtful and caring environment. I used to love going to work with my Mum and vividly remember feeling so proud and inspired by the difference she was making to other people; it really spurred me on to follow a career in caring.
At Friends Place, we have a very compassionate, caring and supportive culture with a happy and loving atmosphere. Friends Place is more than a care home, it is a home the residents call ‘their home’ and, together, we are all one big happy family
The Care Team and I support and work with the residents to be engaged and inspired in many ways. It could be by taking part in our daily wide and varied meaningful activities, having a chat and reminiscing over a cup of tea, taking a stroll around our landscaped gardens and peaceful patios or enjoying a movie night in our Cinema, reading a book and relaxing in the Library, enjoying a pamper session or even a glass of wine in the Bar.
Each member of Friends Place’s Care Team is devoted to supporting the residents’ independence and keeping them safe, happy, inspired and motivated, ensuring each resident is comfortable, happy and treated with dignity – every day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Friends Place
What types of Care is Friends Place registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Eating Disorders, Alcohol / Drug Misuse are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Friends Place have?
There are 66 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Friends Place?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Friends Place to the centre of Reading?
3.1 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 Friends Place to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Friends Place has an Enhanced Service - more info.