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Owned and managed by the established south west charity, the St Monica Trust, each element of the development has been carefully designed with the needs of older people in mind.
The Russets, which featured in the Guardian newspaper and scooped 'the most innovative new dementia project in the...
Care Provided by The Russets
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 105 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
- Palliative / End of Life Care
Facilities
- Minibus or other transport
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Accommodation only
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
We do accept third-party top-up fees in certain circumstances. Each of our homes has an agreed number of placements available at the local authority rate. Where these placements are fully occupied, a third-party top-up may be requested to secure a placement until a local authority-funded bed becomes available. Our team will always discuss this fully and transparently with prospective residents and their families.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact The Russets for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact The Russets 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
- St Monica Trust
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Jo Bray (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (105)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (105)
Visiting
- Visiting is available in line with government guidelines. Details can be found on the website.
Parking
- Plenty of free parking is usually available.
The Russets Reviews (33)
The Russets has a Review Score of 9.0 (8.975) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Russets has 33 reviews.
Although my dad was only in the home for 48 hours, we were so impressed by the care and compassion shown by everyone, especially the staff in the Discovery Unit. They were incredibly kind, caring and supportive during a very difficult time for our family.
Out of all the care homes we viewed, this one stood out by far as the best. The home is clean, warm and truly homely, with such a lovely atmosphere throughout. We especially loved hearing the music playing, which made it feel cheerful and comforting.
Thank you to all the staff for treating my dad with such dignity and kindness. We will always be grateful.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. It means a great deal to know that our team on the Discovery unit were able to offer you and your family some comfort and reassurance during what must have been an incredibly difficult time. We're so pleased that your dad was...
We as a family considered that he was in the best possible place so we have a very high regard for the quality and commitment of the staff of Encore. The openness and freedom to visit as and when we wished , ensured
our confidence in the quality of care and support he and we were given by Encore.
Thank you for sharing such thoughtful feedback. We understand how difficult the decision to move a loved one into care can be, and we're truly glad to hear that our team, especially Encore, helped bring you reassurance and peace of mind. It's wonderful to know that the environment, freedom, and...
Our experience of The Russets at Sandford Station and Bramley in particular has been exceptional. My father got the best of care by people who took the time to get to know and spend time with him, even during those times when he was something of a challenge. From my point of view I have always felt included in his care and have been well informed. It has made a tremendous difference to me, living so far away, to know he was being so well looked after. I cannot express my appreciation of what the staff have done to help me with all the things that are over and above their role at Bramley.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this glowing review, we really appreciate it. We are so pleased you are happy with the care your father received from our dedicated team. It's lovely to hear our colleagues were so reassuring to you by keeping you involved and well informed throughout. We...
My father in law moved to Crispin House this year when it was clear he couldn't live by himself anymore. I had limited experience of care homes so didn't know what to expect. When I first visited him, the unit was bright and busy, there was music playing and it was very clean and tidy. We spent time in the quieter lounge and he told us how nice it was and how good the staff were.
In the subsequent months, I've come to realise what a special place the Russets is. It always feels clean and homely. The staff are cheerful and attentive to the needs of those living there. The House Lead always comes over to say hello if she's there when we visit and she's always in touch with any updates.
My father in law is aware of his failing memory now and, during a recent visit, he said "I don't really have a clue what's going on anymore, but I do know that I feel very safe here". We can't ask for more than that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this lovely review. It's been a pleasure to have your father-in-law join us at The Russets. Hearing that he feels safe here is incredibly touching, and exactly what we hope to provide for every resident. Your kind words about our team mean a great deal...
My dad was really happy here and well cared for the short time he stayed here. The staff were really attentive and informative with us on a daily basis. Thanks to all the staff. It was such a shame my dad could not remain here for his time. All down to distance from where we live.
Thank you so much for sharing your kind words. We're delighted to hear that your dad felt happy and well cared for during his time with us, and that our team kept you informed throughout. It means a lot to know we made a positive difference, even if his stay was brief. I'll make sure your thanks...
My mother had unfortunate experiences at her 2 previous homes so we were really pleased to discover a place where there were a variety of activities and access the garden anytime she wanted. Crispin is spacious so there is usually somewhere quiet to sit and the other huge plus is there are sufficient caring and committed staff to meet residents needs. Everyone on the team was always so caring and treated my mother as if she was their family member.
Thank you for taking the time leave us such a kind review in this difficult time - I will pass your lovely words onto the team. It means the world to our team to know that your mother felt comfortable and well-cared for at The Russets. We take great pride in offering a variety of activities and...
I was taken to hospital for kidney and urine infection also chest infection. I was then transferred to The Russets I was very well looked after for 9 weeks, I am now home and still receiving care and support. Thank you.
We are so glad to hear that you felt well looked after during your respite stay with us and really appreciate you taking the time to leave us this kind review, which I will pass on to the team. We are wishing you all the best for your recovery at home.
It's been a very tough couple of years leading up to the placement of my husband into the care of The Russets and Sherwood. It's never an easy decision placing a family member into the care of others. So I want to thank all the staff at The Russets and Sherwood, not just the managers, carers and nurses but the whole team that includes, the admin staff, the caterers, the cleaners and gardeners for making the home such a nice place to stay and visit. The emotional and physical pain that I was feeling has been eased with the knowledge that my husband is getting a very high standard of care. Having had to cope with my husband's deteriorating condition for many years it is comforting to know that the staff at The Russets and Sherwood will do their very best to make the experience (no matter who you interact with) a very pleasant one. I commend all of you at the Russets and Sherwood - thank you.
I am so pleased to hear that your husband's move into The Russets (Sherwood Nursing Unit) has been such a positive experience; it is a privilege to support you both. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this lovely review, I will pass your kind words onto the team. We always strive to...
She had a lovely room with a door opening out onto a sitting area and the garden.
While stronger she enjoyed trips out around the gardens, taking part in some activities, church and events she felt up to, plus enjoying her meals and lovely cakes!
All the care and support she received from everyone looking after her needs was fantastic, with the care home very quickly becoming her home. She described all her regular care and support staff as becoming friends and extended family - what more can you say.
As she approached the end of her life she was supported very sensitively by house leads, carers/nurses to housekeeping staff and pastoral support.
You all looked after not only Mum, but us as a family.
We thank you all.
Thank you so much for such a lovely review, we really appreciate it. It was an honour to care for your mum, and our thoughts are with you and your family. We are really pleased to hear you felt that both your mum and you as a family were supported by our team. We understand the importance of...
My father was transferred after a sudden deterioration in his vascular dementia. At all times he was shown respect, kindness and support when he was so confused and disoriented.
This kindness and support were extended to me and I really appreciated their expertise and guidance.
I cannot praise the staff and facilities enough. You have created something so special.
Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this lovely review, we really appreciate it! I am so pleased to hear you are happy with the care your father is receiving and that you also feel supported by our wonderful staff. We are proud of our whole team who help make The Russets such a special place, and I will make sure to pass your kind words on to the team.
The food seems good but my wife has specially prepared, minced, food and it is difficult to tell.
The cleanliness is notable.
Thank you for leaving us a review! We are delighted to hear that you find our level of care excellent, and it is wonderful to read that you find our carers patient and kind. If you would ever like to speak to a member of staff regarding your wife's food please do not hesitate to do so, we would always be happy to help. I will make sure to pass your comments on to the team.
Mum moved into The Russets last November and we are so grateful for the kindness, care and support she has received since the very first day. Ashmead's House lead and her team are an amazing group of people who work together to provide her with patient, personalised care, and ensure that her well-being and daily healthcare needs are met in every way. The environment within the unit is very safe and calm and Mum has been thriving. She has a spacious en-suite room and we're always made to feel very welcome whenever we visit. We're looking forward to her being able to enjoy the lovely gardens. Russets have a fantastic clubhouse and dedicated activities team, whose sheer love of what they do is evident when you see them in action and interacting with the residents. They play a huge part in making it a happy place to be. We feel so fortunate to have found the Russets for Mum and to have complete peace of mind that she's happy, safe and being cared for with kindness, dignity and respect.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Our amazing staff work hard to ensure our residents receive the best, personalised care and are passionate about ensuring The Russets is always a happy and supportive environment. We know how important it is for family members to be confident in the care...
A very friendly, caring atmosphere.
We are so glad your husband felt welcomed here at The Russets. We deeply value the hard work of our team, from carers to kitchen staff, who work together to create such a friendly and caring atmosphere and I will pass your kind words on to the team.
My husband has recently arrived at The Russets and is beginning to settle in. It has been a big change for both of us and I couldn't be happier and more confident that he is receiving the care that he now needs. The home has a warm atmosphere and is bright, airy and spotlessly clean. The rooms are spacious yet cosy. There is plenty of room to walk around, both inside and outside in the garden for fresh air. The standard of care is absolutely excellent - respectful, relaxed and efficient. There is a house lead system which creates a real sense of teamwork amongst the staff, who are - without exception - cheerful, kind, caring and supportive and go out of their way to ensure that my husband is living as happy and content a life as he can. The lines of communication are very good indeed and nothing seems too much trouble. For anyone who is facing the challenges of living with dementia I would highly recommend The Russets which has exceeded all my hopes and expectations.
We are so pleased that you are confident in the care your husband is receiving here at The Russets and delighted to hear that we have exceeded your expectations. We are proud of our fantastic staff who work together to deliver an excellent standard of care and go above and beyond for our residents,...
What can I say other than if you are considering a care home for one of your loved ones then look no further; I did not believe that we would find a home that felt so 'homely'. My brother-in-law's so happy here, before moving in he was a shadow of his former self, but over the last few weeks he is so much brighter, he is smiling again and that is down to the wonderful team who support him (and us!). In our experience (so far) if we have any questions about anything, there is always somebody to help whether it be one of the admin team, housekeeping the HCA's or the managers, there is always someone we can go to! The home is bright and airy, the lounges are the hub of the unit, and there's plenty going on, it was touching to see the staff helping residents prepare decorations for Valentine's Day, they were all so happy chatting away and laughing together. The nurses are so kind, and between them and our House Lead, I absolutely know our very precious brother-in-law is in safe hands.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a positive review! We are so happy you have found all our staff kind, helpful, and supportive. It is wonderful to know that your brother-in-law is happy here and that we can give you the peace of mind that he is well looked after with us. I will pass your kind words on to the team.
It is a lovely care home. Staff are brilliant and caring. Always attentive to every need of the resident. The facilities are excellent. There are many activities to choose from for the residents. The rooms are light and airy, and there is plenty of outdoor space to walk around. The gardens are beautiful.
We are delighted to hear you are pleased with our attentive staff, excellent facilities, and varied activities! I will make sure to pass your lovely feedback on to the team.
Many activities are provided, and the standard of care is excellent. The garden is a great delight in the warmer months, and the clubhouse is a great hub for activities of all kinds. Without exception, every member of staff I have met, whatever their role, has been pleasant, efficient and caring. Lines of communication are excellent, and I am entirely confident that my mother is well looked after in every respect.
When she came away with us for an overnight stay, she couldn't wait to get back to the place where she said she was with everyone who loved her. I don't think you can get a better testimonial than that!
We are delighted to hear you are happy with your mother's care and find all our staff caring and efficient. It is lovely to hear that she feels happy here at The Russets, and we are so pleased she has made new friends and enjoys being a part of our community. Thank you for your kind words, I will make sure they are passed on to the team.
The team at Crispin has exceeded all our expectations. Necessary information about my mother-in-law is timely, professional and always helpful. Any questions we have are answered helpfully and we are always made to feel extremely welcome when we visit.
I could not recommend The Russetts highly enough. They have given my mother-in-law a new lease of life in a safe and caring environment.
Thank you for this lovely feedback and glowing recommendation! It is wonderful to hear that your mother-in-law feels at home with us and that you have seen her well-being improve since joining us. We are happy to hear she enjoys the many activities we put on and has made a good friend here, and that you find our staff professional and helpful. I will pass your kind words on to the team.
Opening the door into this world was a revelation to me! I have never before come across the deep compassion and caring exhibited by the staff, all so comparatively young, for those in their care, many of whom are unresponsive, and to watch a nurse holding the hand of such a one and gently feeding her, made me cry! I do not possess such qualities and when my own time comes, I have already arranged to come straight to The Russets, when I can feel safe and treated with dignity and respect, until my life is over! My own Sister is now in their care, and so they have not only provided her with care, but me too since I know that she is happy and secure in her new world and home! I visit whenever possible, not because I must, but because it is a joy to visit such a happy place! Every word of this comes from my heart!
Thank you so much for your kind words, it is really appreciated. It is heartwarming to hear that you find our staff caring and compassionate, treating all our residents with dignity and respect. We are delighted that you are happy with your sister’s care and that this has comforted you too. We are...
Mum has been at The Russets 4 months now and we couldn't be happier for her. The care and award-winning bungalow residences - along with the clubhouse - really are second to none. After visiting in August, this was the only home we would consider for Mum because the warm, friendly and caring atmosphere envelopes you as soon as you walk in. The staff are professional, and dedicated and make each day full of fun and engagement for the residents in the range of communal areas. The food is restaurant standard whilst the rooms are clean, comfortable and cosy. Nothing is too much trouble if it means enhancing the residents' experience and we really couldn't believe the range of trips, concerts and entertainment provided! Mum's social life is way better than mine! If the time comes for your relative to need more care and company, you can be reassured that The Russets is so much more than a regular nursing home.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review, we really appreciate it. It is great to hear you are happy with our facilities and staff, and that your mum is enjoying all the social activities our wonderful staff help put on for our residents. I will make sure your kind words are passed on to the team.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 15 January 2021Good
- 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 The Russets.
There are no upcoming events for The Russets.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 03 Sep 2020Recipient: St Monica Trust
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for The Russets.
Meet the Team (2)

I’m Jo Bray, and I have the greatest pleasure of being the Care Home Manager, I work with fantastic colleagues who are committed to supporting our residents in any way that they can.
I joined the St Monica Trust family in September 2015 as a Registered Nurse (RN), I later progressed to Lead RN, Deputy Care Home Manager and since October 2019 as Registered Care Home Manager. This progression through the roles informs every part of my job as I have a good understanding of the daily challenges my colleagues face; whether they are carer, housekeeping or hospitality colleagues.
Prior to becoming an RN, I worked in many sectors with very different roles, I was a soldier with the Royal Signals, a Force Operations Room Supervisor for Wiltshire police, and a care support worker to name a few; I just like to feel that I am helping to make positive changes for others. It was when I experienced some ill-health that I knew nursing was my true vocation.
If asked, I would say that my greatest personal achievement would be that I graduated from University with a BSc (Hons) degree whilst being a single parent of 3 lovely children. Currently, on a professional level, I would say that my greatest achievement is the positive relationships I enjoy with my colleagues at The Russets; together we achieved our Good Rating with CQC in December 2020.
The nurturing, caring environment of The Russets reminds me of the proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child", because our village enables older people to live the best life that they can.

I’m Rob Bennington and I am the Business Deputy Manager here at the Russets Care Home. I work under the General Manager and alongside the Clinical Deputy Manager and the Social Care Deputy Manager
I joined St Monica Trust in February 2009 as a Porter at Sandford Station. I was promoted to Senior Porter in November 2009 and became the Business Deputy Manager in the Russets Care Home in June 2022. My working experience and knowledge of the whole site have put me in good stead for my current role allowing me to make decisions for the benefit of all our residents, staff and relatives.
Prior to this role, I have gained a variety of experiences. At 17 years old I joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Combat Medical Technician with active service in Northern Ireland, Namibia and the Gulf War. After completing of 12 years service with the British Army I spent 9 years doing mainly IT work with 5 years at a cosmetic manufacturing company and 4 years with the Management Reporting Team with Royal London’s Pension Review Team.
I am dedicated to ensuring our residents have the best possible experience at home by ensuring all their needs are met. Although my role is not as customer-focused as it used to be I still try and get around to see them all and have a good rapport with them.
I am very committed to St. Monica Trust and the excellent work they do not just on our sites but also with the support they offer in the general community.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Russets
What types of Care is The Russets registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does The Russets have?
There are 105 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at The Russets?
Minibus or other transport, Wheelchair Access, Ground Floor Accommodation only, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is The Russets to the centre of Winscombe?
1.3 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 The Russets to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Russets has an Enhanced Service -more info.